People
Nancy Hilu

Nancy Hilu

Counsel
(213) 395-7617

Intro

Nancy counsels governmental entities, tax-exempt organizations, as well as private and public companies on all aspects of employee benefits.

Nancy advises clients on the design, implementation, and continued legal and regulatory compliance of their retirement plans, including defined benefit, 401(k), 457(b), and 403(b) plans. She represents plans and other fiduciaries in the preparation of plan documents, amendments, policies and other participant communications. Nancy has substantial experience representing clients during IRS employment tax and retirement plan audits and examinations and advising on tax reporting matters. She also works with plan sponsors and third-party providers to resolve benefit plan compliance issues and in preparing submissions under the IRS and DOL correction programs. She assists public agencies with Social Security coverage issues, including the 218 Agreement modification and the referendum process.

In addition, Nancy advises on various health and welfare issues such as cafeteria plans, health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts, and COBRA. Nancy's expertise covers federal and state tax treatment of fringe benefits like commuter benefit programs, life insurance, employer-provided cars, and employer-provided housing. Prior to joining the firm, Nancy was with a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services where she, among other things, conducted compliance reviews to identify operational and process gaps that could cause legal issues.

Education

LL.M., Tax University of Washington School of Law ( 2004 )
J.D. University of Virginia School of Law ( 2003 )
B.A. cum laude University of California, Los Angeles ( 1998 )

Admissions and Courts

California

Role

Intro

Nancy counsels governmental entities, tax-exempt organizations, as well as private and public companies on all aspects of employee benefits.

Nancy advises clients on the design, implementation, and continued legal and regulatory compliance of their retirement plans, including defined benefit, 401(k), 457(b), and 403(b) plans. She represents plans and other fiduciaries in the preparation of plan documents, amendments, policies and other participant communications. Nancy has substantial experience representing clients during IRS employment tax and retirement plan audits and examinations and advising on tax reporting matters. She also works with plan sponsors and third-party providers to resolve benefit plan compliance issues and in preparing submissions under the IRS and DOL correction programs. She assists public agencies with Social Security coverage issues, including the 218 Agreement modification and the referendum process.

In addition, Nancy advises on various health and welfare issues such as cafeteria plans, health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts, and COBRA. Nancy's expertise covers federal and state tax treatment of fringe benefits like commuter benefit programs, life insurance, employer-provided cars, and employer-provided housing. Prior to joining the firm, Nancy was with a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services where she, among other things, conducted compliance reviews to identify operational and process gaps that could cause legal issues.

Areas of Focus

Education

LL.M., Tax University of Washington School of Law ( 2004 )
J.D. University of Virginia School of Law ( 2003 )
B.A. cum laude University of California, Los Angeles ( 1998 )

Admissions and Courts

California

National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

"New CalPERS Focus on Social Security Coverage for Public Agency Employees," co-author, CSDA Magazine (March-April 2022)

“Cybersecurity: Are Public Defined Contribution Plans at Risk?” co-author, NAGDCA Publications Committee (June 2017)

"IRS Issues 2017 Limits for Retirement Plans," co-author, Employee Benefits Law Alert (October 2016)

“Current IRS Rules for Correcting Benefit Overpayments and Member Contribution Overpayments,” State Association of County Retirement Systems Attorney Roundtable (November 2021)

Presenter, Hanson Bridgett 2021 Annual Employee Benefits Update (February 2021)

“Meeting Your Ethical Responsibilities During COVID-19,” MCLE Marathon (January 2021)

“Fees and the Request for Proposal Process," co-speaker, NAGDCA Annual Conference (September 2019)

"Employee Benefits Update," co-speaker, Hanson Bridgett Employee Benefits Webinar (February 2019)

"Employee Benefits Update," co-speaker, Hanson Bridgett Employee Benefits Webinar (February 2018)

"Fiduciary Training Program for Governmental Defined Contribution Plan Fiduciaries,” co-presenter, Hanson Bridgett Employee Benefits Seminar (June 2017)

"Employee Benefits Update," co-speaker, Hanson Bridgett Employee Benefits Webinar (February 2017)

"Regulatory Potpourri - What current legal, regulatory and legislative issues are relevant to the success of our plans?", co-speaker, NAGDCA Annual Conference (September 2016)

"Legal Update," co-speaker, Western Pension & Benefits Council San Francisco 2016 Spring Conference (May 2016)

"Employee Benefits Update," co-speaker, Hanson Bridgett Labor & Employment Seminar (January 2016)

"IRS Determination Letter Program Update," Hanson Bridgett Labor & Employment Seminar (January 2016)

"How to Prepare for an IRS Plan Audit," Hanson Bridgett Labor & Employment Seminar (January 2016)

“Employment Tax Audit Issues,” CALAPRS Attorney Roundtable (September 2015)

“UBTI Issues for Private Equity Investors,” CALAPRS Attorney Roundtable (September 2015)

"How to Prepare for an IRS Audit," NTSA 403(b) Plan Summit (June 2015)

"Avoiding Formation and Compensation Pitfalls," co-speaker, Keiretsu Forum Entrepreneur Academy (September 2012)

"Pension Reform," co-speaker, County Payroll Managers Fall Meeting (September 2012)