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We regularly contribute articles to the Journal of Pension Benefits (JPB) and other publications. Ilene serves as co-Editor-in-Chief of the JPB, a quarterly journal for pension professionals.

2010

THE BANKRUPT'S GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: TERMINATING RETIREMENT PLANS IN BANKRUPTCY

By Matt Cristy
In this article, Matt Cristy examines which retirement plans a company may terminate before or during a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the process of terminating retirement plans, the requirements the company must fulfill, and the possible timing.
> View the entire article in PDF format.

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AVOIDING INJURY, INSULT,  AND LOSS: FIXING NONQUALIFIED DOCUMENTS TO PROTECT EXECUTIVES FROM THE RAVAGES OF SECTION  409A

By Matt Cristy
Benefits professionals can save the day for the executives, board members, owners, and other key personnel who have socked away compensation into non qualified deferred compensation plans that contain provisions violating Section 409A’s strict language limits. New correction procedures give employers a one-time chance this year to find and fix costly errors that otherwise will directly hurt their most valued players.
> View the entire article in PDF format.

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2009

THE BANKRUPT'S GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR COMPANY IS IN FINANCIAL STRAITS

By Matt Cristy
When facing the “worst-case scenario”—insolvency, bankruptcy, or the complete failure of the business—a company’s leaders need to review the organization’s employee benefits programs to determine what can be done to help the company and what must be done to avoid plunging the business and its leaders into legal trouble.
> View the entire article in PDF format.

OY, ANOTHER CONVERSION? CAN IT BE PAINLESS?

By Regina L. Farmer
The plan conversion (and deconversion) process depends on assembling the right team for the job, devising a course of action, and digging into the details of the plan. Presented in this article are a few helpful guidelines for plan sponsors facing the challenges of executing a successful conversion.
> View the entire article in PDF format.

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2008

THE QUANTUM LEAP: CHANGING THE 401(k) PLAN INVESTMENT LANDSCAPE

By Ilene Ferenczy
What is the best way to run a retirement program? Employers want employees to properly plan for their retirement futures, but overloading employees with investment information may not be the trick. It’s time to stop treating plan participants like the 401(k) gurus they will never be. QDIAs may be the smartest first step for many participants.
> View the entire article in PDF format