Live & Recorded Webcasts by ASC
- Rehires in Qualified Plans
- Register
- April 11, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Rehired employees often cause significant difficulties in administering qualified plans. This webcast discusses many of the unique issues facing plan sponsors and record-keepers in applying the eligibility and distribution rules for rehired employees.
In this webcast John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., will cover the following topics:
- Applying eligibility rules to determine when employees must be allowed to participate upon rehire
- Timing of cash-out distributions and the procedures for dealing with repayments/restorations
- Correctly calculating vesting for rehired employees
- Dealing with rehired employees under automatic deferral arrangements
- Applying the break-in-service rules and the difficulties of dealing with rehired employees under 401(k) plans
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- ERISA 403(b) Plans vs. Non-ERISA 403(b) Plans
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- May 16, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Plan Design and Compliance Testing Issues for Controlled Groups
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- June 6, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Special Qualified Plan Rules for Churches and Governmental Entities
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- July 11, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Hardship Withdrawals from 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) Plans
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- August 8, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
The hardship rules can vary greatly, depending on the type of plan you are dealing with. It is important that administrators understand these differences!
In this webcast John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., will cover the following topics:
- How the recent changes in the rules and regulations impact hardship withdrawals
- The differences between hardship withdrawals from 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans
- And much more!
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Administrative Challenges of Dealing with Participant Deaths
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- September 5, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Military Benefits under Qualified Plans
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- September 19, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- 457(b) Plans for Tax Exempt and Governmental Entities
- Register
- October 3, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Current Developments (2019)
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- November 7, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: All Levels
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Ethics for Employee Benefit Practitioners
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- December 12, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: All Levels
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- WEBCAST SERIES: Basics of 401(k) Plans Series for 2019
- Purchase
- January - February 2019

- Basics of 401(k) Plans (2019) Part 1January 10, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
Whether you are new to the qualified retirement plan field or just need a refresher on the rules applicable to 401(k) plans, this webcast series is for you!
This webcast series focuses solely on the unique aspects and features of 401(k) plans which are imperative to retirement plan practitioners.
Among the topics that will be covered in Part 1:
- Introduction to 401(k) Plans
- Popular plan designs
- Plan documents and IRS approval
- Eligibility, coverage and vesting rules
- Plan communication and participant enrollment
- Deduction rules

- Basics of 401(k) Plans (2019) Part 2January 24, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
Whether you are new to the qualified retirement plan field or just need a refresher on the rules applicable to 401(k) plans, this webcast series is for you!
This webcast series focuses solely on the unique aspects and features of 401(k) plans which are imperative to retirement plan practitioners.
Among the topics that will be covered in Part 2:
- Limitations on contributions
- Compensation definitions
- Determining "highly compensated employees"
- Application of the nondiscrimination rules, including ADP/ACP testing
- Safe harbor and automatic enrollment plans, including QACAs and EACAs
- Top heavy plan requirements
- Loans, distributions and taxation
- And much more!

