Employee Benefits Attorney John Schembari, a partner at Kutak Rock, spoke at the Plan Sponsor Council of America’s (PSCA) Defined Contribution Plan Conference held in Omaha on March 15, 2016. He served as both a guest presenter and as a panelist on a five-person PSCA discussion forum.

The annual symposium focuses on topics important to defined contribution retirement plan sponsors, fiduciaries, managers and committee members. Schembari's presentation, "The Legal and Legislative Landscape," highlighted recently proposed legislation, regulatory developments and case law impacting sponsors and fiduciaries of defined contribution retirement plans.

Among the regulatory changes looming for retirement plan sponsors, Schembari offered guidance on selecting benefit plan auditors, discussed mid-year changes to Safe Harbor Plans (IRS Notice 2016-16) as well changes to the Determination Letter Program (IRS Notice 2016-03). In connection with the Internal Revenue Service ending the Determination Letter Program after January 2017, Mr. Schembari also discussed the Kutak Rock Retirement Plan Opinion Letter Program.

"PSCA offers an incredible conference," Schembari said. "Few organizations offer a better opportunity for business leaders to peer into the future, manage and protect their retirement system. Kutak Rock is proud to be a part of the PSCA."

Schembari serves as chair of the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation group. He works with private, public and governmental employers on their qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

For an outline of the talk, please click on the file below.