Retirement Plans

Retirement plan administration means navigating ERISA fiduciary rules, prohibited transactions, nondiscrimination testing, and IRS correction programs. In 2 days, you'll master the regulations that keep your 401(k) and pension plans compliant and protected. Real compliance strategies from practicing benefits attorneys.

Delivery Options:
In Person
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46+ YEARS
Employment Law Training
|
80,000+
Certificates Earned
|
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS
Not Academics

Build Retirement Plan Expertise That Protects Plans and Limits Liability

Retirement Plans is 2 intensive days where you'll master ERISA fiduciary rules, 401(k) administration, nondiscrimination testing, and voluntary correction programs—working through real plan scenarios with experienced benefits attorneys, not checklists and theory.

What Sets This Program Apart

  • Complete ERISA framework – Fiduciary obligations, prohibited transactions, 404(c) protection, and cofiduciary liability
  • 401(k) administration mastery – Participant loans, salary deferrals, hardship distributions, and QDRO processing
  • Nondiscrimination testing – Coverage rules, ADP/ACP testing, safe harbors, and failed test corrections
  • Professional certification – Earn your certificate plus 13 SHRM/HRCI/CLE continuing education credits
  • Benefits beyond the classroom – Your investment includes quarterly legal updates, faculty access, and alumni resources that keep you current year-round. View participant benefits →
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What You'll Master in 2 Days

A comprehensive retirement plan framework covering ERISA compliance, fiduciary rules, plan administration, nondiscrimination testing, distributions, and audit defense.

Master the Regulatory Landscape

Navigate Title I and Title II, understand agency jurisdiction.

Foundation

ERISA fundamentals

Navigate Title I and Title II, understand the division of authority between IRS, DOL, and PBGC.

Foundation

Plan qualification requirements

Learn what makes plans compliant and what triggers disqualification.

Advanced

The alphabet soup decoded

Master ERISA, ADA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, and how each impacts your plans.

Advanced

Regulatory agency roadmap

Know which agency has jurisdiction over what and how to work with each effectively.

Advanced

Expense management

Learn what expenses can be paid from plan assets without triggering problems.

Expert

Prohibited transactions

Identify violations before they happen, understand exemptions and correction procedures.

Expert

Investment liability

Know who's liable when investments go bad and how to protect yourself.

Expert

404(c) protection

Determine if participant-directed investment is worth the compliance burden.

Expert

Service provider liability

Understand cofiduciary rules and when providers share your risk.

Advanced

Participant loans

Set up loan programs that comply without creating administrative nightmares.

Advanced

Salary deferrals

Manage contributions and catch-up elections properly.

Advanced

Blackout periods

Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley notification requirements.

Advanced

Section 204(h) notices

Provide required notices without triggering participant concerns.

Expert

QDRO processing

Handle domestic relations orders correctly the first time.

Advanced

HCE identification

Correctly identify highly compensated employees under current rules.

Advanced

Failed test corrections

Fix problems quickly using the methods that work.

Expert

Coverage rules mastery

Navigate Section 410(b) testing including controlled group rules and QSLOB exceptions.

Expert

401(k) and 401(m) testing

Handle ADP/ACP tests and know your safe harbor options.

Expert

Cross-testing strategies

Use age-weighted profit sharing to maximize owner benefits legally.

Advanced

Distribution triggers

Know when participants can access funds and what restrictions apply.

Advanced

Withholding and rollovers

Handle tax withholding correctly and facilitate smooth rollovers.

Advanced

Hardship distributions

Process hardships that satisfy IRS safe harbors.

Expert

Required minimum distributions

Calculate and distribute RMDs at age 70½ without errors.

Expert

Anti-cutback rules

Navigate Section 411(d)(6) when eliminating distribution options.

Advanced

IRS audit targets

Know what triggers audits and how to avoid red flags.

Advanced

Late filing solutions

Handle late 5500 filings and minimize penalties.

Expert

Voluntary correction programs

Use EPCRS to fix errors before IRS discovers them.

Expert

DOL compliance programs

Correct fiduciary violations through VFCP.

Expert

Qualification preservation

Keep plans qualified even when problems arise.

Ready to Transform Your Workplace?

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Choose Your Format. Not Your Quality.

This program is available in-person, featuring practicing attorneys, current content, and professional credits you need.

Hotel Details

Practicing Attorneys, Not Academics

Learn from employment law attorneys who practice what they teach. Your instructors actively handle union campaigns, defend discrimination charges, and win employment law cases - then share exactly what works in real courtrooms and workplaces.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Ray is widely regarded as a dean of labor and employment law, known for his encyclopedic knowledge and unmatched command of workplace regulations. For over 40 years, he has represented management nationwide, blending a powerhouse advisory practice with a formidable litigation record.

