SECURE 2.0 Act – More Relief for Plan Administrators
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
Release Date: 05/04/2023
Balancing Benefits: GLP-1s and Workforce Well-Being
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Caroline Susie of MercerWELL about the rise of GLP-1 medications. They discuss how these drugs work, why they’re transforming weight loss, and the tough questions employers face—from whether to cover them, to managing costs, to what else is needed to best support a healthier workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, benefits administrator, or simply curious about the changing landscape of employee health, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating one of the most pressing topics in workforce benefits today.
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Alternative Investments in 401(k)s: Risk, Rules & Reality
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
With growing interest in alternative investments—from private equity and digital assets to ESG—defined contribution plan sponsors face both fresh opportunities and heightened scrutiny. In this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, Principal Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, to explore how plan sponsors can assess these emerging asset classes, weigh participant demand, and use tools such as self-directed brokerage windows. They also examine the implications of President Trump’s August 7, 2025, executive order, which directs the Department...
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Cost, Care, and Captives: A Mid-Size Employer’s Guide to Benefit Trends
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Christian Mosier, president of BenX Consulting Group, to explore what’s really driving benefit strategy for midsize employers heading into 2026. We’ll explore the rising interest in self-funding and group captives, as well as the growing demand for pharmacy benefit transparency, especially in the wake of high-cost drugs. Plus, we’ll talk about how benefits—like mental health support, PTO, and even contribution strategy—are becoming critical retention tools in a competitive labor market.
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ESOPs Explained
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
Thinking about succession planning, employee engagement, or selling your business? On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Nona Massengill, a partner focusing on Executive Compensation. Nona demystifies Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) from a business owner’s perspective. She breaks down what an ESOP is (and what it’s not), who can implement one, and how these plans can create meaningful tax advantages and culture-building opportunities for companies taxed as corporations.
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Gag Clause Prohibitions
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses prohibitive gag clauses under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). While intended to promote transparency, not all gag clauses are obvious. With new guidance from the Department of Labor now in effect, what exactly must plan administrators do to comply? From identifying problematic provisions to submitting the required attestations, we break down the practical and legal implications of this evolving compliance requirement.
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Forfeitures Under Fire
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt unpacks the growing legal controversy surrounding the use of forfeitures in retirement plans. With numerous lawsuits recently filed, plan sponsors and administrators are facing heightened scrutiny—and potential liability—over how forfeited funds are handled. We’ll discuss the evolving guidance from the Department of Labor, and what these lawsuits could mean for your fiduciary responsibilities.
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Navigating Fiduciary Responsibilities in a Tide-Turning ESG Era
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Ken Barnes, vice president of investment consulting at SageView Advisory Group, who discusses the recent federal ruling against American Airlines, which has set a precedent that could reshape how corporate fiduciaries approach investment oversight and governance. They’ll explore why fiduciary duty to loyalty is under scrutiny and best practices for plan sponsors to avoid similar lawsuits.
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Big Changes to Catch-Up Contributions in 2025
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses big changes to contributions to retirement plans under SECURE 2.0 that begin in 2025. He covers the new “Super Catch-Up” contributions for 2025 and the required Roth catch-up contributions for high earners coming in 2026.
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Good News for the ACA in 2025
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) positively impacting employers in 2025. He covers what’s new with reporting requirements designed to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and the subsequent implications of these changes for human resource professionals and benefits administrators.
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Tax Relief and Possible Retirement Plan Resources for Hurricane Victims
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Kyle Wingfield, a partner in Williams Mullen’s Tax Section, who discusses the recently announced IRS tax relief for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Brydon also discusses ways employers may provide financial relief to Hurricane victims through their retirement plans.
info_outlineOn this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt shares more good news for benefit plan administrators, this time under the banner of the SECURE 2.0 Act. Highlights include a discussion of the relief granted for the self-correction process and the recovery of inadvertent benefit overpayments.