Guest Benmark Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 I realize that an employer is required to recieve authorization from an employee before benefit deductions are taken. However, does anyone know how the authorization is to be obtained? Can the authorization be done with an electronic signature? If a wet signature is requied, how do other employers deal with this issue? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leevena Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Yes, electronic can be done. As for the second part of the question, "If a wet signature is requied, how do other employers deal with this issue?", don't quite understand what you are asking. Sounds like you are asking how to obtain "wet" signatures? If that is the question, just send out the forms and ask for them back by a certain date. Am I missing something in your question, if so, sorry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDuns Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Some employers require a wet signature (obtained during employee orientation) consenting to future electronic enrollments and payroll deduction authorizations. Others take the position that any state law requiring a wet signature to authorize payroll deductions would be preempted by ERISA and that therefore no wet signatures are required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriecat Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 leevena, I don't think he is asking how to get wet signatures, but how to deal with needing wet signatures when he wants to do electronic. Obviously if a wet signature is required under the plan, then I think the employer would deal with that by not having electronic enrollment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Friedman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I have to admit that, until now, I've been completely unfamiliar with the term "wet signature". I usually sign documents in crayon. Would that be a "wax signature"? Lori Friedman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leevena Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 oriecat...I agree with your comments, but look at the question. It is asking "if a wet signature is required, how do other employers deal with this issue". That is why I asked if I was missing something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benmark Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Thanks for the responses. I guess my question is whether someone needs to sign an authorization (a paper form with a pen signature) before they can perform electronic benefit transactions that may affect their paycheck deductions, such as benefits enrollment, change in status, etc. Is there a legal requirement that we need to get such an authorization before electronic signatures are utlilized? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pensions in Paradise Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 "wet signature" makes me think of signing a bar tab while playing blackjack in the Hard Rock Hotel pool in Las Vegas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsb Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Benmark, if this remains a concern, you may well want to include some sort of "electronic transaction" authorization that requires wet signature at the time of hire or presentation of right-to-work documentation. Then good disclaimer and hold harmless agreements to your electronic portal, especially to the new employee's initialization process. I think that an electronic signature set up with proper security, especially in a closed environment like a benefits enrollment application, shoud be quite acceptable. How long before we stop meeting our new employees and everything is done electronically save for a notary who does a home visit to get some signatures and documentation? Can't be too far off..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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