The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. StanCorp Equities, Inc., member FINRA, wholesales a group annuity contract issued by Standard Insurance Company and a mutual fund trust platform for retirement plans. Standard Retirement Services, Inc. provides financial recordkeeping and plan administrative services. Investment advisory services are provided by StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., a registered investment advisor. StanCorp Equities, Inc., Standard Insurance Company, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., and StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., are subsidiaries of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and all are Oregon corporations.
Top 3 SECURE Act Questions and Answers

Even though the SECURE Act has been law since December 2019, plan sponsors continue to have questions about it. The goal of the SECURE Act is to make retirement plans more accessible to Americans. So the better you understand its provisions, the more value you can offer to your clients and their employees.
We’re here to help. We’ve provided the answers to the top three questions we hear from plan sponsors. Here we go.
Question 1: Do I have to allow my part-time employees to make elective deferrals?
Answer: Yes, certain long-term, part-time workers are eligible if these things are true:
- They’ve worked part-time for three consecutive 12-month periods and worked at least 500 hours each year.
- They’re at least 21 at the end of the three-year period.
Eligibility for these long-term, part-time workers begins Jan. 1, 2024. Employers must begin counting hours for them as of Jan. 1, 2021.
Question 2: Is the reduction in age for in-service distributions for certain plans required or optional?
Answer: It’s optional. The SECURE Act lowered the minimum age for in-service distributions in qualified pension plans from 62 to 59½. It lowered the minimum age in governmental 457(b) plans from 70 to 59½. Last September, however, an IRS notice clarified that choosing an earlier in-service distribution is an optional amendment.
A plan sponsor who wants to apply the earlier in-service distribution for these plans will need to adopt the amendment by the plan-year end, rather than with the rest of the SECURE Act amendment. The SECURE Act amendment is not required to be adopted until the end of the 2022 plan year end for non-governmental plans and 2024 for governmental plans.
Question 3: Can I claim the small employer auto-enrollment credit?
Answer: Yes, you may be eligible to claim the $500-per-year credit if you sponsor a qualified plan with an Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement. You’re considered a small employer if you have 100 or fewer employees who received at least $5,000 of compensation for the prior year. The credit only applies during the initial three-year period from the time you first adopt the EACA. It’s effective for plan years that begin after 2019.
Each employer in a multiple employer plan may be eligible to take the credit if they qualify. The credit applies to the employer and not the plan. This means the employer cannot receive multiple credits for maintaining more than one plan with an EACA.
We’ll let you know about SECURE Act updates as we hear about them. Keep reading In the Loop for details.
Confidence and Compassion
A Note from Greg Ness, Chairman, President and CEO

At The Standard, we’ve been helping people achieve financial well-being and peace of mind since 1906. As the global health crisis continues to disrupt lives, communities and the economy, I am confident we’ll continue helping people when they need us the most. Our company has been through hard times and market volatility before and we will navigate through this challenge as well. As our customers face tremendous stress and uncertainty, we will continue providing support and stability to those who rely on our products and services.
This pandemic is tough on everyone. Our communities are hurting, our families and friends are distressed and some of our most vulnerable neighbors are at risk.
The crisis and the way we collectively respond to it will define a generation. We are rising to the challenge. I know every single employee at our company — along with staying focused on keeping our business running and serving our customers — is looking for ways to make a difference for those most affected by this pandemic. That’s proving true in businesses and homes across the community, the country and around the world.
Part of the tragedy of this disease is that even as we come together to help those most in need, the unique nature of COVID-19 is forcing us apart. We all understand the importance of —social distancing— to slow the spread, but we should remember that’s just physical distancing. I encourage you to find ways to safely connect with those in your neighborhood who may require extra help and with groups in your community that are making a difference and support them however you can. And now is the perfect time to reach out to friends and others and just check in.
To our health care providers, first responders and everyone selflessly setting aside their own fears and concerns to help others during this time — thank you hardly seems enough. These people are true heroes. This crisis reinforces how reliant we are on the many essential services we too often take for granted. We are grateful to so many for continuing to show up with focus and commitment.
We will get through this, especially if we are sustained by the examples of those who make us the proudest right now — family, friends, neighbors and colleagues working together — rather than allowing our fears to guide us. No matter how unsettled we may feel, remember we are not alone. There are so many people in this world trying their level best to help others. And I am certain we will get through this — together.
In times of crisis, we are defined by how we react. Let’s continue to be defined by compassion.
And to our customers, thank you for putting your trust in The Standard. What we sell is a promise to be there when you need us, and that promise is unwavering.
Be safe and well, and stay connected.
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Jared's Story: Time for Family
Age: 36 - Occupation: pediatrician - Married, one child
How the Family Care Benefit provided the ability to care for a loved one
Jared's daughter was born with a heart defect. They visited multiple specialists to diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate treatment. Then his daughter underwent surgeries, hospital stays and months of follow-up appointments. Benefits from Jared’s Platinum Advantage policy helped make up for the income lost when Jared spent time away from work to attend physician appointments and to be with his daughter in the hospital and throughout her extended recovery — providing peace of mind during a trying time.

Jody's Story:
Supportive Office Equipment
Age: 42 - Occupation: accountant - Married, no children
Assistance on the road to recovery through a rehabilitation program
Jody's role as an accountant at a small firm requires a lot of computer work. After sustaining a serious back injury from a car accident, Jody was totally disabled under her Platinum Advantage policy. Jody’s doctor recommended she purchase assistive equipment to help her work comfortably at her desk without aggravating her condition. She was able to return to work full time after participating in a rehabilitation program in which expenses for a sitstand desk and other ergonomic accommodations were paid for under her Platinum Advantage policy. These modifications helped ensure she could return to work safely, without hindering her recovery.

David's Story: Starting a Medical Career
Age: 33 - Occupation: dermatology physician - Single, no children
Benefits that match career growth through the Benefit Increase Rider
David is completing his dermatology residency and just accepted an offer at a private practice. Before the end of his residency, he purchased a Platinum Advantage policy that included the Benefit Increase Rider, knowing his income will rise significantly after he starts his first post-residency job. The benefit also will allow his policy to grow with him as he progresses in his career and receives additional salary increases. David values the fact that his coverage going forward will match his developing career.

Jason's Story: Accidents Happen
Age: 35 • Occupation: orthopedic surgeon • Married, two children
Finding work in a new occupation with the Own Occupation Rider
Jason injured his right hand in an accident and was unable to return to his job as an orthopedic surgeon because he couldn't perform surgery. Due to his medical training, he was able to return to work as a family medicine physician. Jason was considered totally disabled in his regular occupation as an orthopedic surgeon — even though he earns an income from another occupation as a family medicine physician — because of the own occupation definition of total disability included in his Platinum Advantage policy. Because of this, he receives the policy's full basic monthly benefit, in addition to the income he receives in his new position.
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