Melissa B. Kurtzman
Shareholder
Offices
Philadelphia
Three Parkway1601 Cherry Street, Suite 1400Philadelphia, PA 19102
O +1 (267) 402-3000
F +1 (267) 402-3131
Professional & Community Affiliations
Board Member
Benefits Council of Greater Philadelphia
American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries
Member
The Mid-Atlantic Pension Liaison Group
Member
Employee Benefits Section
Philadelphia Bar Association
Member
Tax and Business sections
American Bar Association
Member
Compensation and Benefits Committee
The Kendal Corporation, Kennett Square, PA
Former Board Member
Interact Theatre Company
Former Board Member
Children's Village Child Care Center of Philadelphia
News, Analysis & Press
Ten Common Benefits Issues Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Employee Furloughs and Reductions in Force
Insight
April 6, 2020
Pensions and Retirement Plans 2019
Lexology
February 3, 2020
Striking Down Decades-Old Precedent, Ninth Circuit Rules That ERISA Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims May Be Arbitrated
Insight
August 26, 2019
DOL Rule Imposes Significant Increases in Penalties for Employee Benefit Plan Violations
ASAP
July 8, 2016
New Compliance Questions in IRS Form 5500 Warrant Screening Reviews of 401(K) Plans During 2016
ASAP
March 10, 2016
401(k) Basics
Littler Employer
April 2011
IRS/DOL Steps Up Enforcement Efforts On Qualified Retirement Plans
March 2011
The Littler Ten: Employment, Labor and Benefit Law Trends for Navigating the New Decade
Littler Report
September 30, 2010
Healthcare Reform: Long-Awaited "Grandfathered" Regulations Released – What Do Employers Need to Know?
Insight
June 17, 2010
First Glimpse at Grandfathered Health Plans Regulations
June 2010
Healthcare Reform
Littler ASAP
November 2009
Books & Book Chapters
- Pensions & Retirement Plans - USA, Getting the Deal Through, Law Business Research Ltd., chapter co-author: Steven J. Friedman, 2013-2014, 2016
Speaking Engagements
Face the (Cyber) Nation - Employee Benefits
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 10, 2024
Secure Act 2.0 Got You Feeling Insecure? Face the 401(k) Challenges and Find Workable Solutions
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 11, 2023
Benefits Jeopardy: Incentives and Benefits for the Modern Workforce
Littler Executive Employer Conference
May 6, 2022
Fiduciary Best Practices
March 4, 2021
2020 Virtual Benefits Symposium: Addressing Issues in the New Normal
October 20, 2020
2020 Virtual Benefits Symposium: Addressing Issues in the New Normal
October 1, 2020
Reopening and Rehiring – What Are the Most Critical Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Issues?
July 9, 2020
SECURE and CARES Acts - Impacts on Your Retirement Plan
Client Webinar
May 28, 2020
SECURE and CARES Act Impact on Your Retirement
Client Webinar
May 28, 2020
A Fiduciary's Guide to the COVID-19 Correction and Beyond
CE Webinar
May 14, 2020
How the Secure Act Will Impact Your Retirement Plans
February 6, 2020
Roundtable
2019 New Jersey Healthcare and Retirement Plan Summit
October 8, 2019
The A Team: Adding Value to Your Clients
PICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference
May 21, 2019
MEWAs, MEPs, PEO and Outsourcing
2019 AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference, New Orleans, LA
May 8, 2019
Anti-Assignment Rules – Procedures, Legal and Tax Issues
2019 AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference, New Orleans, LA
May 7, 2019
Anatomy of a DOL Retirement Plan Investigation
April 4, 2019
Anatomy of an IRS Retirement Plan Audit
March 7, 2019
DOL Developments | Multiple Employer Retirement Plans, Association Health Plans and IRS Proposed Hardship Regulations
December 6, 2018
Ask the Experts – Local Professional Panel
2018 New Jersey Fiduciary Summit
October 3, 2018