- Basics of 401(k) Plans (2019) Part 3February 07, 2019 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
Whether you are new to the qualified retirement plan field or just need a refresher on the rules applicable to 401(k) plans, this webcast series is for you!
This webcast series focuses solely on the unique aspects and features of 401(k) plans which are imperative to retirement plan practitioners.
Among the topics that will be covered in Part 3:
- Fiduciary concerns, including timely deposits of elective deferrals
- Plan investments and participant direction
- Form 5500 and other government filing requirements
- Terminating a 401(k) plan
- IRS/DOL correction programs
- New Hardship Distribution Rules for 401(k) Plans
- Purchase
- January 31, 2019
- Duration: 1 Hour
- Continuing Education Credits: 1
- Level: All Levels
In this one-hour webcast, John Griffin will review the important aspects of the regulations that every practitioner should know.
Topics will include:
- New hardship distribution events
- Elimination of the 6-month suspension and loan requirements
- New participant self-certification for hardship distributions
- Plan amendments and operational checklists
- Impact on 403(b) plans
- Transitional effective date rules
- Outstanding questions and issues
Qualifies for 1 hour of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Ethics 2018
- Purchase
- December 13, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: All Levels
Join John Griffin J.D., LL.M. for a discussion of the ethical issues employee benefit practitioners need to know.
Topics that will be discussed by John include:
- An overview of ethical responsibilities
- An explanation of IRS Circular 230 from an employee benefits perspective
- The most significant ethical concerns of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility
- And new practical case studies on ethical situations faced by practitioners
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA.
- Current Developments (2018)
- Purchase
- November 8, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: All Levels
Don't let your professional knowledge of qualified plans become outdated! Join John Griffin, J.D., LL.M. as he discusses what you need to know about the latest developments in the retirement plan industry.
During this 2-hour, CE credit webcast, John will provide you with the latest on IRS, Department of Labor, PBGC and legislative proposals.
Topics that will be covered include:
- Pre-Approved defined contribution plan submissions for Cycle 3
- Status of pre-approved 403(b) plan restatements
- Final regulations on the use of forfeitures to fund QNECs, QMACs and safe harbor contributions
- Changes in hardship distribution rules for 2019
- Guidance on plan qualification rules for church plans
- Status of fiduciary regulations
- Form 5500 developments
- Changes to disability claims procedures
- Final missing participant regulations
- Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act
- Family Savings Act
- Other retirement-related legislative proposals
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA.
- Plan Terminations
- Purchase
- October 11, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Among the topics we will discuss are:
- Making the Decision to Terminate a Plan
- Consequences of Plan Termination
- Participant Rights
- Process of Terminating a Defined Contribution Plan
- IRS' Position on Partial Plan Terminations and the Vesting of Participants
- How to handle lost or non-responsive participants
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Safe Harbor Plans
- Purchase
- September 13, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Topics will include:
- Best fits for using a Safe Harbor Plan
- Choosing the best type of Safe Harbor contribution for your client
- Notice requirements
- Creative plan designs that can be used to maximize benefits for the owners/HCEs
- Mid-year suspension of Safe Harbor contributions
- Amending or discontinuing a Safe Harbor Plan
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Loans, Hardships and other In-Service Withdrawals
- Purchase
- July 12, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
- Plan loans
- Prohibited transaction exemption
- Tax requirements under Code §72(p)
- Refinancing a plan loan
- Dealing with loan defaults
- Correction of loan errors
- Hardship and other in-service distributions
- Permissible in-service withdrawal events
- Hardship withdrawal requirements, including documentation
- Correction of hardship withdrawal errors
- Recent legislative changes affecting plan loans and hardship withdrawals
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Cash Balance Plans
- Purchase
- June 21, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
Cash balance plans are a popular plan design option for both defined benefit and defined contribution practitioners.
Join John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., and Valerie Lopez, FSA, EA, MSPA, MAAA, for a discussion of how cash balance plans can be used to substantially increase the retirement benefits for designated employees.
This session will focus on cash balance plan design from the perspective of defined contribution practitioners.
Topics to be covered will include:
- How cash balance plans work
- The type of employers for whom such plans are suitable
- Sample cash balance formulas
- Combining cash balance plans with existing cross-tested defined contribution plans
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Core.
Valerie joined ASC in 2012 and is the Chief Actuary for ASC DB Support. Valerie is an FSA, EA, MSPA, and MAAA and has worked in the actuarial industry for more than 27 years.
- WEBCAST SERIES: Fundamentals of Qualified Retirement Plans for 2018
- Purchase
- January - April 2018

- Part 1January 18, 2018 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
Attendees may choose to register for individual sessions or the entire series.
In the first class, John Griffin J.D., LL.M., will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Qualified Plans
- Participation
- Coverage and Vesting
- Related Employers
- Plan Types
- Contributions and Allocations
- Defined Benefit Formulas
- And Accruals
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.

- Part 2February 01, 2018 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
In the second class of the series, John Griffin J.D., LL.M., will cover the following topics:
- Limitations on Contributions and Benefits
- Compensation Definitions
- General Nondiscrimination Testing
- ADP/ACP Testing
- Safe Harbor and Automatic Enrollment Plans

- Part 3February 15, 2018 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
- Top-Heavy
- Deduction Rules
- Plan Distributions
- Taxation of Distributions
- Spousal Rights
- Rollovers and Required Minimum Distributions

- Part 4April 12, 2018 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
- Participant Loans
- QDROs
- Death Benefits
- Plan Termination
- Fiduciary Responsibilities and Prohibited Transactions
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.

