Most 401(k) plan sponsors must adopt required and discretionary amendments reflecting major retirement plan legislation—including the CARES Act, SECURE Act, and SECURE 2.0 Act—by December 31, 2026. For many employers, plans have already been operating under these changes, but written plan documents now need to catch up.
Join Barclay Damon’s Employee Benefits Practice Area attorneys for a practical webinar designed to help plan sponsors, HR and benefits professionals, in-house counsel, fiduciary committee members, and business leaders understand what must be reviewed before year-end.
The program will explain the difference between required and discretionary amendments, identify common compliance considerations, and outline steps employers can take now to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Attendees will leave with an actionable checklist to help evaluate applicable amendments, coordinate with recordkeepers and third-party administrators, and document next steps before the adoption deadline.
Key Takeaways
- Which 401(k) plan amendments may be required before December 31, 2026
- How required amendments differ from discretionary amendments
- What plan sponsors should review with providers, recordkeepers, TPAs, and counsel
- Potential compliance risks of missing the deadline
- Practical steps to begin preparing now
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Noon–1:00 p.m. EDT
This webinar is complimentary. If you are unable to attend live, register to receive webinar materials after the program.
Presented by
Art Marrapese
Employee Benefits Practice Area Chair
Michael McGovern
Partner
Shawn Chowdhury
Associate
Register here.
If you have any questions regarding this webinar, please contact Art Marrapese, Employee Benefits Practice Area chair, at amarrapese@barclaydamon.com; Michael McGovern, partner, at mmcgovern@barclaydamon.com; or Shawn Chowdhury, associate, at schowdhury@barclaydamon.com.