In this episode, our BDO co-hosts are joined by Jim Sinnott, CFP, to discuss what the financial wellness program includes for participants.

In this episode, co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka are joined by TY Parrish - Partner at Cerity Partners and co-author of 401(k) Best Practices A Guidebook for Plan Sponsors. In this podcast, TY discusses the common questions that plan sponsors have and what defines a good advisor and how to navigate in finding an advisor.

In this episode, Joanne Szupka discusses the top questions regarding SECURE 2.0.

In this episode, Joanne Szupka is joined by Nicole Parnell to discuss the changes to the 2023 Form 5500. The discussion focuses on the changes to the methodology for counting participants in defined contribution plans for purposes of determining eligibility for small plan reporting options: • What current plan sponsors need to consider for the form and methodology changes • Timing of the mandatory distributions for terminated participants • Timing of employer contributions • Automatic...

In this episode, Joanne Szupka is joined by Maria Thiel & Blake Head to discuss the world of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) & SECURE 2.0. The discussion focuses on the three provisions in SECURE 2.0 that relate to ESOPs: • Deferral of tax for certain sales of employer stock to employee stock ownership plans sponsored by S Corporations starting in 2028. • Certain securities treated as publicly traded in case of employee stock ownership plans. • Worker Ownership, Readiness, and...

In this episode, Joanne Szupka is joined by Norma Sharara, BDO Managing Director, National Tax Office, Compensation & Benefits to discuss potential challenges with automatic enrollment and long-term part-time employees, including historical context and expansion to 403(b) plans.

In this episode, co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka are joined by Antony Hacking, partner with C-Global Consulting to discuss courageous leadership, the importance of psychological safety and managing difficult conversations. The discussion focuses on actionable tactics and techniques to strengthen your professional relationships.

Continuing our two-part series, co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka is joined by Steve Combs, Managing Director, Cloud Security & Infrastructure (CS&I), BDO Digital to continue their discussion of DOL’s cybersecurity guidance and how it helps combats the growing threat of cybercrime to ERISA-covered retirement plans. Get answers to the key questions plan sponsors might have regarding the scope of the guidance, along with the following three forms that come with it: Tips for Hiring...

On April 14, 2022, the Department of Labor (DOL) outlined a range of practices for combatting the growing threat of cybercrime to ERISA-covered retirement plans. Co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka sit down with Greg Schu, Partner, Cybersecurity – National PCI Compliance Lead, BDO Digital, to discuss the implications of guidelines and what steps plan sponsors can take to help safeguard plan assets and participants’ vital information.

In many cases, the people costs are some of the highest costs an organization has — which presents both opportunity and risk. Exploring the opportunity and risk ahead of a merger or acquisition is known as the HR due diligence process. Co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka sit down with Liz Mack, who is the Managing Director, Workforce in Transactions Leader for Global Employer Services at BDO, USA to discuss the process for and benefits of reviewing how a target supports its workforce...

Are you thinking about offering cryptocurrency in your retirement plan? Continuing our two-part series, co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka is joined by Dave Gray, who is on the Workplace Investing Executive Management Team and serves as the Head of Workplace Retirement Platforms, Workplace Investing for Fidelity, along with Sterling Ingui, who is a Product Area Leader for Next Gen Retirement in Workplace Investing and NC Regional Leader at Fidelity Investments. Get answers to the key...

Are you thinking about offering cryptocurrency in your retirement plan? Learn the basics. Co-hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka sit down with Sterling Ingui, who is a Product Area Leader for Next Gen Retirement in Workplace Investing and NC Regional Leader at Fidelity Investments. They discuss the fundamentals of cryptocurrencies, including the definition and different types available, as well as the interesting history behind this digital currency.

Upcoming legislation for greater access to workplace retirement savings

Best practices for ESG investing and cybersecurity.

The earlier you start saving, the more resources you will have.

Beth Garner talks with David Friedman, founder and CEO of High Performing Culture, LLC and author of Fundamentally Different and Culture by Design: How to Build a High-Performing Culture, Even in the New Remote Work Environment. In today’s episode, David shares why culture is the biggest opportunity for companies to have a competitive and sustainable edge against their competitors and explains how leaders can create and implement their culture plan.

Things to keep in mind when an employee is working remotely and/or in a different state/country.

In our February episode, Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka follow up on their ESOP series and sit down with Laura Robertson to talk more about ESOP administration and auditing practices. Laura is a Senior Manager in Retirement Plan Services within BDO’s Global Employer Services practice. She brings with her 20 years of experience in retirement planning and 10 years with ESOP administration and setup. This episode is Part 2 of our ESOP series and provides more insight into the latest with ESOPs.

In our January episode, we are joined by Howard “Howie” Gerver, the Founder and President of HR Best Practices and self-proclaimed “HR Data Geek.” HR Best Practices is a leading health insurance/benefits administration and technology company specializing in eligibility, benefits administration, Affordable Care Act IRS compliance, performance integrity and health equity. Howie shares his insights on dependent and working spouse audits and how they can bring about cost savings.

In our December episode BDO’s Jason Brooks, Managing Director and Compensation Consulting Leader, joins Joanne Szupka to discuss the Great Resignation and the challenges companies, employers, and HR professionals are currently facing. Jason shares his insights on the remote work environment, talent retention, creative ways to structure benefit plans, and so much more.

On this episode host Joanne Szupka sits down with BDO’s Blake Head to talk about Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and what it means for an organization to offer an ESOP. Blake is a Partner and leader of BDO’s ESOP Advisory Services practice and regularly advises companies on how to structure their organization to offer competitive plans to their employees. This episode is part one of two and provides an overview of ESOPs and highlights some of the benefits.

Our hosts Beth Garner and Joanne Szupka take a break from deadlines to talk about ERISA Violations. The GAO released an in-depth report on some of the biggest violations happening within this space. Our hosts cover everything from duty of disclosure to fiduciary self-dealing. This is an important episode you don’t want to miss.

David Levine, Principal and Co-Chair of the Plan Sponsor Practice with Groom Law Group, returns to discuss the DOL’s guidance on cybersecurity and how plan sponsors should prepare for the possible impacts the guidelines could have on enforcement audits in the future.

Hosts Beth and Joanne are excited to welcome David Levine, Principal and Co-Chair of the Plan Sponsor Practice with Groom Law Group. David advises plan sponsors, advisors, and other service providers on a wide range of employee benefits matters, from retirement and executive compensation to health and welfare. Today David shares what is at the core of ERISA lawsuits, what pitfalls fiduciaries should avoid, and the trends he sees impacting ERISA litigation today.