Douglas J. Heffernan

Employee Benefits Plans

Doug helps employers design and administer:

• Qualified defined benefit pension plans (including "cash balance" plans)
• Profit sharing and stock bonus plans (including 401(k) plans) and money purchase pension plans
• Nonqualified deferred compensation plans (including 409A compliance)
• Health, disability and life insurance plans

Multiemployer Pension Plans

Doug counsels employers on multiemployer pension plan matters, including withdrawal liability. He has worked for many years with the Twin Cities hospitals on multiemployer pension plans for nurses and other hospital workers. He assists with collective bargaining negotiations regarding pension matters and ongoing administration matters for the multiemployer pension plans.

Tax-Exempt, Church and Governmental Employer Plans

Doug has experience with qualified 401(a) church and governmental plans, 403(b) tax sheltered annuities and 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, and 457 deferred compensation issues.

ERISA Litigation, Fiduciary Duties and Prohibited Transactions

Doug counsels clients to resolve problems regarding ERISA fiduciary duties and prohibited transactions, represents clients in Department of Labor and IRS investigations, and works with Faegre Drinker’s litigators in ERISA litigation.

Corporate Sales or Acquisitions or Other Organization Changes

Doug analyzes employee benefit issues arising from corporate sales or acquisitions, or other corporate organization changes, and "affiliated service group" and "leased employee" issues arising from joint ventures.

ERISA Investments

Doug advises investment advisors and fund managers on ERISA plan asset issues and prohibited transactions, including responding to IRS and Department of Labor investigations.