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August 11, 2004
Today's sponsor: Actuarial Systems Corporation

(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)

ASC - QUALITY SOFTWARE FOR THE PENSION INDUSTRY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
ASC provides complete automation for the pension office, including:
DC/401(k) and DB administration and valuation systems, sophisticated
Compliance Testing, DV Direct Daily Valuation, Advanced Information
Manager Database (AIM), and Single-Step Processing. All ASC Technical
Support Members were experienced Pension Administrators or Actuaries
before joining ASC -- and most have been with ASC for over 10 years.

(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
401(k) Plan Asset Allocation, Account Balances, and Loan Activity in 2003 (PDF)
16 pages. Excerpt: "In an ongoing effort to track 401(k) plan participants, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI), in a collaborative effort, have gathered annual data on 401(k) plan participants since 1996 from a wide variety of 401(k) plan recordkeepers." (Investment Company Institute)

Steelworkers Protest Outside Courthouse During 'Shutdown Benefits' Hearing
Excerpt: "About 60 Ohio steelworkers and their supporters protested outside the federal courthouse in Cincinnati this morning as a federal appeals court considered a case that could decide whether 2,500 workers get their pensions after their steel mills went bankrupt." (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Overview: a Summary of the Final Rules On Deemed IRAs in Qualified Retirement Plans (PDF)
3 pages. Includes list of the advantages of deemed IRAs and their disadvantages. (Transamerica Retirement Services)

How the Fed's Interest Rate Move Affects Your Pension
Excerpt: "Workers preparing to retire should pay extra close attention to the latest interest-rate moves by the Federal Reserve. Tuesday, for the second time in six weeks, the Fed raised the benchmark rate that banks charge each other by a quarter point ... The rate increases present a particularly sharp quandary for people nearing retirement." (Wall Street Journal via SFGate.com)


Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Overview: IRS Issues Final Incentive Stock Option Regulations
Excerpt: "Except for a few clarifications and modifications, the final regulations are essentially the same as the proposed regulations issued June 9, 2003, which reorganized and updated the previous confusing mix of proposed, temporary and final regulations, as well as other guidance. The major changes of interest are as follows:" (Deloitte's Washington Bulletin)

Overview: Massachusetts Department of Revenue Issues Same Sex Marriage Guidance (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "The [Technical Information Release] recognizes that Federal law does not permit same-sex marriage, and it goes on to describe how taxpayers should comply with particular requirements of Massachusetts law that diverge from the corresponding Federal standards." (Mintz Levin)

SEC Considers Delaying Rules To Help Enact Other Reforms
Excerpt: "[SEC Chief Accountant Donald T.] Nicolaisen did not specify which SEC initiatives might be delayed in yesterday's speech, but he has said companies might be given another year to comply with a plan that would require them to treat stock options as an expense." (Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Opinion: FASB Seems Close to Resolving Stock Options Issue
Excerpt: "The problem is, FASB regrettably allowed academics to get their noses under the accounting tent, which means they'll push their favorite option-pricing models. And still out there in left field are Silicon Valley's lobbyists, fighting to get their dumb proposal enacted." (Graef Crystal on Bloomberg.com)


Newly Posted Events

Basic IRAs 2004
in Texas on September 14, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Alaska on September 14, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Minnesota on September 14, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Minnesota on September 16, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Montana on September 16, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in North Dakota on September 21, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in New Hampshire on September 23, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Michigan on September 23, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in North Dakota on September 23, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in New Jersey on September 28, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on September 28, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on September 30, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on October 5, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in District of Columbia on October 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on October 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in North Carolina on October 13, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in North Carolina on October 14, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Oklahoma on October 19, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Texas on October 21, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on October 26, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Ohio on October 28, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on October 28, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on November 2, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Mississippi on November 2, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Kentucky on November 2, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on November 4, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Ohio on November 4, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Tennessee on November 4, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on November 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Massachusetts on November 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Virginia on November 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Louisiana on November 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Maryland on November 11, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on November 11, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Louisiana on November 11, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Alabama on November 16, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Texas on November 16, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Missouri on November 18, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Alabama on November 18, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on December 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Delaware on December 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Florida on December 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in New Mexico on December 7, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Florida on December 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Arizona on December 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Pennsylvania on December 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Florida on December 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in California on December 9, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on December 14, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Basic IRAs 2004
in Illinois on December 16, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions
in New York on September 9, 2004
presented by ALI-ABA (American Law Institute-American Bar Association)

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Texas on September 15, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Alaska on September 15, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Minnesota on September 15, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Minnesota on September 17, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Montana on September 17, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in North Dakota on September 22, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in North Dakota on September 24, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in New Hampshire on September 24, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Michigan on September 24, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in New Jersey on September 29, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on September 29, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on October 1, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on October 6, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in District of Columbia on October 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on October 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in North Carolina on October 15, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Oklahoma on October 20, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Texas on October 22, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on October 27, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Ohio on October 29, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on October 29, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on November 3, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Mississippi on November 3, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Kentucky on November 3, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Tennessee on November 5, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on November 5, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Ohio on November 5, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on November 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Massachusetts on November 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Virginia on November 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Louisiana on November 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Maryland on November 12, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on November 12, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Louisiana on November 12, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Alabama on November 17, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Texas on November 17, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Missouri on November 19, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Alabama on November 19, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in New Mexico on December 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on December 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Delaware on December 8, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Arizona on December 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Pennsylvania on December 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Florida on December 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in California on December 10, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on December 15, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

Intermediate to Advanced IRA Workshop: "Distribution Planning"
in Illinois on December 17, 2004
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

The Final Word on HSAs – Overview of Recent IRS Guidance
Nationwide on August 26, 2004
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

What Do People on Medicare Think About the New Drug Law: Results of New Medicare Survey
Nationwide on August 11, 2004
presented by Kaiser Family Foundation
Newly Posted Press Releases

50th Annual U.S. Employee Benefits Conference
(International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)

U.S. Department of Labor Unveils E-mail Subscription Service Website Users Can Receive Automatic E-mail Updates
(U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C.)

SEC Brings First Enforcement Action Against Insurance Companies for Permitting Market Timing of Mutual Funds Through Variable Annuities - Insurance Companies to Pay $20 Million in Settlement
(U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)

CPI Opens San Diego Consulting Office
(CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc.)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

Institutional Services Communication Specialist
for BB&T
in TN

Director of Operations
for A member of the S&P 500 and Forbes 400 global leader in customer care
in TX

Employee Benefits Managing Consultant
for Wachovia
in VA

401k / DC Administrator
for Sentinel Benefits Group
in MA

Senior Plan Administrator
for RSM McGladrey
in MN


Handy Links:

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