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The Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) is a free-to-join, grassroots advocacy movement for anyone with a stake in ensuring employee ownership continues to grow and thrive in the US.
Does that sound like you?
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What Our Members Have to Say
“Membership in The ESOP Association is vital to an ESOP owned company. The advocacy and education services are invaluable and are not duplicated by any other organization.”
-David Kelly, CFO at Acadian Ambulance Service Inc.
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Featured Event
Registration Open!
This gathering of ESOP Presidents and CEOs offers a one-of-a-kind platform for peer learning, allowing participants to glean valuable strategies from others grappling with similar challenges.
Upcoming events
- Resources
The #EO Solution
The ESOP Association and Project Equity have partnered to create state -by-state data that amplifies employee ownership as a common sense way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy.
ESOP Association Resources
Forming an ESOP - A New Video Series on Business Succession Planning
Hear from ESOP companies in multiple different industries, and their seasoned advisors, about what an ESOP is and if it’s right for you.
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- About TEA
What is an ESOP?
An ESOP is a retirement plan—but also a way of living and running a company. For insights on both technical and cultural aspects of these plans—which provide benefits to employee owners, the company, the community, and exiting owners—and links to additional resources, see our web page titled What is an ESOP?
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The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
ESOP Blog, Resource, Government Affairs
Nov. 29
A quick glance at the results of the mid-term elections might leave one feeling that the ESOP community will face challenging days ahead. Certainly the retirement and defeat of key ESOP advocates in Congress—primarily in the House, where tax laws originate—pose a challenge. But there is good news too.
The "Bad" News
First, let’s look at the more challenging news.
We will lose some crucial, long-time ESOP Advocates next year.
The "Bad" News
First, let’s look at the more challenging news.
We will lose some crucial, long-time ESOP Advocates next year.
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, Economic Performance Survey, Valuation, Insufficient Assets, Employee Ownership Month
Nov. 01
Members of The ESOP Association and the public show even greater interest in celebrating Employee Ownership Month.
Jun. 06
After a concerted effort, Congress and the Administration are persuaded to improve the 1996 Subchapter S ESOP Law, and beginning in 1998 it becomes allowable for Subchapter S Corporations to sponsor an ESOP. Previously, S-corporations could not sponsor ESOPs because qualified retirement plans could not own stock in the sponsoring company.
Oct. 22
Building upon the 1984 law, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 strengthens tax incentives for ESOPs. Deductibility of dividends on ESOP stock paid to plan participants AND deductibility of dividends used to pay debt are included in the landmark bill which overhauled the U.S. tax code.
Sep. 02
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) passes to address public concern that private pension plan funds were being mismanaged, and officially recognizes employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). While employee ownership and equity (stock) plans have existed prior to this point, ERISA launches them formally as qualified retirement plans (QRPs) under federal law thereby subjecting them to regulation by the U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS.