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January 9, 2004 - 8,783 subscribers
Today's sponsor: Agent 77
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(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
The Disabling Effects of Obesity
Excerpt: "The study found that the number of people ages 30-49 who were disabled in their ability to care for themselves or perform other routine tasks increased by more than 50 percent from 1984 to 2000." (RAND Corporation)
Obesity Blamed as Disability Rates Soar for Those Under 60
Excerpt: "Disability rates rose sharply between 1984 and 2000 among Americans younger than 60, probably because of a rise in obesity, while they declined among elderly Americans, according to a new study." (Los Angeles Times; one-time registration required)
Long-Term Disability Program: Insured vs. Self-Insured (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "The three major issues to consider when deciding whether to self-insure or fully insure the LTD program are: Exposure Risk - who is ultimately responsible for paying the costs of disability coverage; Administration - who decides on how the plan terms are implemented; and Funding - determines how benefits are paid for. The following discusses each of these issues from both a full-insurance and self-insurance perspective." (Mellon's Human Resources & Investor Solutions)
Why Workers Stay Home (Pie Chart)
Excerpt: "Human resources executives say about two-thirds of workers' unscheduled absences or 'sick' days are used to shop, care for a child or take care of other personal business." (CCH via USAToday.com)
Overview: New Tax-Favored Health Savings Accounts
Excerpt: "HSAs provide a new opportunity for you to rethink your current active employee and retiree health plan designs." (Mercer Human Resource Consulting)
Common Pain Conditions Cause Extraordinary Pain for Employers
Excerpt: "Headache, arthritis, back pain, and musculoskeletal disorders cost employers $61 billion per year in lost productive time alone, according to a study published last November in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)." (BenefitNews.com)
Health Spending Rises to 15% of Economy, a Record
Excerpt: "Health spending accounts for nearly 15 percent of the nation's economy, the largest share on record, the Bush administration said on Thursday." (New York Times; one-time registration required)
Looking At the Quality of American Health Care Through the Patient's Eyes
Excerpt: "A report from The Commonwealth Fund that examines how well the health system works from the perspective of patients confirms what several other recent studies have shown-- that the U.S. performs worse than its peer nations on several dimensions of quality." (The Commonwealth Fund)
IRS Provides Guidance On Reporting Requirements For Education Savings Accounts
In Notice 2003-53, the Internal Revenue Service provides guidance regarding certain reporting requirements and transition rules applicable to Coverdell education savings accounts (CESAs) described in IRC Sec. 530. Taxpayers may contribute up to $2,000 annually to a CESA to pay qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary. (Spencer Benefits Reports)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
N.J. Senate OKs Domestic Partners Bill
Excerpt: "The state Senate approved a bill Thursday to give same-sex couples many of the rights available to legally married couples, and the governor is expected to sign it into law, making New Jersey the fifth state to recognize domestic partners." (AP via Washington Post)
Overview: Proper Handling of ERISA Benefit Claims
Excerpt: "Claims by individual participants for plan benefits have long been the 'bread and butter' of ERISA litigation, and continue to represent the vast majority of cases filed. This article outlines some common-sense tips for employers, administrative committees and the members of those committees whose job it is to respond to benefit claims." (ERISA Controversy Report, by Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen)
Chart: Selected Benefit Plan Limits for 2003 and 2004 (PDF)
1 page. Excerpt: "Annual Compensation Limit ... 2004 ... $205,000" (Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP)
Newly Posted Events
Beware of Changes to Executive Compensation Rules -- A 90-Minute Interactive Audio Conference
Nationwide on January 29, 2004
presented by Thompson Publishing Group
How to Handle Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace -- A 90-Minute Interactive Audio Conference
Nationwide on January 28, 2004
presented by Thompson Publishing Group
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Account Manager
for Andreini and Company (65th largest insurance agency in the U.S.)
in CA
Manager, Compliance Testing
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in NY
Benefits Compliance Advisor
for NRECA
in VA
Contract Enroller
for Professional Benefit Services, Inc.
in ALL STATES
Benefit Educator
for Benefit Advocates LLC
in OR
Vice President, Trust Operations
for New York Life Investment Management, LLC
in MA
Defined Benefit Conversion Specialist
for New York Life Investment Management LLC
in MA
EB Managing Consultant (03-0027580)
for Wachovia Corporation
in NC
New Business Technical Consultant
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in NY
Sr. Contracts Analyst
for Fidelity Investments
in MA
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Search BenefitsLink
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research
- Employee Benefits Library
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