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Labor Department Amends Prohibited Transaction Exemption for AT&T Retirement Plans, Extending Coverage Through 2023

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AT&T retirement plan exemption
An AT&T office building or corporate logo represents the company’s retirement plans that are covered by a newly amended Department of Labor prohibited transaction exemption. The amendment extends regulatory relief for certain pension-related transactions through April 5, 2023, under ERISA. PeopleImages/Shutterstock

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 3, 2026, announcing an amendment to an existing prohibited transaction exemption involving AT&T Inc. and its affiliates, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Labor Department Updates AT&T Retirement Plan Exemption

The amendment modifies Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-06 (PTE 2014-06), which was originally granted in July 2014. According to the official announcement, the exemption amendment adds new sections to the original exemption and extends the period during which certain otherwise-prohibited transactions involving AT&T are permitted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

What the Amendment Changes

Specifically, the Department of Labor stated that the original Sections I, II, and III of PTE 2014-06 remain in effect for the period from September 9, 2013, through October 14, 2018. The amendment adds new Sections IV, V, VI, and VII, which cover transactions from October 15, 2018, through April 5, 2023. These new sections address definitions, covered transactions, conditions under which the exemption applies, and exemption dates.

Prohibited transaction exemptions under ERISA are granted by the Department of Labor to allow transactions that would otherwise be barred because they involve parties with potential conflicts of interest — such as a plan and an employer or affiliate — when the agency determines the transactions are nonetheless protective of, or at least not harmful to, the affected retirement plan participants and beneficiaries.

The exemption was originally applied for under Application Number D-11981. The amendment was published as a five-page notice in volume 91 of the Federal Register at page 48942. The notice was issued by EBSA, the Labor Department division responsible for administering and enforcing the fiduciary, reporting, and disclosure provisions of ERISA, which governs private-sector employee benefit plans.

Where to Learn More

This action is relevant to retirement plan participants and beneficiaries in AT&T-affiliated plans, as well as financial advisors, plan administrators, and compliance professionals who monitor ERISA exemption activity. Individuals seeking to understand how this exemption may apply to their specific plan or situation should consult the official Federal Register notice or contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration directly, as this article does not constitute individualized legal or financial advice.

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IRS Issues Correction to Updated Qualified Domestic Trust Regulations Under Section 2056A

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Qualified Domestic Trust regulations
The IRS has issued technical corrections to its recently updated Qualified Domestic Trust regulations, clarifying federal estate tax procedures for trusts benefiting non-U.S. citizen surviving spouses. Tada Images/Shutterstock

The Internal Revenue Service has published a correcting amendment to recently finalized regulations governing Qualified Domestic Trusts (QDTs) under Internal Revenue Code Section 2056A. Published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2026, the amendment makes technical corrections to final regulations issued earlier in the month and became effective immediately upon publication. According to the IRS, the changes are administrative in nature and do not introduce new policy or alter the underlying requirements for Qualified Domestic Trusts.

Correction Updates Technical References, Not Tax Policy

The correcting amendment follows final regulations published on July 10, 2026, which updated outdated references and administrative procedures within the Qualified Domestic Trust regulations. Qualified Domestic Trusts allow certain surviving spouses who are not U.S. citizens to qualify for the federal estate tax marital deduction, provided the trust meets specific federal requirements. The July 24 correction is intended to fix technical errors and ensure the updated regulations accurately reflect current procedures without changing how the rules operate.

Estate Planning Professionals Should Review the Updates

Although the amendment is limited in scope, it may be relevant to estate planning attorneys, tax professionals, trustees, and families with international estate planning considerations involving non-citizen surviving spouses. Individuals with questions about how the updated regulations apply to their specific situation should review the Federal Register publication or consult a qualified tax or legal professional before making estate planning decisions.

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CMS Issues Technical Correction to 2027 Affordable Care Act Benefit and Payment Parameters Rule

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CMS technical correction
CMS has published a technical correction to the 2027 Affordable Care Act Benefit and Payment Parameters rule, clarifying regulatory language for insurers and Marketplace administrators without changing the underlying policy. Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a technical correction to its 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, updating portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rule that governs health insurance marketplaces and the Basic Health Program. The correction was published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2026, but became effective July 20, 2026, according to CMS. Officials described the action as a technical fix that corrects errors in both the explanatory preamble and the regulatory text of the previously published final rule. The correction does not introduce new policy changes but ensures the rule accurately reflects CMS’s intended language.

