How Government Staffing Cuts Could Impact the Plan

May 20, 2025

Many different Federal agencies affect the operation of retirement plans. First, Congress enacts the laws that govern plans; then, various entities such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) interpret and carry out those laws.

The most important thing to note is that any recent reduction in workforce experienced by these government agencies will not impact the daily operation of your plan. Instead, because these agencies provide guidance on how to apply retirement plan laws, any future changes to laws that are passed by Congress could take longer to implement.

Additionally, if you need to contact these agencies with a question or to submit information for approval, you will most likely see an increase in wait times. On the other hand, much of the actual processing of forms—such as the Form 5500—is handled electronically and should be unaffected by these events.

If you need anything related to the plan, or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We will work with you to resolve any issues.


This newsletter is intended to provide general information on matters of interest in the area of qualified retirement plans and is distributed with the understanding that the publisher and distributor are not rendering legal, tax or other professional advice. Readers should not act or rely on any information in this newsletter without first seeking the advice of an independent tax advisor such as an attorney or CPA.

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