2018 Annual Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Summit
New York, NY
June 21, 2018
How to Properly Conduct a Retirement Plan Committee Meeting
June 7, 2018
ERISA Compliance in 2018: Changes, Observations and Current Issues
Fairport, NY
May 9, 2018
The Constantly Shifting Sands of Employee Benefits: How to Level the Landscape
Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ
May 3, 2018
2018 Annual Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Summit
Los Angeles, CA
January 11, 2018
What’s in Your Fiduciary Toolkit? A Guide to Good Fiduciary Governance
Littler’s Annual Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Summit, New York, NY
June 15, 2017
The Top 10 Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Issues in 2017
The 2017 Executive Employer® Conference
May 11, 2017
Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers
2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, Charlotte, NC
July 28, 2016
Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers
2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, New York, NY
June 15, 2016
Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies
Withum Audit Tax Advisory, Somerset Palace, Somerset, NJ
May 26, 2016
Dealing with Plans Under Attack
NJCPA Conference
May 24, 2016
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Issues on Termination of Employment
Philadelphia, PA
May 12, 2016
Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers
The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference
May 5, 2016
New Guidance Requires Greater Fiduciary Oversight of Retirement Plans
April 26, 2016
2016 Employee Benefits Update - Rochester
Fairport, NY
January 28, 2016
2016 Employee Benefits Summit - Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
January 14, 2016
Why Quibble with Tibble? The Supreme Court Reminds Fiduciaries of the Wide Scope of Their Duties
Employee Benefits Summit NYC 2015
Littler Mendelson, New York, NY
June 9, 2015
Benefits Document Drafting is Key to Staying Out of Court
The 2015 Executive Employer® Conference
Littler Mendelson, Phoenix, AZ
May 8, 2015
Pension Plan Lump Sum Windows: Legal Issues
Pension Lump Sum Elections Event - CREWS, Conshohocken, PA
April 28, 2015
ERISA Budget Accounts
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Baltimore, MD
February 26, 2015
Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS)
25th Annual Benefits Compliance Conference - SouthWest Benefits Association, Dallas, TX
November 13, 2014
How To Prepare For and Handle DOL Audits
11th Annual Fiduciary Services Retirement Plans Conference - Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 24, 2014
2014 Employee Benefits Summit
Atlanta, GA
June 19, 2014
What Plan Administrators Should Be Doing Now To Prepare For A 401(k) Or 403(b) Plan Audit
2014 Employee Benefits Summit
Littler Mendelson, Atlanta, GA
June 19, 2014
The Affordable Care Act: Preparation for 2015 & Beyond
Philadelphia, PA
May 20, 2014
Sandy Beach and a Pina Colada? Think Again. The Challenges and Opportunities of Doing Business in Puerto Rico
The 2014 Executive Employer® Conference
Littler Mendelson, Phoenix, AZ
May 8, 2014
Overview of ERISA Fiduciary Responsibilities
2014 New Jersey Fiduciary Summit - Xponential Growth Solutions (XGS), Bridgewater, NJ
April 24, 2014
The Shifting Landscape of Employee Benefits – Imperatives for 2013 and Beyond
Boston, MA
September 19, 2013
Common Retirement Plan Deficiencies and Corrective Actions
Client Presentation - Fiduciary Fixes: A Guide to Correcting 401(K) Issues
August 28, 2013
The Affordable Care Act — Critical Next Steps for Employers
Philadelphia, PA
May 22, 2013
Trials and Tribulations of Auto Enrollment
Mid-Atlantic Benefits Conference - Greater Philadelphia ASPPA Benefits Council, Philadelphia, PA
May 16-17, 2013
Oops…How did that happen? What do we do now?
