The ESOP Association

ESOP Association Resources

Jan. 20
Executive Action Pauses, and May Potentially Withdraw, the Announced Adequate Consideration Rule and Safe Harbor Exemption for ESOPs 
Washington, D.C. – In one of the first actions of the Trump presidency, the White House has announced a pause on all proposed regulations from the Biden Administration that have yet to be finalized. The moratorium effectively freezes pending Executive Branch agency regulations.
Jan. 16
On Thursday, January 16th, the U.S. Department of Labor (Department) released two proposed regulations containing rules that, if finalized, would govern ESOP stock acquisitions and sales. The first is the long-anticipated proposed regulation interpreting the definition of “adequate consideration,” the standard that exempts ESOP stock purchase and sale transactions from the prohibited transaction rules in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Jan. 16
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Set to be Published in Federal Register on January 22; When Published, Provides 75 Days for Public Comment and Stakeholder Input
Dec. 20
“A truly outstanding record of support for our businesses.” 
Washington, D.C. – The ESOP Association, the leading organization representing businesses with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and the 14 million Americans with an interest in an ESOP, is today announcing a major six-figure campaign in support of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor.
Dec. 19
In a “fireside chat” at the final general session of the Employee Owned 2024 Conference, Jim Bonham, President and CEO of The ESOP Association (TEA), talked with Lisa Gomez, Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) at the Department of Labor (DOL), for a rare behind-the-scenes look into her journey of understanding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and her role in shaping their future. The conversation underscored EBSA’s evolving perspective on ESOPs and provided a detailed update on the Adequate Consideration Rule.
Dec. 11
A few weeks ago, during Employee Owned 2024, The ESOP Association announced several major changes that are underway for the future of the Employee Owned conference in Las Vegas. 
Perhaps the biggest of these changes is an all-new location starting with EO25. After a long and very successful run at Caesars Palace, the growth of the conference in recent years meant that we had outgrown the space available to us there. However, this problem quickly bloomed into an opportunity, as it allowed us to set a new direction for the conference going forward
Dec. 10
The ESOP Association is extremely grateful to all the attendees, speakers, and sponsors who helped make Employee Owned 2024 the largest gathering of ESOPs, employee owners and professionals in history. 
Dec. 04
Welcome to your November issue of the ESOP Report
This month we've packed the report with tons of articles and news about ESOPs that you won't want to miss!
Nov. 26
House Committee on Education & the Workforce discovered DOL secretly sharing confidential information with plaintiffs’ attorneys pursuing class action lawsuits against plan fiduciaries
Washington, DC – The ESOP Association today applauded House Committee on Education & the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx for calling out potential abuse of authority at the Department of Labor (DOL) and its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and calling for an investigation by the DOL’s Inspector General.