Deals & People December 23, 2011

Pensionmark Gains Dallas-Based Advisory Firm

Rycon Financial Group of Dallas, Texas, has joined Pensionmark Retirement Group’s retirement plan advisory network.
Reported by

Led by Toby J. Peters, Rycon Financial Group will now operate as Pensionmark Dallas. The partnership was made as part of the Advisor Support Program (ASP), which offers infrastructure and marketing support to retirement plan advisers while allowing them to maintain an independent practice. Peters will serve as Managing Director. 

Peters and his team specialize in working with individual investment accounts, trust accounts, foundations, corporate benefits, family offices, endowments, affluent households and retirement plans.

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In the past year, the Pensionmark network surpassed the $5 billion mark in estimated plan assets and they are approaching 600 corporate retirement plans under advisement.  In October and November, five firms joined the network (see “Pensionmark Network Gains another Firm”). 

Compliance December 23, 2011

House Passes Two-Month Renewal of Payroll Tax Cut

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a two-month renewal of the social security payroll tax cut Friday. 
Reported by

The U.S. Senate approved the bill earlier (see “Senate Passes Short-Term Extension of Payroll Tax Cut“).  

According to news reports, the measure was passed by a voice vote in a nearly empty House chamber. The two-month renewal will buy time for negotiations early next year on how to cover the costs of a year-long extension of the 2% cut in social security taxes workers pay.

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In a statement, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said, “For the average worker, the tax cut means keeping about $40 in every paycheck. And for those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline. In very real terms, the payroll tax cut and the extension of unemployment benefits make a huge difference in keeping nutritious food on the table, buying a warm coat, paying a heating bill, and putting gas in the car.

“I very much hope that when Congress returns from their break, that they work diligently on behalf of hard working Americans, and reach a fair agreement to extend the tax cut and unemployment insurance for a full year.”  

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