JOHN R. KEEGAN
Professional Experience
The Wagner Law Group, A Professional Corporation, Boston, MA. March 2003 – present
Partner
Responsible for consulting with firm clients on a wide variety of issues with respect to qualified retirement plans, tax-sheltered annuities, nonqualified deferred compensation, VEBAs, welfare plans, split-dollar life insurance arrangements, and executive compensation.
Activities include:
- Defined benefit and defined contribution plan reviews for operational compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;
- Representing clients during IRS, DOL, and PBGC audits of employee benefit plans;
- Consulting regarding redesign of combined 401(k)/ESOP plans and defined benefit cash balance conversions;
- Implementing 404(k) dividend deduction strategy for ESOPs; consulting regarding pre-funded retiree medical plans using grantor trusts and VEBAs;
- Drafting all types of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans; and
- Negotiating with IRS to obtain favorable IRS determination letters for all types of qualified retirement plans.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Global Human Resources Solutions Group, Legal and Regulatory Compliance,
Boston, MA. September 1997 – February 2003
Senior Consultant
- Similar duties to above listed employment.
Aon Consulting (formerly The Alexander Consulting Group), Newburyport, MA. 1990 – September
1997
Senior Research Attorney
- Responsible for monitoring federal legislative and regulatory activity, court rulings and federal agency rulings affecting qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, executive compensation and related tax and estate planning issues, and other related employee benefits. This information is analyzed and communicated to Aon actuaries, retirement planning and executive compensation consultants and clients.
- Also responsible for providing specific legal and technical analysis and guidance in these areas to actuaries, consultants, and clients as requested.
The New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA. 1989 – 1990
Senior Pension Attorney
- Responsible for providing legal and technical analysis and guidance, including document drafting regarding all aspects of pension planning, administration and taxation to national field force, their clients and home office management.
Flynn, Joyce & Sheridan, Boston, MA. 1987-1989
Associate
- Primary areas of practice included estate planning, estate administration, and general probate matters. Secondary areas of practice included general corporate and real estate matters.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Wellesley Hills, MA. 1983-1987
Advanced Underwriting Officer
- In charge of Advanced Underwriting Department consisting of three lawyers and two technical support staff.
- Responsible for providing legal and technical support in the areas of estate planning, income tax planning, financial planning, business and pension planning to national field force, their clients, and home office management.
- Also responsible for developing and maintaining prototype pension plans and sample legal documents.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Wellesley Hills, MA. 1981 – 1983
Assistant Counsel
- Responsible for providing legal and technical analysis and guidance in the areas of estate planning, income tax planning, financial planning, business and pension planning to national field force, their clients, and home office management.
New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA. 1975 – 1981
Pension Legal Specialist; Group Pension Attorney; Pension Attorney
- Responsible for providing legal and technical analysis and guidance regarding all aspects of pension planning, administration and taxation to national field force and home office management, including document drafting.
New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA. 1972 – 1975
Group Pension Administrator
- Responsible for administration of group pension plans, including development and implementation of administrative procedures.
EDUCATION
- Suffolk University (cum laude), Boston, MA.
- Suffolk University Law School (cum laude), Boston, MA
- Boston University Law School (LLM Taxation), Boston, MA
- American College (CLU, ChFP), Byrn Mawr, PA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bar Status
- Admitted to Massachusetts Bar 1977
Presentations/Publications/CLE
- Published, Boston Bar Journal; BNA Pension Reporter; RIA Executive Compensation Coordinator; Journal of Deferred Compensation; Journal of Pension Planning Compliance; CCH Pension Plan Guide. 1980 – present
- Instructor, Bentley College, Center for Continuing Education, Waltham, MA. 1981 – 1987
- Instructor, Insurance Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, MA. 1985 – 1987
- Speaker, Massachusetts Society of CPAs. 1985 – 1987
- Speaker, Enrolled Actuaries’ Meeting, Washington, DC. 1994
- Speaker, Bentley College National Federal Tax Institute 1997
- Member of Editorial Advisory Board of Journal of Deferred Compensation
Honors & Awards
- Subject of Biographical Record, Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders in America
- Subject of Biographical Record, Who’s Who in American Law
- Subject of Biographical Record, Who’s Who in America