What the Correction Means

The technical correction applies to regulations under 42 CFR Part 600 and 45 CFR Parts 150, 155, and 156, which establish standards for Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans and the Basic Health Program. The original 2027 rule affects health insurers, state and federally facilitated marketplaces, and consumers who purchase ACA-compliant health coverage. CMS said the correction addresses drafting errors identified after publication of the final rule, a routine step agencies sometimes take to clarify regulatory language without changing the underlying policy. Because the revisions are technical in nature, CMS waived additional notice-and-comment procedures and the usual delay before the correction took effect.

Who Should Pay Attention?

Most consumers are unlikely to notice an immediate impact from the correction itself. However, insurers, state marketplace administrators, compliance professionals, and organizations involved in ACA Marketplace operations should review the updated regulatory language to ensure they are following the corrected requirements. Anyone seeking detailed information about the revisions should consult the official Federal Register notice or CMS guidance, as the technical correction does not provide an extensive explanation of every change.

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HHS Seeks OMB Approval for Children and Families Program Monitoring Data Collection

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HHS Seeks OMB Approval for Children and Families Program Monitoring Data Collection

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HHS ACF program monitoring
An employee reviews program data at a computer as HHS seeks public comment on extending information collection used to monitor federally funded children and family services programs. Gil C/Shutterstock

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is asking for public input on a proposal to extend an existing information collection used to monitor federally funded programs that support children, families, and communities.

The request, published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2026, seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue a “generic clearance” that allows ACF to collect standardized information from grant recipients. According to the agency, no changes are being proposed to the existing clearance, although burden estimates have been updated. Public comments will be accepted through August 21, 2026.

What the Data Collection Supports

Program monitoring is a routine post-award process used to evaluate how organizations receiving federal funding are managing their programs and complying with grant requirements. ACF says the information helps program offices assess both program performance and business management practices while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

The agency also uses the information to identify areas where grantees may need technical assistance or additional support to meet program goals. Because the clearance is generic, it allows ACF to efficiently approve individual monitoring activities without seeking a separate OMB review each time.

Who May Be Affected

The proposal primarily affects organizations that receive funding from ACF, including nonprofits, state and local agencies, tribal organizations, and other entities that administer children and family services programs. While the notice does not create new reporting requirements, it extends ACF’s authority to continue collecting information needed for ongoing oversight activities. Anyone interested in the proposal may submit comments through the federal comment process before the August 21 deadline. Additional details and submission instructions are available through the Federal Register and RegInfo websites.

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SEC Proposes Rule on Electronic Delivery of Information Under Federal Securities Laws

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SEC Proposes Rule on Electronic Delivery of Information Under Federal Securities Laws

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SEC electronic delivery rule
An investor reviews financial documents on a laptop as the SEC proposes new rules that could make electronic delivery the default for many required securities disclosures. Tada Images/Shutterstock

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published a proposed rule, “Electronic Delivery of Information Under the Federal Securities Laws,” that could modernize how investors receive required disclosures and other securities-related documents. According to the proposal, the SEC would allow many firms to use electronic delivery as the default method for providing required information, replacing the current system that often requires investors to opt in before receiving documents digitally. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2026, and the public comment period remains open through September 21, 2026.

What the Proposal Would Change

If adopted, the rule would apply to a wide range of market participants, including public companies, broker-dealers, investment advisers, investment companies, and transfer agents. Instead of relying primarily on paper mailings, firms could satisfy many federal securities law delivery requirements by making documents available electronically and notifying investors how to access them. Investors who still prefer paper copies would generally be able to request them. The SEC says the proposal is intended to reflect how most people already access financial information while reducing printing and mailing costs.

Why Investors Should Pay Attention

For most investors, the proposal would not change the information they receive but rather how they receive it. Required documents such as prospectuses, proxy materials, account information, and other disclosures could become more readily available through secure electronic methods. The SEC believes electronic delivery may improve accessibility while maintaining investor protections, but the agency is seeking public feedback before making any final decision.

Public Comment Period Remains Open

The proposal is not yet final and could be revised before adoption. Individuals, businesses, and other interested parties have until September 21, 2026, to submit comments through the SEC and the Federal Register process. Anyone affected by potential changes to securities disclosure requirements should review the full proposal and consider whether the changes could impact how they receive or provide investment-related information.

