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January 8, 2004 - 13,655 subscribers
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CalPERS Reviewing its Relationship with Franklin Resources
Excerpt: "The nation's largest public pension fund is reviewing its relationship with mutual-fund company Franklin Resources because of concerns over an investigation of trading abuses." (Dow Jones via The Mercury News)
Talking Points on SEC's Proposed Hard 4:00 Rule and Related Legislation (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "Hard 4:00 rule disadvantages participants in retirement plans" (American Benefits Council)
Proposed 4 p.m. Deadline: Is Time on Your Side?
Excerpt: "Technology is the weapon that will enable Wall Street to win its battle against late trading." (Wall Street & Technology Magazine)
What Is an Employer's Deadline for Depositing Profit-Sharing and Matching Contributions?
Excerpt: "The deadline for placing a plan's profit-sharing and matching contributions into the plan's trust will be determined first by looking to the plan document, which may include deadlines as a matter of plan design. If the plan document merely requires that profit-sharing contributions be made by the date required by law (as many plans do), then the deadline will be determined under Code Section 404(a) ..." (Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA))
AP Coverage: Head of PBGC Leaving
Excerpt: "The head of the government's pension insurance program said Wednesday he will quit next month after more than two years on the job." (AP via Washington Post)
Study: Suits With Pensions as Lead Plaintiff Rake In Bucks
Excerpt: "Increasing numbers of public pension funds are signing on as plaintiffs in class-action suits, helping those filing the litigation walk away with win bigger settlements for plaintiffs." (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)
Overview: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Provides Clearer Guidance on Interest Rate Rules for Loans
Excerpt: "The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA) is amended and restated by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA), effective on its date of enactment, December 19, 2003. Like the SSCRA, the SCRA applies to members of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) who are on active duty (or service under a call to active service for a period of ore than 30 consecutive days, in the case of a member of the National Guard)." (TRI Pension Services, Inc.)
IRS Explains On-Site Plan Audit Policy
Excerpt: "The IRS has provided an explanation of its policy of conducting audits at a taxpayer's place of business, pursuant to Reg. Sec. 301.7605-1(d), rather than a pension professional's place of business or elsewhere." (CCH News & Information Library)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Is It Time to Take the 'Spin' Out of Employee Communication? (PDF)
12 pages. Excerpt: "A Towers Perrin survey of 1,000 working Americans suggests that many companies may be losing the credibility battle when it comes to communicating with employees. Specifically, the survey responses indicate that companies may be trying too hard to 'spin' their internal communications and, as a result, may be undermining their credibility with many employees." (Towers Perrin)
New Disclosures for Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits (PDF)
Excerpt: "Most employers must act quickly to implement financial statement disclosures about pensions and postretirement benefits newly required under a revised accounting standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)." (Milliman USA)
Newly Posted Events
HSAs - Heath Savings and Investment Opportunity
Nationwide on February 5, 2004
presented by SunGard Corbel
What's In It For Us? The New Medicare Law and Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
Nationwide on January 13, 2004
presented by ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits
Chronic Disease Management Strategies For Employers
in Illinois on April 19, 2004
presented by International Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC)
Enron Part Two: Directed Trustees and Employer Stick
Nationwide on January 27, 2004
presented by ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits
Newly Posted Press Releases
Hewitt Launches Flexible Spending Account Administration Service
(Hewitt Associates LLC)
Regulatory Uncertainty Eroding Employer Support for Pension Plans, Hewitt Study Shows
(Hewitt Associates LLC)
GoldK® TPA BackOffice™ Platform Achieves Rapid Market Acceptance Surpassing Its 50th TPA Partner
(GoldK, Inc.)
Portfolio Systems, Inc. Software Helps Attorneys and Investors
(Metrics Partners)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
ERISA Associate
for Trucker Huss, APC
in CA
Retirement Services Account Manager 2
for SunTrust Bank
in DC
Pension Actuary
for VPC Group
in ALL STATES, VA
Consultant/Broker
for Benefit Partners, Inc.
in CA
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