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November 7, 2005
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U.S. Should Establish National Health Care System, Columnist Writes
(Kaiser Family Foundation)

Proposed Section 409A Regulations: Overview of Payment Elections and Payment Triggers (PDF)
(K&LNG Compensation & Benefits Alert)

The Hill Examines Congressional Debate Over Proposed Expansion of TRICARE
(Medical News today)

Rising Health Insurance Premium Rates Create Balancing Act for Employers
(Kansas City Business Journal via bizjournals.com; one-time registration required)

Americans Often Do Not Take Into Account Health Benefits In Their Retirement Planning
(Spencer's Benefits Reports)

Social Security Administration to Redefine Disability Age Categories
(National Underwriter Life & Health; free one-time registration or paid subscription required)

Regulating Retirement Funding in the United Kingdom and the U.S.
(Oxford Analytica via Forbes)

Overview: 2006 Limits for Various Employee Fringe Benefits
(Faegre & Benson LLP)

Dealing with Troubled Pension Plans When Structuring a Divorce Settlement Agreement
(Divorce, Pensions and Retirement Benefits Newsletter)

Sources of Health Insurance and Characteristics of the Uninsured: Analysis of the March 2005 CPS (PDF)
(Employee Benefit Research Institute)

UnitedHealthcare Rating Physicians -- Some Doctors Say Cost-Efficiency Measure Not Complete Picture
(Nashville Business Journal via bizjournals.com; one-time registration required)

Comments: GAO Report Urges Congress to Eliminate Legal Limbo for Cash Balance Plans
(Attorney B. Janell Grenier via Benefitsblog.com)

Employers Place Little Faith in Health Care Strategies, According to Survey
(Employee Benefit News)

Comments to DOL on Electronic Filing of Annual Reports Submitted Electronically October 31, 2005
(American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Overview: Section 409A -- IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Governing Deferred Compensation
(John E. McGrady, III, Esq. Buchanan Ingersoll, PC via BNA Tax Managment)

Chart: The 403(b) Market
(bWise Guys, LLC)

Dell and Intel Produced Better Returns by Designing Their Own Sets of Targeted 401(k) Funds
(Treasury & Risk Management)

Tax Reform Spooks 401(k) Industry & Appears to Threaten Employer-Sponsored Retirement Saving Plans
(defined contribution & savings plan alert)

Wal-Mart Conference on Wal-Mart Draws Critics of Its Pay and Benefits
(Bloomberg)

Big-Box Worker Benefits Detailed
(The Ukiah Daily Journal)

Does GAO Say that Pension Revamp Hurts Workers?
(AP via Clarionledger.com)

Model Roth 401(k) Amendment
(SunGard Corbel)

Fiduciary Focus: Pension Consultant Shell Game, Part 2 -- Response to Reactions to Original Column
(W. Scott Simon via Morningstar)

Overview: Order Vacated in AARP v. EEOC
(The Segal Company)

2006 Cost-of-Living Adjustments for HSAs, Transportation Benefits, Adoption Assistance, and More
(Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)

Overview: Medical and Transportation Double-Dipping Arrangements Eligible for IRS Settlement Program
(Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)

At Lower Cost to Patient, California HMOs Send Some Enrollees to Mexico
(The Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Plan Amendment Was Abuse of Discretion
(PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)

Treasury Has Not Yet Fully Addressed Information Reporting on Deferred Comp for Tax Year 2005
(PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)

Alternate Payee Can Pursue QDRO After Participant Death
(PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi Introduces Bill to Help Small Businesses Provide Affordable Heath Insurance
(PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)

Senate Approves PBGC Premium Hike
(PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)

Gimmickry of Accelerated Option Vesting
(AP via The Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Workers Lose in Cash Balance Plans, According to GAO Study
(Reuters via The Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Private Pensions: Information on Cash Balance Pension Plans
(U.S. Government Accountability Office)
Newly Posted Events

409A Recommended Actions Before Year End
Nationwide on November 15, 2005
presented by Winston & Strawn

How Much Am I Spending On My Employees? How To Benchmark Total Rewards
in Texas on December 6, 2005
presented by Worldwide Employee Benefits Network (Dallas Chapter)


Newly Posted Press Releases

Health Insurance Enrollment: Two Distinct Periods Reflect Crosscurrents in Employment-Based, Public Programs
(Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI))

New White Paper by Fred Reish Explores Emerging Fiduciary Responsibilities and Challenges
(Ameriprise Retirement Services)


Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

401(k) Administrator
for Redwood Administrators, Inc.
in NJ

Assistant Administrator
for McCready and Keene, Inc.
in IN




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