Blog
September 22, 2026
Five Things Employers Should Review Before Year-End Retirement Plan Testing Season Begins
Year-end retirement plan testing may still seem months away, but many of the issues that create delays and corrections can be identified long before the fourth quarter arrives.
A simple review now can help employers reduce unnecessary stress and avoid last-minute surprises.
Before testing season begins, employers should consider these five questions:
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Are participant census records accurate and up to date?
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Have all eligible employees been properly identified?
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Have ownership changes or compensation adjustments been captured correctly?
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Are contribution records complete and accurate?
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Have any organizational changes occurred that could affect the retirement plan?
Addressing these items early can help reduce corrective work, improve data quality, and make year-end testing more efficient. Waiting until the fourth quarter often means working under tighter deadlines and spending additional time resolving issues that could have been addressed months earlier.
At Benefit Equity, a Strongpoint Partner, we help employers stay ahead of year-end requirements through census reviews, compliance testing, operational guidance, and ongoing administration support designed to keep plans running smoothly.
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Call us on 714-480-1364 to stay on the right side of compliance.
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Connect with us here to take the guesswork out of designing and managing your plan.
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