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August 22, 2003 - 8,445 subscribers
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Benefits Community Asks For More Time On COBRA Regs
Pleas to delay the effective date of COBRA notification regulations dominate the comments submitted to Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). On May 28, EBSA issued proposed regulations that clarify the requirements for notices concerning COBRA continuation of health care coverage. The proposed regulations provide guidance and model notices for employees and their dependents to continue their group health care coverage under COBRA. (Spencer Benefits Reports)
Text of Public Comments to DOL Proposed COBRA Notice Regulations
The original letters have been saved as PDF documents and are available for downloading from the DOL web site. (U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration)
IRS to Rethink Debit Card 1099 Rule
Excerpt: "Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials are reconsidering rules issued earlier this year requiring employers to issue 1099 forms for all payments made to an employee debit card." (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)
Job Seekers Name Telecommuting As Most Coveted Perk
Excerpt: "Recent survey results show when it comes to looking for a job, the ability to work from home is a top priority for the majority of employees. Of the more than 200 employees polled by TrueCareers, 47% are current telecommuters, with 41% phoning it in at least 20 hours a week. The survey also finds 84% say being able to telecommute is a major consideration in taking a new job ..." (BenefitNews.com)
Voluntary Benefits, Paid By Employees, Have An Appeal
Excerpt: "Mounting medical costs are forcing an increasing number of companies to garner employee loyalty with a wider array of benefits. The catch is this: Employees pay the entire cost of these new plans." (The Arizona Republic)
Many U.S. Employees Would Prefer Health Insurance Benefits Over Higher Pay, Survey Says
Excerpt: "Many U.S. employees would prefer lower-pay jobs with health insurance benefits to higher-pay jobs with no coverage benefits, according to a national survey released on Aug. 19, Bloomberg/Asbury Park Press reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Consultant Offers Tips To Help Employers Succeed With Consumer-Directed Healthcare
Excerpt: "Keep deductibles reasonably high.... Make health reimbursement ... contributions around 40% to 60% of the deductible ... Beware of the 'look back loophole.'" (BenefitNews.com)
California Lawmakers To Propose Legislation That Would Provide Healthcare to State Residents
Excerpt: "California lawmakers on Aug. 21 hope to release a 'landmark' bill that would expand health coverage to uninsured state residents, the San Jose Mercury News reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Wall Street Journal Examines FDA Plans for 'Broader Review' of Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads
Excerpt: "The Wall Street Journal on Aug. 21 examines plans by the FDA to conduct a 'broader review' of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements. An FDA strategic plan released Aug. 20 -- the first for FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan -- highlighted the issue." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Predicted Alzheimer's Prevalence Makes LTC More Attractive
Excerpt: "The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is likely to explode as much as 300% for the current generation of young employees, giving employers more reason to offer and encourage the purchase of long-term care (LTC) policies." (BenefitNews.com)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
The Legal and Administrative Environment for Employee Stock Options in the European Union (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "In June 2003, the European Commission released a report on the legal and administrative environment for employee stock options in the European Union (EU), prepared by experts in the field of employee stock options. This letter focuses on the report's analysis and conclusions on the issue of stock option accounting." (Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Benefits Customer Service Representative, Birmingham, MI
for Ceridian
in MI
Defined Pension Benefit Manager, Birmingham, MI
for Ceridian
in MI
Retirement Plan Specialist (Part-Time)
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in CT
Retirement Plan Service Representative
for Standard Insurance Company
in CA
Director of Sales
for ClearBenefits, Inc.
in CA
Newly Posted Webcasts
(Post Yours!)
401k Service Outsourcing - Strategy For Success?
on September 4, 2003
presented by McHenry Consulting Group
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Search BenefitsLink
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research
- Employee Benefits Library
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