- Part 5April 26, 2018 | 2:00 PM ET
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
- Plan Documents
- Plan Communications
- IRS/DOL Audits: Plan Correction Programs and Government Filings
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, ARA, NIPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- RMDs and Plan Distributions
- Purchase
- March 22, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: All Levels
Topics that will be covered by John Griffin J.D., LL.M., include:
- Calculation of RMD amounts
- Spousal and non-spousal death benefits
- Treatment of rollovers and transfers after age 70½
- RMD rules under Roth 401(k) plans
- Distribution Notice requirements
- Dealing with "lost participants"
- QJSA requirements
- Lifetime income options
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Prep for Compliance Testing Season - Advanced Level
- Purchase
- January 4, 2018
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Advanced
In this 2-hour CE credit webcast, John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., will discuss:
- Common errors related to compliance testing
- Methods for improving test results
- Correction options for dealing with testing errors.
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Non-Core.
- Plan Mergers & Acquisitions
- Purchase
- July 20, 2017
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
In this 2-hour CE credit webcast, John Griffin, J.D., LL.M. discusses these unique issues and presents a checklist of items that sponsors and practitioners must address when dealing with a merger or acquisition situation.
Join John Griffin, J.D., LL.M. on this recorded webcast, as he shows you how to deal with plan mergers and acquisitions methodically and thoroughly.
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Core.
- Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs)
- Purchase
- May 18, 2017
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Beginner
A multiple employer plan (MEP) is an employee benefit plan that two or more unrelated employers maintain. Inconsistencies in DOL and IRS regulations make it imperative to keep up to date on the rules that impact the administration of these plans.
Join John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., May 18th, for a webcast discussion concerning the rules and regulations applicable to MEPs.
Among the topics will be:
- What is a MEP?
- The special rules applicable to MEPs
- Why employers use the MEP approach
- Proposed legislative changes for MEPs
- And much more!
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Core.
- Compensation
- Purchase
- March 30, 2017
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Intermediate
The IRS has identified the use of incorrect compensation as one of the most common qualification errors in plans.
Join John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., March 30th, for a webcast discussion that will clarify the complex and confusing issues you, the retirement plan administrator face, regarding compensation under qualified plans.
Among the topics will be:
- Different definitions of compensation that may apply under a qualified plan
- Common problems and correction options with respect to plan compensation
- How the definition of compensation can be used to improve testing results
- Compensation issues for partnerships and self-employed individuals
- And much more!
Join industry expert and ERISA attorney, John Griffin, J.D., LL.M., for the webcast. John will answer all questions after the webcast.
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA Core.
- Advanced Cross-testing
- Purchase
- July 23, 2015
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
- Level: Advanced
Bring your expertise to the next level
In this follow-up to our June 25th Basics of Cross-testing webcast, we will explore some of the advanced issues that arise with respect to cross-tested plan designs. We will discuss creative methods for correcting new comparability cross-tested plans, advanced testing options, and using cross-testing under combined defined contribution and defined benefit plans, including cash balance plans.
In particular, we will cover:
- Common problems faced when designing new comparability plan documents.
- Using Treas. Reg. §1.401(a)(4)-11(g) to retroactively correct a nondiscrimination test failure.
- Using creative testing options, including plan restructuring, to improve test results.
- Running a nondiscrimination test for combined defined contribution and cash balance plans.
Join industry expert and ERISA attorney, Charles Lockwood, J.D., LL.M., for the webcast.
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA.
- Basics of Cross-testing
- Purchase
- June 25, 2015
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Continuing Education Credits: 2
Cross-testing is not only for designing plans that provide greater benefits for older highly compensated employees. While usually associated with "new-comparability" plans, cross-testing also can be used to help plans satisfy minimum coverage or correct other nondiscrimination failures!
This webcast will provide attendees with a thorough understanding of the basics of cross-testing and will also discuss:
- When cross-testing can be used to help plans satisfy coverage and nondiscrimination failures
- The methodology for converting contributions to benefits
- How such equivalent benefits can be used for purposes of coverage and nondiscrimination testing
- Other situations where cross-testing can be used to assist in plan design
Qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits for ERPA, NIPA, ASPPA, Enrolled Agent and JBEA.
ASC also provides Private Training.