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August 30, 2006
Today's sponsor: Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA)

(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
Banner ad for Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA)

Record Retention Requirements for Health & Welfare Plans

In Record Retention Requirements for Health & Welfare Plans, EBIA's experts analyze record retention requirements for ERISA health and welfare plans as well as other employer-provided health and welfare benefits not subject to ERISA. You'll find answers to your record retention questions for many benefits including cafeteria plans, DCAPs, qualified transportation plans, HSAs, group health plans (like major medical, dental, health FSAs, and HRAs), and other ERISA benefits.

Record Retention Requirements for Health & Welfare Plans is available now at the introductory price of $195.
Please enter priority code BL195. For more information and to order, visit http://www.ebia.com/OtherOfferings/Books/RecordRetention.


(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)

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
Post a Help Wanted Ad

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




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