Mid-Atlantic Benefits Conference - Greater Philadelphia ASPPA Benefits Council, Philadelphia, PA
May 16-17, 2013
Rockin’ 401(k) Plans: The Hot Issues
The Shifting Landscape of Employee Benefits — Imperatives for 2013
Littler Mendelson, Dallas, TX
April 24, 2013
Best Practices for Navigating 401(k) Fiduciary Challenges
The Shifting Landscape of Employee Benefits — Imperatives for 2013
Littler Mendelson, New York, NY
April 18, 2013
What Every Plan Sponsor Should Know From A Legal And Fiduciary Standpoint
Wharton Retirement Consultants, Philadelphia, PA
March 27, 2013
The Flood of Things a Plan Committee Must Do Differently in 2012
23rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference for Practitioners and Plan Sponsors - SouthWest Benefits Association, Dallas, TX
November 15, 2012
The Shifting Landscape of Employee Benefits – Imperatives for 2012 and Beyond
Los Angeles, CA
October 11, 2012
Retirement Plan Summit 2012
New York, NY
September 28, 2012
Retirement Plan Fiduciary Best Practices
Philadelphia, PA
September 20, 2012
Healthcare: Obamacare and Beyond
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), Washington, D.C.
May 21, 2012
Fiduciary Update for 401(k) Sponsors
The Philadelphia Group, West Conshohocken, PA
May 16, 2012
Guiding Your Company through Dramatic Changes: The Critical Legal/HR Role in Major Transactions
The 2012 Executive Employer® Conference
Littler Mendelson, Scottsdale, AZ
May 11, 2012
Steering Clear of Benefits Litigation through Better Document Drafting
The 2012 Executive Employer® Conference
Littler Mendelson, Scottsdale, AZ
May 10, 2012
Steering Clear of ERISA Litigation Through Better Document Drafting
Association of Corporate Counsel, Delaware Valley (DELVACCA) Chapter, Philadelphia, PA
April 16, 2012
The Corporate Retirement Plan Industry: Regulatory Changes and Fiduciary Best Practices
Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
April 12, 2012
Employee Benefits The Shifting Landscape of Employee Benefits – Imperatives for 2012
New York, NY
March 27, 2012
Pressing Issues Facing 401(k) Plan Sponsors in 2012: Vendor Agreements, Participant Disclosures, IRS/DOL Audits and Inquiries, and Other Nuts and Bolts
NFP Monday Mentoring - BenefitsPartners
March 26, 2012
Retirement Session: Regulatory Update and How New Regulations May Open Doors
Spring Conference - National Financial Partners, Dallas, TX
March 5, 2012
ERISA Rule 408(b)(2) - Full Disclosure of Fees in Your 401(k)
November 17, 2011
2011 and Beyond: Maximizing Your Employee Benefit Plans During Uncertain Legislative Times
October 12, 2011
Pressing Issues Facing 401(k) Plan Sponsors and Service Providers in 2011 and 2012: Legislative Update, Vendor Agreements, Participant Disclosures, IRS/DOL Audits, and Other Nuts and Bolts
Transamerica Retirement Services Conference, Lutherville, MD
September 14, 2011
Pressing Issues Facing 401(k) Plan Sponsors and Service Providers in 2011 and 2012: Legislative Update, Vendor Agreements, Participant Disclosures, IRS/DOL Audits, and Other Nuts and Bolts
Transamerica Retirement Services Conference, Washington, DC
September 13, 2011
New York Benefits Summit
February 10, 2011
Update on Employee Benefits Law
DeVry University
February 2011
Healthcare Reform: Are You Ready for 2011?
Valiant Conference, Atlanta, GA
November 2010
Healthcare Reform
Littler Mendelson Webinar
October 2010
Healthcare Reform Including Grandfathering
Thesco Benefits Conference, New York, NY
September 2010
Healthcare Bill Review for Contingent Workforce Issues
The 2010 Executive Employer Conference® - Littler Mendelson, Phoenix, AZ
March 2010
Best Practices for Operating a Retirement Plan
Littler Seminar, Philadelphia, PA
November 2009
Retirement Plan Update for Tax-Exempts
Penjerdel Employee Benefits and Compensation Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA
September 2009
Retirement Plan Issues for Tax Exempt Organization
PEBA Conference featuring TIAA-CREF, Philadelphia, PA
September 2009
Education
- LL.M. in Taxation, The George Washington University Law Center, 1988
- J.D., University of Toledo College of Law, 1985
- B.A., Michigan State University, 1983
Courts
- U.S. Tax Court