Kary E. Payne

Kary Payne, a seasoned advisor in the realm of employee benefits, offers comprehensive counsel to both privately and publicly held corporations. 

Kary draws on a practical, solutions-oriented approach to serve as an invaluable partner to clients navigating the intricate landscape of employee benefits law, in the context of:

• Designing, implementing, and administrating 401(k) and profit-sharing plans
• Fiduciary and plan investment issues, including those related to employer stock holdings within 401(k) plans
• Regulatory matters before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
• Maintaining the tax-qualified status of retirement plans by assisting with internal compliance reviews and managing voluntary correction filings for fiduciary violations and administrative errors
• Health and welfare plan design, administration, and compliance

She is well-versed in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), and other pertinent federal and state regulations. Kary’s guidance encompasses a wide array of benefit programs, including flexible benefit plans, wellness programs, family building programs, health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), and employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Kary has extensive experience advising on employee benefits integration, plan design, and fiduciary governance in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. She partners with clients to negotiate substantial service agreements with major retirement and welfare plan vendors, ensuring compliance and optimal plan performance.

Before attending law school, Kary taught economics at Miami University and Xavier University.