An online, clickable version of this newsletter is available at: http://benefitslink.com/2006/2006_05_03_welfare.html =========================================================== BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter (Plain Text Format) May 3, 2006 =========================================================== We thank and invite your attention to today's sponsor: www.ftwilliam.com =========================================================== Q: Where can you find high quality Cafeteria and HRA documents at competitive prices? (Advert.) http://benefitslink.com/modperl/a_d.cgi?a_d=2006_05_03_welfare (Click on above address, or copy and paste it into your web browser, to learn more.) A: www.ftwilliam.com Ftwilliam.com's website now offers software to generate Cafeteria and HRA documents. Sign-up for our free on-line demo and find out how www.ftwilliam.com can make your life easier (and save you money). Features: * Easy to learn and use * Outstanding technical support * SPDs, corporate resolutions, and participant forms included at no extra charge * Updates and amendments included at no extra charge * Extensive on-line error correction * Only $700 for unlimited use or $150/plan * Includes access for five concurrent users Ask us about our other documents and our innovative government forms software. Email us at sales@ftwilliam.com or call Holly Roussel at 800.596.0714. (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) ---------------------------------------------------------- Lawmakers Working To Gather Consensus on Association Health Plan Legislation http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=36997 Excerpt: "Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, on Tuesday said that she might introduce an amendment to an association health plan bill (S 1955) that would require such plans to include benefits currently mandated by two-thirds of states ..." (KaiserNetwork.org) ---------------------------------------------------------- Trade Associations See Potential Boon from AHP Legislation http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/nw/?postId=6222 Excerpt: "Trade associations representing small employers are eyeing the potential benefits to their own organizations if Congress passes legislation that would allow them to offer health insurance to their members." (The Hill via The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: CMS Issues Final Part D Guidance on Controlling Fraud, Waste, and Abuse http://www.mintz.com/newsletter/2006/Health-Alert-Final-CMS-Fraud-4-28-06/index.htm Excerpt: "Included in this Health Alert are highlights of the Final Guidance, which updates Chapter 9 of the Pres.cription Drug Benefit Manual and clarifies the draft guidance document issued on February 8th of this year." (Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.) ---------------------------------------------------------- Opinion: More People Will Start Companies, Thanks to Health Savings Accounts http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060401/view-opinion.html Excerpt: "I think HSAs are a great innovation, and not simply because they provide employers with a way of buying cheaper coverage for their workers at a time when health care costs continue to rise. No, I like HSAs because I think they provide an aspiring entrepreneur with a health insurance cushion so that he or she feels more comfortable leaving a job that provides coverage in order to start a company." (Carl Schramm via Inc. Magazine) ---------------------------------------------------------- Is There a Future for Individual Health Insurance? http://www.contingencies.org/mayjun06/no_easy_answers_0506.asp Excerpt: "Why doesn't the drop in employment-based coverage bode well for individual insurance? First, the drop will increase the focus on the individual market, and it may not be able to bear the scrutiny. Individuals used to obtaining insurance through their employers will expect access, affordability, and portability. Will they find it?" (Contingencies) ---------------------------------------------------------- Friends with Benefits -- But Not What You're Thinking http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/65423.htm Excerpt: "Do people love you for who you are - or just for your awesome, mind-blowing employee discount?" (The New York Post Online Edition) ========================================================== Links To Items on Executive Comp, Benefits In General ---------------------------------------------------------- A Summary of the 2006 Annual Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Reports (PDF) http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TRSUM/tr06summary.pdf 22 pages. Excerpt: "Each year the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current status and projected condition of the funds over the next 75 years. This message summarizes the 2006 Annual Reports." (U.S. Social Security Administration) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: Financing and Solvency of Social Security http://www.aarp.org/research/socialsecurity/financing/dd137_oasdi.html Excerpt: "The Trustees of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASDI) programs project in their 2006 report that the combined trust funds are sufficient to pay full benefits for the next 34 years, until 2040." (AARP) ---------------------------------------------------------- Benefits Briefs: Legal Developments Affecting Employee Benefits -- March 2006 (PDF) http://www.nixonpeabody.com/linked_media/publications/bb_march2006.pdf 5 pages. Excerpt: "In this issue: More Tax Troubles for Stock Options; Smokers' Rights -- Snuffed by ERISA?; Spouses as Preferred Beneficiaries; Waiver of Benefits Not Permitted; Crazy Cases" (Nixon Peabody LLP) ---------------------------------------------------------- Special Report: Compensation (PDF) http://www.workforce.com/tools/reports/WorkforceManagementSpecialReportCompensation.pdf 7 pages. Excerpt: "This special report on compensation describes how companies as varied as TIAA-CREF, Payless ShoeSource and TriQuint Semiconductor are making pay for performance work. Other stories examine CEO compensation and look at the changing nature of compensation surveys." (Workforce Management; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- UnitedHealth Halts Executive Options http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/02/business/02unitedhealth.web.html?ex=1304222400&en=0a33d372008d3b17&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Excerpt: "The UnitedHealth Group, under fire for the timing of lucrative options grants to executives, said Monday that it had discontinued equity-based awards to its two most senior managers and that it would cease other perks like paying for personal use of corporate aircraft." (Reuters via The New York Times; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: DOL Updates Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program http://www.seyfarth.