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Retirement Plans
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March 25, 2004 - 13,655 subscribers
Today's sponsor: DATAIR Employee Benefit Systems, Inc.

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Software for 401(k), DB and Flexible Benefits
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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)
Many Mutual Funds Still Not Using 'Fair Value' Pricing
Excerpt: "Nearly a third of 960 mutual funds surveyed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hadn't used 'fair value' pricing in the 20 months ended last September, the SEC said, according to a Reuters news report." (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)

Overview: Proposed Regs on Elimination of Optional Forms of Benefit
Excerpt: "Under the proposed regulations, an employer could eliminate an optional form of benefit if the plan retains a similar form with the same value or if the plan permits participants to select among a specified group of core options that have the same value as the eliminated form." (CCH News & Information Library)

Overview: the Saver's Tax Credit
Excerpt: "[Taxpayers should be aware of] a non-refundable tax credit known as 'the saver's tax credit' (or saver's credit). Because this credit is in addition to any tax deduction received for contributions made to a Traditional IRA, it helps to reduce the taxpayer's tax liability to the IRS." (Denise Appleby, CISP, CRPS on Investopedia.com)

Red Flag Raised About Benefit Costs In Tampa
Excerpt: "The proposal to increase benefits for Tampa police and firefighters could leave the city $200-million in the hole--- far more than initially projected, and enough to make at least one state legislator flinch." (St. Petersburg Times)

Overview: DOL Issues New Guidance on Modified QDROs
Excerpt: "The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued Advisory Opinion 2004-02A, providing guidance to retirement plan administrators handling qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) that are modified. The guidance states that plan administrators must review modifications made by a court to an existing QDRO in determining whether the revisions satisfy the statutory requirements for a QDRO, and if so determined, apply the modifications prospectively." (BNA Tax Management)

Teachers Seek End To Social Security Penalty
Excerpt: "Texas teachers and other public employees are fighting mad that the Social Security system penalizes them by reducing their benefits when they retire -- and they want Congress to do something about it. The problem is that Texas teachers' retirement system is separate from Social Security and that the federal government decided 20 years ago to impose penalties that essentially prevent 'double dipping.'" (Star-Telegram.com)

Overview: Deductibility Limits for Traditional IRAs
Excerpt: "Today we focus on the guidelines that determine whether or not you are able to take a tax deduction for any participant contribution you make to your Traditional IRA for year 2003." (Denise Appleby, CISP, CRPS on Investopedia.com)

Aon Phasing Out Defined Benefit Plan
Excerpt: "U.S. Aon employees hired since January 1, 2004 will be enrolled in the new plan. The company will keep its defined benefit plan for people hired before then." (Workforce.com)

Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Supreme Court Denies Request for Certiorari on 9th Circuit Domestic Partner Case
Excerpt: "Whether or not San Francisco was in violation of the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution by requiring contractors to provide domestic partner benefits to employees is an issue that will not be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court." (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)

Newly Posted Events

The New 412(i) Guidelines Webcast
Nationwide on April 27, 2004
presented by ASPA (American Society of Pension Actuaries)

Social Security Trustees Report
Nationwide on March 22, 2004
presented by Kaiser Family Foundation

Top Developments in Pharmacy Benefit Management
Nationwide on April 15, 2004
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

Qualified Plans Update
in Illinois on April 21, 2004
presented by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Newly Posted Press Releases

2004 Trustees Report - Little Change in Long Term Solvency of Social Security
(Social Security Administration)

The Principal Financial Group Introduces Online Claim Reports for Employers; New eClaim Reporting Capabilities Provide Employer Customers 24/7 Access to Information
(Principal Financial Group)

The Principal Introduces New Registered Defined Benefit Solution
(Principal Financial Group)

Blue Shield of California Offers Online Benefits Administration To Employers; Contract with BeneTrac Provides Enhanced Capabilities At No Additional Charge
(BeneTrac)
Movers and Shakers: Newly Posted Announcements of Promotions and New Personnel
(Post Yours!)

Al Otto (White Horse Advisors, LLC)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

Director of Benefits
for Co-Advantage Resources
in FL

401(k) Plan Specialist
for Retirement Plan Services, L.L.C.
in MO

Senior 401(k) Conversion Manager
for ADP TotalSource
in FL

DB/DC Programmer
for Recruiting Firm Seeking Retirement Systems Personnel
in MA

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