
ESOP Advocacy Issues
For decades Employee Stock Ownership Plans have received unprecedented bipartisan and bicameral support in Congress. This is only possible because of the tireless work of our passionate community. However, there are some fundamental issues that our community must rally around if we want to continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.
Current ESOP Advocacy issues
As with all qualified employee benefit plans, ESOPs are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).
To ensure equitable representation of historically disadvantaged groups, Congress has provided for programs to support businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other groups.
All defined contribution plans, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), must provide a benefit statement to each participant annually.
Latest Advocacy News

IRS Issues a Warning Shot to ESOP Advisors, Founders
IRS Issues a Warning Shot to ESOP Advisors, Founders
Notice to Taxpayers is Heavy on Innuendo, Light on Specifics

Congress Takes First Formal Steps on FY2024 Spending; Senate Appropriators Specifically Direct Employee Ownership Provisions Mandated by WORK Act
Congress Takes First Formal Steps on FY2024 Spending; Senate Appropriators Specifically Direct Employee Ownership Provisions Mandated by WORK Act
On a very strong 24-2 bipartisan vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed the Labor,

The ESOP Association Reacts to U.S. Department of Labor Launch of Employee Ownership Initiative to Promote and Expand Employee-Owned Businesses
The ESOP Association Reacts to U.S. Department of Labor Launch of Employee Ownership Initiative to Promote and Expand Employee-Owned Businesses
Longstanding Priority of The ESOP Association Includes Creation of a New Division at DOL Spec

Senators Sanders, Cassidy Urge Dept. of Labor to Prioritize WORK Act Implementation
Senators Sanders, Cassidy Urge Dept. of Labor to Prioritize WORK Act Implementation
U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, have sent a bipartisan letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su urging the Department of Labor to prioritize the WORK Act in its implementation of SECURE 2.0.

Department of Labor Agrees to Notice and Comment Rulemaking on Adequate Consideration Exemption for ESOPs
Department of Labor Agrees to Notice and Comment Rulemaking on Adequate Consideration Exemption for ESOPs
DOL Commits to Provide Long-Sought Regulatory Clarity with Stakeholder Input on the Valua