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/news_pub.news_pub_html/object_id/5d03a6d8-12b8-449c-bced-e6ea256a26fd Excerpt: "The VFC Program is only available for the correction of certain listed transactions. The 2006 Update expands the previously listed transactions to include: ...." (Seyfarth Shaw LLP) ========================================================== Newly Posted Events 401(k) Educational Seminar With Speaker Stephen Forbes From Corbel in Connecticut on June 14, 2006 presented by National Institute of Pension Administrators-CT Chapter http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40835 401(k) Plan Workshop Nationwide on May 4, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40840 401(k) Plan Workshop in Texas on May 12, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40841 401(k) Plan Workshop in Utah on May 12, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40842 401(k) Plan Workshop in Washington on May 12, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40843 Code Section 409A Workshop in California on June 8, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40846 Code Section 409A Workshop in Colorado on June 8, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40845 Code Section 409A Workshop in Washington on June 9, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40847 Estate Planning Considerations for Qualified Plans and IRAs in Georgia on June 15, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40848 Estate Planning Considerations for Qualified Plans and IRAs in North Carolina on June 16, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40849 Fall Forum 2006 in Illinois on September 18, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40857 Fall Forum 2006 in Georgia on October 2, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40858 Fall Forum 2006 in Maryland on October 23, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40859 Fall Forum 2006 in California on November 13, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40860 Form 5500 Preparation Workshop in New York on May 17, 2006 presented by New York Metropolitan Area Chapter - ISCEBS http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40851 Form 5500 Workshop in Texas on May 11, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40837 Form 5500 Workshop Nationwide on May 11, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40836 Form 5500 Workshop in Utah on May 11, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40838 Form 5500 Workshop in Washington on May 11, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40839 Health & Welfare Plan Fundamentals - A One-Day Seminar in New York on May 25, 2006 presented by New York Metropolitan Area Chapter - ISCEBS http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40850 IRA Institute 2006 - CIP in Illinois on June 19, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40862 IRA Institute 2006 - CISP in Illinois on June 19, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40861 IRA Online Institute 2006 - CIP Nationwide on May 8, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40863 IRA Online Institute 2006 - CIP Nationwide on September 11, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40864 IRA Online Institute 2006 - CISP Nationwide on May 8, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40865 IRA Online Institute 2006 - CISP Nationwide on September 11, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40866 New! Fundamentals of 401(k) and Other Qualified Plans in Texas on June 14, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40844 Population Health Management -- Valuable Lessons from the Fortune 100 Pave the Path to Health and Profit in California on May 24, 2006 presented by ArlenGroup http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40867 Web/Telephone Seminar: Introduction to Roth 401(k)s Nationwide on June 7, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40856 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Beneficiary Distributions Nationwide on June 15, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40852 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Compliance Nationwide on June 8, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40853 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part I Nationwide on June 6, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40854 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part II Nationwide on June 8, 2006 presented by BISYS Retirement Services http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=40855 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/events/eventmaint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted Press Releases New Analysis Shows Largest U.S. Companies Continued Shift to 401(k) Plans in 2005 (Watson Wyatt) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=39738 CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Adds Heritage Funds to Retirement Platform (CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc.) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=39735 CitiStreet Surveys Show Investment Advice Spurs Action Among Retirement Plan Participants (CitiStreet) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=39739 ftwilliam.com Announces The Release Of Form 8905 (ftwilliam.com) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=39734 MediKeeper to Provide Health Management Tool For All First HSA Customers (MediKeeper) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=39730 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/pr/maint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings Pension Administrator for Primark Benefits in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H44473 Trust Administrator - Employee Benefits for Old Point Trust and Financial Services in VA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45317 Benefits & Retirement Specialist for Aerojet - Sacramento in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45743 Defined Contribution Plan Administrator for New York Life Investment Management LLC in NJ http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45744 Product Manager for New York Life Investment Management LLC in NJ http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45745 Assistant Product Manager for New York Life Investment Management LLC in MA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45746 Defined Benefit Client Account Manager for New York Life Investment Management LLC in MA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45747 Defined Benefit New Business Consultant for New York Life Investment Management in MA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45748 Benefits Administrator for Independent Benefit Services in MD http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45750 Account Executive- Philadelphia for Transamerica in PA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45752 National Accounts Consultant for Standard Insurance Company in OR http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45753 Administrative Assistant for McCready and Keene, Inc. in IN http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45754 Sr. HR Representative for Entergy Corporation in LA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45755 Not-for-Profit / 403(b) Market Manager for Transamerica in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45756 Jr. Installation Specialist for Transamerica in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45757 Benefits Manager for Callison in WA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45758 Sr. Installation Specialist for Transamerica in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45759 Defined Contribution Plan Administrator for Pension Works, Inc. in VT http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?id=H45761 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/jobs/post_help_wanted.html =========================================================== Subscribe to the BenefitsLink Retirement Plans Newsletter, Too Sign-up form is at: http://benefitslink.com/newsletter =========================================================== Copyright 2006 BenefitsLink.com, Inc.; except that you can forward this email in full (if you also include this boilerplate part) or otherwise reprint this email in full (if you include this boilerplate part) without obtaining our permission. 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