Our Blog - Surety Matters

Identity Protection: Using Video To protect retirement accounts from fraudulent withdrawals, at least one service provider, BPAS, is implementing the use of live video to validate participant identity on some transactions. How might stepped up…
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  Head’s up for plan sponsors: Enhanced audit requirements go into effect on December 15. Aimed at reducing the deficiencies of limited-scope audits, the new audit standard requires a written report from plan sponsors, attesting…
Read Moreabout Audit Changes: Written Reports

  Simply stated, inheritance litigation occurs when there is conflict over how the assets of someone who dies are distributed. Legal experts offer examples as well as some common reasons for litigation—and how to avoid…
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Probate: True or False? There tends to be a lot of confusion about what happens during the probate process. Simply put, probate makes our affairs public when we die, with the court supervising the distribution of…
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Legal experts address the fears that hold many families back from putting estate plans in place, providing encouragement and information to help jump-start the effort. Remember, almost everyone has an estate and thoughtful planning, even…
Read Moreabout Estate Planning: Proceed!

  Yes! When a trust is created, the trustor (or grantor) names a trustee to administer the assets in accordance with their wishes. Trustees are fiduciaries—held to the highest duty of care in executing their…
Read Moreabout Are Trustees Fiduciaries?

  Alleging a variety of ERISA violations, the former participants of a KPMG 401(k) plan are suing the company—and the plan fiduciaries. The complaint has been filed in U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey,…
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  Making guaranteed lifetime income options more readily available through 401(k) plans is a list topper for plan providers—and employers— these days. Here’s why—and an example of how Blackrock is proceeding.   Guaranteed Lifetime Income?…
Read Moreabout Decisions, Decisions: Annuities?

  Across the country, more and more women are making it: whiskey. Science finds that women have a nuanced sense of smell—a big asset when assessing fermentation. Mentors are opening doors and entrepreneurial success stories…
Read Moreabout Trending Now: Whiskey Business