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April 21, 2004 - 8825 subscribers
Today's sponsor: Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. 


COBRA's New Notice Requirements! Are You Ready?
The DOL's proposed COBRA regulations, expected to be finalized later
in 2004, impose new notice requirements--and EBIA is here to help!
Our COBRA: The Developing Law manual is the best resource available.
Written and edited by top employee benefits attorneys, our COBRA manual
(updated quarterly) has over 1,000 pages packed with information and
sample documents to help keep your group health plans in compliance with
COBRA's requirements.
Learn More

(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
HIPAA Security and Privacy White Papers and PowerPoint Presentations
Be sure to see disclaimer at http://www.wedi.org/snip/public/articles/details%7E31.htm (The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange/Strategic National Implementation Process)

Employer-Level Changes Could Hurt HSAs
Excerpt: "[W]hat happens to [an employee's] HRA balance if their employer drops one CDH plan in favor of another. Or, what happens if the employer is acquired by a company that doesn't offer a CDH plan? Where does the HRA balance go if the employer files for bankrup.tcy or drops health coverage altogether? Consider this: ..." (Inside Consumer-Directed Care via AISHealth.com)

Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Fat Cat Fever: Executive Compensation Bills Might Pass This Year
Excerpt: "Congress may force you to tighten up your executive compensation plan very soon. Two bills that failed to pass Congress last year have reemerged in 2004, with pretty good odds for passage amid deficit pressures and election year politics." (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)

Sears Posts $859 Million Loss, Mostly Due to Benefit Plans
Excerpt: "Sears, Roebuck and Co. sustained a hefty first-quarter loss, mostly due to an accounting change involving its pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans ... The latest quarter's results included an $839 million accounting charge." (AP via MLive.com)

Text of FASB Chairman's Testimony on Stock Option Accounting Proposal (PDF)
43 pages; 4/20/04. Excerpt: "My testimony includes a brief overview of (1) the FASB ... (2) the process that the Board follows in developing accounting standards, (3) the background and basis for the Board's unanimous decision to issue a proposal to improve the accounting for equity-based compensation, (4) the key provisions of the proposal, (5) how the proposal would improve financial accounting and reporting for the benefit of investors, creditors, and other consumers of financial reports ..." (Financial Accounting Standards Board)

Attachments to FASB Chairman's Testimony on Stock Option Accounting Proposal (PDF)
145 pages; 4/20/04. Includes 'List of Companies (Alphabetical and by State) That Currently Expense or Intend to Expense Stock Options Using the Fair Value Method." (Financial Accounting Standards Board)

Newly Posted Events

'How To Minimize ERISA Benefits Claims Lawsuits' Interactive Audio Conference
Nationwide on May 5, 2004
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group

Focus on Health & Welfare Plans 2004
in District of Columbia on May 19, 2004
presented by International Society of CEBS - Capital Chapter

Guns & Hoses 2004
in California on October 3, 2004
presented by Institute for International Research
Newly Posted Press Releases

Hard Rock Cafe To Offer MoneyPass Surcharge-Free ATM Access
(Genpass Technologies)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

Account Manager- H&W
for Charles W. Cammack Associates, Inc.
in NY

Marketing & Product Development for Online Channel
for Merrill Lynch
in NJ, NY

Defined Contribution Administrator
for Small Consulting Firm in Northbrook, Illinois
in IL

Enrolled Actuary
for Long Island Employee Benefits Group, Ltd.
in NY

Retirement Plan Consultant
for Invesmart
in WA

Retirement Plan Consultant
for Invesmart
in TX

Senior Associate /Attorney
for HWA Associates
in FL

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