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SEC Approves ICE Clear Credit Rule Change on Operational Risk Management Framework

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ICE Clear Credit Operational Risk Management Framework
ICE Clear Credit LLC has received SEC approval to update its Operational Risk Management Framework, a change intended to support the resilience and reliability of the financial market infrastructure that clears credit-related derivatives. g0d4ather/Shutterstock

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has formally approved a proposed rule change submitted by ICE Clear Credit LLC concerning updates to the company’s Operational Risk Management Framework. The approval was published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, under SEC Release No. 34‑105918 and docket number SR‑ICC‑2026‑004.

The notice appears at 91 FR 45306 and spans three pages. ICE Clear Credit LLC operates as a registered clearing agency responsible for clearing credit default swaps and other credit‑related derivatives. As a central counterparty, its risk‑management practices directly affect market participants who rely on its clearing services for trade execution, settlement, and systemic protection.

Background on the Rule Change Process

The SEC initially published the proposed rule change on June 8, 2026, opening a public comment window and allowing stakeholders to review the submission. Roughly six weeks later, the Commission issued its approval order. This timeline reflects the standard review process under the Securities Exchange Act, which requires clearing agencies to submit rule changes for regulatory oversight before implementation.

Although the approval order confirms that ICE Clear Credit updated its Operational Risk Management Framework, the Federal Register summary does not describe the specific revisions. Operational risk frameworks typically address how a clearinghouse identifies, measures, and mitigates risks related to technology, internal processes, staffing, and external disruptions. Any changes to such a framework can influence how the clearinghouse responds to incidents that may affect clearing operations.

Why the Update Matters for Market Participants

For broker‑dealers, asset managers, and other financial professionals who interact with ICE Clear Credit, updates to operational risk protocols can affect daily workflows and compliance obligations. Enhancements to risk identification or monitoring procedures may change reporting expectations, incident‑response timelines, or technology‑related requirements.

Operational risk failures — such as system outages, data‑processing errors, or procedural breakdowns — can disrupt trade clearing and settlement. Because clearinghouses play a critical role in maintaining market stability, the SEC closely monitors changes to their risk‑management frameworks to ensure they meet regulatory standards for resilience and reliability.

Readers seeking authoritative guidance should review the official Federal Register publication or contact the SEC or ICE Clear Credit directly. These sources can clarify how the approved changes may affect specific clearing arrangements or regulatory responsibilities.

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SEC Grants CME Conditional Exemption for Certain Cash-Settled Security Futures

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SEC CME exemption
The SEC has granted the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) a conditional exemption from certain opening price settlement requirements for select cash-settled security futures contracts, marking a targeted regulatory change that affects how those products may be settled under specific conditions. Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an official order granting the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (CME) conditional exemptive relief from specific settlement requirements that apply to certain cash-settled security futures contracts, according to an official announcement published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2026.

The order, identified as Release No. 34-105882 and published at 91 FR 43410, was issued under Section 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 6h-1(d) thereunder. It exempts CME, on a conditional basis, from the opening price settlement requirements set out in Rule 6h-1(b) of the Exchange Act for the specific category of cash-settled security futures covered by the relief.

The action follows a formal application process. According to the Federal Register filing, CME submitted an application for the exemption in February 2026, and the SEC published a notice of that application along with a request for public comment at that time. The July 2026 order represents the SEC’s final determination granting the requested relief, subject to conditions.

Rule 6h-1 generally governs how certain security futures products must be settled, including requirements tied to opening prices. The conditional exemption means CME is not required to comply with those particular opening price settlement rules for the covered contracts, provided it meets whatever conditions the SEC has attached to the relief. The full text of those conditions spans five pages in the official Federal Register document.

The order is categorized as a Notice by the SEC and carries docket file number S7-2026-04. It applies specifically to CME and to the cash-settled security futures contracts identified within the order, rather than to the broader futures or securities markets.

For market participants, broker-dealers, or investors involved in security futures products traded on CME, this regulatory change may affect how certain contracts are settled. Those with questions about how this exemption applies to their specific situation should consult the official Federal Register document or contact the SEC directly, as the full conditions and scope of the relief are detailed in the official filing. Readers are encouraged to verify any specifics relevant to their circumstances with the SEC or a qualified financial or legal professional.

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