Blue Ridge ESOP Associates Industry News

2018 Employee Ownership Conference

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Apr 17, 2018 11:19:28 AM

2018 Employee Ownership Conference in Atlanta

Are you attending the conference this week? Stop by our booth and enter your business card for a chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation). Our Blue Ridge professionals will be speaking in the following sessions. 

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Topics: Ownership Culture, Distributions, Conferences, Audits, Releveraging your ESOP, Year-End Valuation

The Importance of a Distribution Policy

Posted by Jessica A. Spittel

Sep 8, 2017 2:00:00 PM

Does your company need a written distribution policy?  The purpose of this article is to provide a high level overview of the importance of a written distribution policy and topics to consider. 

Your Plan Document will discuss the requirements for paying out distributions to plan participants once a distributable event occurs - death, disability, retirement, termination, QDROs or diversification.  Some plans also allow for in-service distributions, dividend pass-through, and hardship withdrawals, which you may want to include in your policy. The provisions listed in the document generally fall along the statutory guidelines, which are the maximum payout terms allowed by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Your written distribution policy should address form, method and timing of distributions payouts.

A distribution policy may be part of the plan document, yet most times it is a separate document. A separate document allows for easy modification when the need arises. Qualified plans are subject to IRC Section 411(d)(6) regarding distribution requirement modifications, however ESOPs are an exception to this rule as long as they are updated in a “non-discriminatory” manner. Along with the plan document, the IRS may request to review the policy as part of their determination review process.     

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Topics: Plan Design, Distributions

2017 Multi-State ESOP Conference

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Sep 6, 2017 4:41:03 PM

The 2017 Multi-State Conference - PA/DE and NY/NJ Chapters will be September 13-15, 2017. Due to high demand, you must act quickly as registration will close this Friday, September 8. At this conference, stop by our table to visit with our professionals. You will have the opportunity to hear Jon Williams speak Thursday morning about "Basic ESOP Distribution Rules" which will provide attendees a refresher course in the options and requirements for making distribution payments. You will also have the opportunity to hear Renee Stadtmueller speak Thursday afternoon regarding "How a Repurchase Obligation Study Can Help You Optimize your ESOP" which will discuss how you can use the repurchase study tool to help you make educated decisions as you develop your strategy for managing the ESOP.
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Topics: ESOP Administration, Distributions, Conferences

2017 Midwest ESOP Conference

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Aug 16, 2017 4:21:51 PM

The 2017 Midwest ESOP Conference will be September 7-8, 2017. Due to high demand, you must act quickly as registration will close this Friday, August 18. At this conference, stop by our booth to visit with our professionals. You will also have the opportunity to hear  Pam Themar speak at the session ESOP Essentials: Basic ESOP Administration which will cover the basic overview of plan administration; covering eligibility, allocation activity, vesting requirements, compliance testing, distributions and reporting requirements.
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Topics: ESOP Administration, Distributions, Conferences

Heart of America's 18th Annual Fall ESOP Conference

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Aug 16, 2017 12:39:47 PM

The Heart of America's 18th Annual Fall ESOP Conference is coming up next week! There is still time today to register with the early bird discount here. At this conference, you will have the opportunity to hear Anthony Brunsvold present at one of the sessions about The "4 R's" ~ Reshuffling, Redeeming, Rebalancing & Releveraging. In this advanced session, experienced practitioners will explain the mechanics and consequences of the "4 R's".
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Topics: Distributions, Dividend Rules, Diversification, Conferences

OH/KY ESOP Chapter Thoroughbred Conference

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Jul 25, 2017 4:24:42 PM

The Ohio/Kentucky Thoroughbred ESOP Conference is coming up in August. There is still time to register with the early bird discount here. At this conference, you will have the opportunity to hear Renee Stadtmueller present at the following session about The Three D's of ESOPs: Distributions, Diversification, and Dividends. This session will address the: 1) timing and form of ESOP Distributions; 2) statutory Diversification rules; and, 3) special treatment of Dividends in ESOPs from a legal and administrative perspective. The three "D"s of ESOPS pertain to all ESOP companies and attendees will gain insight and a better understanding of this aspect of their plan's administration.
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Topics: Distributions, Dividend Rules, Diversification, Conferences

The NCEO Fall ESOP Forum

Posted by Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Jul 14, 2017 2:52:47 PM

 

Find the information, ideas, and advice you need to make better ESOP decisions at The Fall ESOP Forum in Tampa, FL, this October 3-4, 2017. Both experienced attendees and newcomers will leave the Fall ESOP Forum better informed and better prepared to evaluate and implement the next steps for their companies. 

Blue Ridge ESOP Associates is proud to be sponsoring this conference with Renee Stadtmueller presenting in the following session.

“ESOP Distribution and Diversification Practices”

Distribution rules have more flexibility than many people think, and finding the right approach can help you make your plan more sustainable

Tuesday, October 3 - 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Renee Stadtmueller, CPA, QPA

Renee is a Director at Blue Ridge ESOP Associates. She has more than 19 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. She is a CPA and holds the QPA designation from ASPPA. She works closely with plan sponsors, accountants, advisors and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design, compliance and operation. She is a member of the NCEO, The ESOP Association, and ASPPA. She has served as a chairperson for ASPPA's Education and Examination ESOP Certificate Subcommittee and as the vice president of programming for the Wisconsin Chapter of The ESOP Association. Renee received her bachelor of business administration in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

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Topics: Distributions, Diversification, Conferences

Potential Tax Savings from a Lump Sum Distribution of Stock

Posted by Dolores P. Lawrence, CPA, QKA

Nov 15, 2016 1:19:55 PM

Some ESOPs permit participants to take a lump sum distribution from their accounts.  Some may provide an option for all or a portion of the distribution to be paid in shares of Employer stock.

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Topics: Distributions, Tax Savings

Experience the Leader in Personalized ESOP & 401(k) Administration

Blue Ridge ESOP Associates can provide everything you need to administer your ESOP, 401(k) or combination ESOP/401(k) plan. Our full service outsourcing, which can include participant on-line services, provides worry-free  assistance for your HR or Benefits staff, leaving them free to concentrate on other responsibilities.

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