Page 140 - AugDefComp
P. 140

INTRODUCTION


               Background

                   The County of San Mateo (“Plan Sponsor”) offers to all eligible employees a Deferred
                   Compensation Program (“Program”) through a 457(b) Plan (“Plan”). The Plan Sponsor
                   seeks to comply with the Internal Revenue Code section 457(b) and other applicable
                   laws and regulations.

                   The  Plan  Sponsor  recognizes  the  vital  role  of  education  for  both  plan  fiduciaries
                   (Boards,  Councils,  Committees,  plan  administrators  and  support  staff)  and  plan
                   participants. The details of educational programs are divided into two parts: Part 1
                   covers the duties and responsibilities for fiduciary education. Part 2 covers the duties
                   and responsibilities for participant education.


                   The Education Policy Statement (“Policy”) is based on established ERISA and state
                   regulatory requirements and industry best practices regarding both Plan Sponsor and
                   Provider responsibilities for education.  The Policy is intended to aid Plan Sponsors in
                   meeting fiduciary and other responsibilities pertaining to the Plan.

               Purpose

                   The  purpose  of  this  Education  Policy  Statement  is  to  document  the  procedures
                   demonstrating  “care,  skill,  prudence  and  diligence”  that  will  be  used  by  the  Plan
                   Sponsor  in  the  selection  and  monitoring  of  educational  programs  for  the  Plan
                   fiduciaries in Part 1 and participants in Part 2.

                   The Policy intends to establish procedures for the identification, communication, and
                   evaluation of educational programs to allow participants to make informed decisions
                   regarding their retirement planning, investments, and distributions. Further, the Policy
                   intends to establish educational programs to allow fiduciaries to fulfill their fiduciary
                   due diligence responsibilities in managing the Plan.
























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