The recent checks from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBS) likely stem from a 2012 class action antitrust lawsuit settlement, in which BCBS agreed in 2020 to pay over $2 billion to eligible individuals and employers with BCBS health plans. Employers had to file claims by 2021 to receive funds from the settlement.

Bloomberg Law’s article discusses the Department of Labor’s efforts to simplify the prohibited transaction exemption process, highlighting potential impacts on retirement plan asset managers and fiduciaries. Groom principal Scott Mayland noted that the DOL could leverage its exemption authority to promote innovation and reconsider elements of the Biden-era exemption framework.

The article proposes establishing a federal Defined Contribution Cybersecurity Insurance Corporation (DCCIC) to insure retirement assets in defined contribution plans against cybercrime losses, filling a gap where current ERISA and other laws often leave affected participants without recovery options. The DCCIC would provide financial compensation, promote cybersecurity best practices, assess risks, and support breach investigations, funded by premiums from plan sponsors and service providers.

Kevin Walsh of Groom highlights that Keith Sonderling’s nomination to head the Department of Labor may lead to increased EBSA guidance for plan sponsors and service providers, offering clearer fiduciary and compliance expectations to help navigate complex requirements proactively.

In the July 2026 issue of Taxes – The Tax Magazine®, Groom principals Elizabeth Dold and David Levine discuss the IRS’s 2026 cumulative list of changes for Cycle 4 pre-approved defined benefit plans, highlighting key qualification updates and the upcoming opinion letter filing period. They advise plan document providers and sponsors to prepare for updates incorporating SECURE Act changes, with just over a year to submit revised plans to the IRS.

The Treasury Department's 2026 regulatory agenda includes final and proposed regulations on retirement plans and executive compensation, such as updated required minimum distributions under SECURE 2.0, automatic enrollment rules, and new rules on employer matching contributions for student loan payments, with several previously planned items notably absent. Key deadlines for these regulations range from July to November 2026.

A recent Department of Labor audit resulted in recommendations for three agencies, as reported by Andrew Oringer on PLANSPONSOR on July 8, 2026. The article detailing these findings was initially published by The Wagner Law Group.

Marshal S. Grant has joined The Wagner Law Group’s Boston office, as announced in a press release dated July 7, 2026. The announcement was originally published on The Wagner Law Group’s website.

Anthony G. Provenzano has joined The Wagner Law Group’s Washington, D.C. office, as announced in a press release dated July 6, 2026. This marks his addition to the firm’s team in the capital.

The article discusses key attributes that make a provider partnership genuinely fiduciary-ready, emphasizing the importance of transparency, alignment of interests, and comprehensive support to plan sponsors. It highlights how providers can demonstrate fiduciary readiness through clear communication, adherence to regulatory standards, and offering services that prioritize the clients' best interests.