The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2954, the Securing A Strong Retirement Act (SECURE 2.0) by a massive bi-partisan majority of 414 to 5. Included in the House-passed version are two provisions that will assist Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) or business owners seeking to establish them.
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Mar. 14
Washington, DC, March 14, 2022 - The ESOP Association and American Benefits Council jointly filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in support of the belief that ESOP plans need, and have, the ability to require individual arbitration to resolve individual participant disputes. A previous District Court ruling has the potential to eliminate individual arbitration, which would dramatically increase the litigation costs for companies with employee defined-contribution retirement plans, such as ESOPs and 401(k)s.
Mar. 11
Yesterday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2471, an omnibus spending bill consisting of all 12 fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills and supplemental funding to support Ukraine.
Late last evening, in less than 48 hours after the final text was unveiled, the Senate passed this spending package that will fund the federal government through September 2022. The funding package now heads to the White House for President Biden’s signature.
Most importantly for TEA members, the bill includes some wins for employee ownership.
Late last evening, in less than 48 hours after the final text was unveiled, the Senate passed this spending package that will fund the federal government through September 2022. The funding package now heads to the White House for President Biden’s signature.
Most importantly for TEA members, the bill includes some wins for employee ownership.
Mar. 10
On March 9th, the House passed H.R. 2471, an approximately $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill consisting of all 12 fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills plus supplemental funding of $14 billion to support Ukraine and other measures. The legislation passed in two pieces with two votes, each of which had bipartisan support. The Senate is expected to act and pass the bill before week’s end. Most importantly for TEA members, the bill includes some wins for employee ownership.
Mar. 01
Des Moines Iowa, March 1, 2022 –Today Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds returned to Library Binding Services (LBS Inc.), a 100% employee-owned business, to sign into law legislation to eliminate state taxes on retirement income, including taxes on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) distributions. This important change has the power to motivate more Iowa business owners to sell their businesses to their employees as a business succession plan.
Jan. 20
The ESOP Association looks forward to working with President Joe Biden and his incoming Administration to make employee ownership available to the vast majority of privately employed Americans. The ESOP Association believes that employee ownership strengthens our free enterprise economy, increases productivity through greater employee participation and satisfaction, and maximizes human potential by enhancing self-worth, dignity, and the well-being of working Americans.
Jan. 14
See the PDF to the right for a map and list of pre-convening freshman in Congress. A pre-convening freshman is a Member who won a seat in the general election. This category also includes people who won a special election prior to the first meeting of a new Congress.
Freshman members are important targets for outreach because they may or may not know about ESOPs and Employee Ownership.
Freshman members are important targets for outreach because they may or may not know about ESOPs and Employee Ownership.
Jan. 08
We are encouraged by news reports that President-elect Joseph Biden will nominate Isabel Guzman to lead the Small Business Administration (SBA). As the head of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, Guzman has gone on the record stating the important role ESOPs play in helping our nation retain millions of businesses that might otherwise close when their Baby Boomer owners retire—as many are expected to do in the next eight years.
Jan. 06
The ESOP Association congratulates Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on his reported nomination to the position of Secretary of Labor. Mayor Walsh has a history of engaging ESOP companies and encouraging employee ownership, and if he is confirmed, The Association looks forward to working with him and the Biden Administration to advance employee ownership.
Jan. 06
WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance today allowing deductions for the payments of eligible expenses when such payments would result (or be expected to result) in the forgiveness of a loan (covered loan) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).