Read Ray's full bio →
John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

Partner, Labor & Employment at Thompson Hine LLP

John F. Wymer is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney and partner in Thompson Hine LLP's Labor & Employment group. With decades of experience, he represents public and private sector employers nationwide in employment discrimination, wage-and-hour, labor negotiations, union matters, ERISA claims, and more.

Read John's full bio →
Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Founder, Law Offices of Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams is a distinguished employment and labor law attorney based in Colorado Springs. As the founder of his own firm, he advises and represents employers on a wide range of issues including employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour compliance, and traditional labor law.

Read Wayne's full bio →
Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Of Counsel, Kubik Workplace & Investigative Services

Dawn Kubik is an employment attorney and founder of Kubik Workplace and Investigative Services and Dawn R. Kubik, P.C. With a legal career spanning since 1997, she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in employment, personal injury, contract, and insurance disputes, earning a reputation as a strategic, well-prepared, and highly communicative advocate.

Read Dawn's full bio →
Patrick Scully

Patrick Scully, Esq.

Partner at Foley Hoag

Patrick Scully primarily focuses on labor law issues and helps clients successfully navigate complex and persistent claims from international and local labor unions. Patrick's work includes unfair labor practice charges and representation cases as well as federal and state court litigation. He frequently advises employers in collective bargaining negotiations and handles labor arbitration.

Read Patrick's full bio →
Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Senior Corporate Counsel, White Cap

Rudi is Senior In-House Counsel at White Cap, where she counsels and defends the organization as it responds to administrative agency complaints, potential litigation, and employee lawsuits. Drawing on extensive experience in labor and employment law, she supports leaders and HR professionals in navigating complex workplace issues.

Read Rudi's full bio →
Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C.

Jacqueline E. Kalk represents and advises management across industries including manufacturing, construction, crowd-sourcing, and virtual companies. She focuses on independent contractor classification, wage-and-hour compliance, equal pay, and employment litigation, defending clients in state and federal courts.

Read Jacqueline's full bio →
Grant S. Gibeau

Grant S. Gibeau

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Grant Gibeau is a partner in Taft's Minneapolis Employment and Labor Relations practice group. Grant's practice primarily focuses on helping employers navigate all aspects of the employment relationship, from identifying workplace best practices and policies, drafting employee handbooks, and vigorously defending against claims.

Read Grant's full bio →
Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Amy represents employers across industries including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. She advises on employee relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining, harassment prevention, and compliance with key employment laws like Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and FCRA.

Read Amy's full bio →

✨ Exclusive Attendee Benefits

  • Pre-Program Consultation

    Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

  • Professional Credits

    Earn 13 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits—more than most HR professionals earn in two years.

  • Ongoing Development

    12 months of quarterly employment law updates keep you current as regulations change.

  • Alumni Advantages

    $300-$500 off all future programs—for you and every colleague you refer.

Pre-Program Consultation

Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

Quick Answers

We know you're busy. Here's what you actually need to know.

Within minutes, you'll receive an invoice email. Once payment is processed, you can schedule your complimentary pre-program consultation (10-15 minutes) to discuss your specific retirement plan challenges and identify which regulatory topics will have the biggest impact for your organization. Pre-program materials arrive one week before your session starts.
The 2-day program provides 13 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits. Plus, your enrollment includes 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions x 1.5 credits each = 6 additional credits), bringing your total to 19 credits.
Yes. Retirement Plans is Block I of the full Certificate in Employee Benefits Law program. You can take it as a standalone 2-day program, or combine it with Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation (Block II) and Welfare Benefits Plan Issues (Block III) to earn the full certificate.
Absolutely. A significant portion of the program covers 401(k)-specific topics including participant loans, salary deferrals, ADP/ACP testing, safe harbor options, and hardship distributions. You'll also learn fiduciary rules and correction programs that apply to all qualified plans.
Yes. The program covers IRS audit triggers, voluntary correction programs (EPCRS), and strategies for fixing plan errors. The pre-program consultation is the perfect time to share your audit situation (confidentially) so our team can point you to the most relevant content.
Yes. Your enrollment includes all live instruction from practicing ERISA attorneys, complete program materials, 13 continuing education credits, pre-program consultation, 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions, $1,588 value), permanent access to updated resources, and alumni benefits for all future programs. The only additional cost would be travel and lodging if you choose in-person format.
Yes. Retirement Plans (Block I) counts toward the full certificate. You can complete the remaining blocks—Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation (Block II) and Welfare Benefits Plan Issues (Block III)—at any future session to earn the complete Certificate in Employee Benefits Law.

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