August 30, 2006 Today's sponsor: Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA) (Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
Survey Results: 2007 Segal Health Plan Cost Trends (PDF) 6 pages. Excerpt from press release: 'The 2007 Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey forecasts continued declines in trends in 2007. Despite this projected deceleration, medical and prescription drug plan costs are expected to outpace general inflation and wage increases." (The Segal Company) Fewer People Receiving Health Coverage Through Employers; Number of Uninsured at All-Time High Excerpt: "The number of U.S. residents without health insurance increased by 1.3 million in 2005 to a record 46.6 million individuals, or 15.9% of the U.S. population, compared with 45.3 million individuals, or 15.6% of the population, in 2004, according to figures from the U.S. Census Current Population Survey released on Tuesday . . . ." (KaiserNetwork.org) AARP Says 'Best Employers for Workers Over 50' Offer Flexible Work Arrangements Excerpt: "For example, Volkswagen . . . offers some of its full and part-time employees flex time, compressed work schedules, job sharing and telecommuting. Some employees phase into retirement with part-time work. The auto manufacturer gives its retirees work opportunities, offering temporary work assignments, consulting work, and telecommuting, in addition to part-time work." (AARP) Overview: Court Permits Breach-of-Fiduciary Duty Claim to Proceed in Denial of Coverage Case Excerpt: "The defendants moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that . . . her breach-of-fiduciary claims must fails because the recovery of damages 'is not a right reserved exclusively to an ERISA plan, not individual plan participants.' The district [court] . . . denied the motion to dismiss as to the ERISA-based claims." (ERISA on the Web (blog by Branham & Day law firm)) For Some, Telecommuting Proves Too Difficult; Some Companies Respond It's an ironic twist on corporate America's march toward telecommuting: A small but significant number of foot soldiers dislike the trend. As more employers encounter work-at-home employees who yearn for a cubicle again, a few are developing specific strategies to help." (CareerJournal.com) Notching Up Commuter Benefits Excerpt: "With gas prices near record highs, more employers are offering commuter benefits to ease the burden on their employees and attract new ones." (BenefitNews.com) USA Today Editorial, Opinion Piece Examine Issue of Price Transparency in Health Care Excerpt: "'Unlike restaurants, hospitals don't list prices on a menu. Perhaps it's time they did,' a USA Today editorial states." (KaiserNetwork.org) The Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home: Preventing Presenteeism Excerpt: "Employees who think they are doing their employers a favor by showing up for work when they really aren't up to the job need to think twice. That's because they end up costing their company money in lost productivity -- a phenomenon known as presenteeism." (Ceridian Connection) California Assembly Approves Bill That Would Create State-Run Single-Payer Health Care System Excerpt: "The proposal has 'virtually no chance of becoming law but could become fodder in the governor's race this fall,' the [San Jose] Mercury News reports . . . . The bill would eliminate private medical insurance and establish a statewide health insurance system for all residents." (KaiserNetwork.org) Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General EBSA Seeks Nominations for Vacancies on ERISA Advisory Council (PDF) Excerpt: "The terms of five members of the [Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans] expire on November 14, 2006. The groups or fields they represent are as follows: (1) Employee organizations; (2) employers; (3) actuarial counseling; (4) investment counseling; and (5) the general public. . . . Recommendations must be delivered or mailed on or before October 1, 2006." (Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor) Newly Posted Events ERISA Workshop - With Significant Coverage of PPA 2006 in Massachusetts on October 3, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel ERISA Workshop - With Significant Coverage of PPA 2006 in New York on October 4, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel ERISA Workshop - With Significant Coverage of PPA 2006 in California on October 5, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel ERISA Workshop - With Significant Coverage of PPA 2006 in Pennsylvania on October 5, 2006 presented by SunGard Corbel Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Iowa on September 12, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Texas on September 13, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Texas on September 13, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Texas on September 14, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Iowa on September 14, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Journey deep into the world of IRAs in Texas on September 14, 2006 presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Selling Stock Directly to Employees Nationwide on November 20, 2006 presented by National Center for Employee Ownership The Pension Protection Act of 2006: What Employers Should Begin Focusing on Now Nationwide on September 12, 2006 presented by McGuireWoods LLP Newly Posted Press Releases Segal Survey Predicts Declines In Trends in 2007 (The Segal Company) Delay in Effective Date for Regulations Under Section 403(b) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)) 401kLoans LLC Announces Efficient New 403(b) Loan Origination And Documentation Solution (401kLoans, LLC) Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings Account Executive - Group Employee Benefits for BWD Group LLC in NY Retirement, Trust & Estate Specialist for Charles Schwab in IN Union Benefits Manager for Cadbury Schweppes Americas in TX Operations Manager for Milliman, Inc. in WA Associate Product Manager for Citigroup - Smith Barney in NY Assistant Director of FSA/HRA Administration for MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions, Inc. in FL Handy Links:
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