Reference Resources

[SMB]

For those of you fellow TPAs who can take just a minute away from annual data requests, 1099-R prep and 401(k) testing...

I am a "micro" TPA shop (DC only) and am looking into purchasing some sort of reference resource. In the past I have usually purchased various versions of the "Answer Books" (Aspen Publishers), but it seems such a waste to buy hard-bound books anymore, especially when they are typically already somewhat "dated" before the ink dries! Consequently, I am interested in a CD-based or WEB-based service that's updated periodically.

The "ERISA Outline Book" seems to be the reference of choice for most of the BenefisLink subscribers (plus, the price seems much more "budget-friendly" than many services). That being said, I'd be interested in hearing any and all comments (pro and/or con) that anyone would care to offer regarding other resource providers - e.g., Sungard Corbel's "Pension Library", Aspen's "Pension and Benefits eLibrary", CCH's WEB-based "Pension Plan Guide", etc.

Thanks for the input!

[Effen]

We use CCH's WEB-based "Pension Plan Guide", which comes with access to several "answer books" on-line. I like the service, but I have always preferred CCH to RIA. I like to have the code/Regs accessible so that I can read things for myself. I tend to use the answer books and ERISA outline only as a guide. Without the Code/Regs, their answers can sometimes be a bit incomplete.

CCH on-line is pricey, but it is nice to have access to the code from anywhere (office, home, etc). That way if you are doing work from home, you don’t need to have all those reference books around. Its all just a click away.

[JanetM]

Effen, I agree. I have been using CCH online for years now. Currently I have every option on the Pension tab - all the Aspen publications etc.... Couldn't live without it. The best part is how they keep it updated so you never have to worry about outdated information.

[John Feldt ERPA CPC QPA]

We started using the CCH online version of the answer books last year. We don't subscribe to all of the answer books online, just a dozen, but that keeps us up-to-date at a much lower price than buying hardbacks. I especially like the hyperlinks embedded in their answers, so I can read the code or reg myself by just clicking on the link. We still subscribe to the ERISA outline as well (books and the CD).

[Belgarath]

I second the prior responses. I will say that the Code and Regs are both available for free over the internet. On a personal level, I'm a little old fashioned, and I need a hard copy - much easier for me when looking up all the darned cross-references - trying to do it on a monitor is slower and tiring on the eyes! - so I get the CCH hard copy of Pension and Employee Benefits. Gives the applicable Code, Regs, and ERISA in two volumes.