Richard Cohen's practice encompasses pensions and employee benefits, including tax-qualified retirement plans, 403(b) plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, SERPs, cafeteria plans, ERISA and COBRA compliance. Richard has served clients and the firm in a variety of roles, including pension counsel to the corporate benefits department of a major insurance company, pension counsel to the retirement plans services unit of a major banking institution, pension counsel to the retirement plan unit of a major mutual fund company, and co-trustee of the firm's own 401(k) and profit sharing plans.
Richard speaks on pension and employee benefit issues to business associations, such as the WEB Network of Benefits Professionals, client groups, and the Connecticut Bar Association.
- Connecticut Bar Association: Executive Committee, Taxation Section; Chair, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Subcommittee (2008 - Present)
- Hartford County Bar Association
- Northeast Pension Liaison Group for the Internal Revenue Service
- Anti-Defamation League: Member, Hartford County Board
- Business for Downtown Hartford: Member, Board of Directors (2003-2011)
- MetroHartford Alliance: Government Relations Committee
- Fred D. Wish School Volunteer Tutor Program
Chartered Bank's Pension Plan, 401(k) Plan, Section 125 Plan, and SERP Counsel
Serve as pension and employee benefits counsel to a Connecticut-chartered mutual bank regarding its pension plan, 401(k) Plan, Section 125 Plan, SERP and other non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Recently redrafted Bank’s short-term and long–term incentive compensation plans, including compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.
Merging of Pension Plan into 401(K) and Converting onto Fidelity Platform
Representation of client that is a Connecticut-based member-owned risk retention group providing property and casualty insurance for public housing authorities located throughout United States. Pension counsel for many years; in 2004, merged old money purchase pension plan into 401(k) plan and assisted in converting 401(k) plan onto Fidelity Investments 401(k) platform; recently drafted deferred compensation agreements, (SERP and split-dollar life insurance) covering President and CEO.