The ESOP Association

ESOP Association Resources

Jun. 05
President Trump’s Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Labor and Head of EBSA Signals Major Shift in Dep. Of Labor’s Posture Toward ESOPs During Confirmation HearingDuring his confirmation hearing today, Daniel Aronowitz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) as Assistant Secretary of Labor, signaled a sea change in how the Department of Labor (DOL) views ESOPs under this Administration. EBSA is the chief regulator of ESOPs at the DOL under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
3038
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 28
In this, our final installment on common criticisms of ESOPs—and why they are wrong—we’ll look at the assertion that ESOPs are not real ownership.

According to cynics, ESOPs are “fake” ownership plans. In “real” ownership, they argue, the owners control their assets by determining such things as who runs the company, who sits on the Board of Directors, when major corporate decisions are made that might impact the future of the company, and so on.

But ESOPs are true ownership.
382
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 14
I often hear three criticisms about ESOPs: The second criticism is that ESOPs are a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Cynics say the tax breaks provided to ESOPs are money losers because the majority of American taxpayers pay higher rates to make up for the cost of ESOP tax benefits.

But anyone who says that must not have done very well in elementary school when they learned basic math. ESOPs offer great returns on tax incentives.
383
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, President's Page, Valuation, Beneficiary Designation
Feb. 01
The Impact of Tax Reform on ESOP C and S Corporation Business Valuations.
305