Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion

Financial wellness is a top priority for employers—but many programs aren't delivering meaningful results. On this episode of Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt speaks with Sarah Parker of SageView Advisory Group to explore what financial wellness really means and why so many initiatives fall short. They discuss how employers can move beyond check-the-box solutions to strategies that truly im...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Sarah Parker, of SageView Advisory Group to discuss the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed regulations on alternative investments in participant-directed retirement plans. The proposal would clarify a fiduciary's duty of prudence under ERISA and establish a potential safe harbor. Brydon and Sarah break down...

On this episode of  Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Nathan Kottkamp, partner in Williams Mullen's Health Care Section, to break down what HIPAA really means for employers. Brydon and Nathan walk through why employer-sponsored health plans trigger HIPAA obligations, what companies actually need to have in place (including policies and procedures), and which ty...

On this episode of   Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Stephanie Karn, partner in the Labor, Employment and Immigration Section at William Mullen, to discuss one of the most common questions employers face: what should an employee handbook actually include? They explore whether every employer truly needs a handbook, why including "everything but the kitchen sin...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Lisa Drake, Managing Director at SageView Advisory Group and President of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). Together, they explore how employers, plan sponsors, and benefits professionals can leverage NAPA as a strategic resource. The conversation covers NAPA's mission and advocacy efforts, it...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, principal financial advisor at CAPTRUST, to discuss key benefits industry trends expected in 2026. They examine anticipated Department of Labor rulemaking, evolving fiduciary obligations, ERISA litigation trends and the growing focus on participant outcomes. The conversation offers practical insig...

In this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt sits down with Amy Hollis, CEO of Employees First, for a candid and eye-opening conversation about voluntary benefits—an area with associated risk many employers offer but few truly understand. Brydon and Amy pull back the curtain on what actually happens to employees' premium dollars once they leave the paycheck, why vol...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt talks with Matt Anderson, a partner in Williams Mullen's Labor, Employment and Immigration Section, about a proposed Virginia bill that would significantly expand paid sick leave rights for employees across the Commonwealth. They'll discuss a brief history of Virginia's paid sick leave law, details of House Bill No. 5 (HB...

On this episode of Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt talks with Sarah Parker of SageView Advisory Group about the growing interest in private markets within defined contribution retirement plans. They explore what "private markets" really mean, why more plan sponsors are considering them, and how these investments could impact participants' long-term outcomes. Whether you're a plan sponsor,...

On this episode of Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Caroline Susie of MercerWELL about the rise of GLP-1 medications. They discuss how these drugs work, why they're transforming weight loss, and the tough questions employers face—from whether to cover them, to managing costs, to what else is needed to best support a healthier workforce. Whether you're an HR leader, benefits admini...

With growing interest in alternative investments—from private equity and digital assets to ESG—defined contribution plan sponsors face both fresh opportunities and heightened scrutiny. In this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, Principal Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, to explore how plan sponsors can assess these emerging asset classes, weigh p...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Christian Mosier, president of BenX Consulting Group, to explore what's really driving benefit strategy for midsize employers heading into 2026. We'll explore the rising interest in self-funding and group captives, as well as the growing demand for pharmacy benefit transparency, especially in the wake of high-...

Thinking about succession planning, employee engagement, or selling your business? On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Nona Massengill, a partner focusing on Executive Compensation. Nona demystifies Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) from a business owner's perspective. She breaks down what an ESOP is (and what it's not), who can implement o...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt discusses prohibitive gag clauses under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). While intended to promote transparency, not all gag clauses are obvious. With new guidance from the Department of Labor now in effect, what exactly must plan administrators do to comply? From identifying problematic provisions to submitting...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt unpacks the growing legal controversy surrounding the use of forfeitures in retirement plans. With numerous lawsuits recently filed, plan sponsors and administrators are facing heightened scrutiny—and potential liability—over how forfeited funds are handled. We'll discuss the evolving guidance from the Department of Labor...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Ken Barnes, vice president of investment consulting at SageView Advisory Group, who discusses the recent federal ruling against American Airlines, which has set a precedent that could reshape how corporate fiduciaries approach investment oversight and governance. They'll explore why fiduciary duty to loyalty...

On this episode of  Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt discusses big changes to contributions to retirement plans under SECURE 2.0 that begin in 2025. He covers the new "Super Catch-Up" contributions for 2025 and the required Roth catch-up contributions for high earners coming in 2026. 

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt discusses changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) positively impacting employers in 2025. He covers what's new with reporting requirements designed to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and the subsequent implications of these changes for human resource professionals and benefits administrators.

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Kyle Wingfield, a partner in Williams Mullen's Tax Section, who discusses the recently announced IRS tax relief for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Brydon also discusses ways employers may provide financial relief to Hurricane victims through their retirement plans.

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt discusses the recent IRS guidance regarding provisions under the SECURE 2.0 Act which allows employers to make matching contributions on account of employees' qualified student loan payments under section 401(k) plans, section 403(b) plans, SIMPLE IRA plans, and governmental section 457(b) plans.

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Laura Windsor, chair of Williams Mullen's Labor, Employment and Immigration Section, who discusses two hot issues: non-competes and independent contractors. Are non-competes really banned? What are alternative solutions? Is having an independent contractor agreement enough? What are the potential penalties fo...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt discusses pending court cases regarding the proper use of forfeitures that arise under defined contribution plans. He outlines how these new developments present potential conflicts and liabilities that employers and fiduciary committees need to consider.

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion ,  host Brydon DeWitt discusses the new IRS guidance regarding certain exceptions to the 10% early distribution tax under IRC 72(t). He will share background on emergency personal expense and domestic abuse victim distribution exceptions, any limitations, and steps plan administrators should take to ensure they are complying with this guidanc...

On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Ken Barnes, senior investment consultant with SageView Advisory Group, who discusses lifetime income products which are designed to help retirees arrange for a more predictable income stream throughout the entirety of their retirement. They discuss the forms of lifetime income products, legislation that paved...

On this episode of  Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion , host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Nichole Labott, managing director at SageView Advisory Group, who shares the impact recordkeeper consolidation is having on our industry. They discuss what's at stake for retirement plan participants and steps plan administrators should consider to protect participants and their company.