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| May 2, 2007 |
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Text of Prop. IRS Regs: Dependent Child of Divorced or Separated Parents or Parents Who Live Apart (PDF)
5 pages. Excerpt: "This document contains proposed regulations relating to a claim that a child is a dependent by parents who are divorced, legally separated under a decree of separate maintenance, separated under a written separation agreement, or who live apart at all times during the last 6 months of the calendar year. The proposed regulations reflect amendments under the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA) and the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (GOZA)." (Internal Revenue Service)
CRS Report: Required Healthcare Contributions, Fair Share Legislation, and RILA v. Fielder (PDF)
6 pages. Excerpt: "This report discusses ERISA preemption and examines the Fourth Circuit's decision [in RILA v. Fielder] in the context of the U.S. Supreme Court's past decisions on the subject. The report also considers the impact the decision could have on other attempts to enact fair share legislation." (Congressional Research Service)
Massachusetts Launches Next Program to Expand Coverage
Excerpt: "Massachusetts [yesterday] launched the next -- and possibly most crucial -- program to help the state achieve near-universal health care coverage within a few years. Under the new program, called Commonwealth Choice, state residents will be able to choose from a variety of health care plans offered by six carriers . . . ." (Business Insurance)
The New Massachusetts Health Law: Preemption and Experimentation
Excerpt: "Major features of the new Massachusetts health law are ERISA-preempted as forbidden regulation of employer-provided health care. This is a regrettable conclusion but one mandated by the ERISA Section 514 and the controlling case law." (Social Science Research Network)
2007 International Vacation Deprivation™ Survey Results (PDF)
6 pages. Excerpt: "Many U.S. employed adults may not be making full use of their vacation days and may not be getting sufficient time away from work. A substantial minority may be sacrificing vacation time for work. And work has gotten in the way of vacationing for some." (Expedia.com)
Employee Health Benefits Self-Funding and Why It Should Be Encouraged as Good National Policy
Excerpt: "In a fully-insured plan the employer has no knowledge and no way to now whether he is paying an efficient or exorbitant price for administrative services for his plan. It is all carefully hidden in the premium. In a self-funded plan, the employer either administers the plan himself in-house...in which case he obviously knows the exact cost of administration." (Society of Professional Benefit Administrators)
UnitedHealthcare Finds 'Less Is More' With Specialty Pharmacy Contracting
Excerpt: "[UHC] narrowed down its network to two SPPs for each of six therapeutic categories: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, anemia and neutropenia, growth hormone, infertility and hepatitis C. Cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia are included as well because they are 'conjunctive with the other categories,' . . . ." (Drug Benefit News via AISHealth.com)
Consumer-Directed Pioneers Trying New Strategies for Chronically Ill and Healthy Enrollees
Excerpt: "Veteran sponsors of consumer-directed health (CDH) plans say they're moving beyond their account-based health plans and incorporating new strategies to help chronically ill enrollees manage their conditions. Other new programs encourage healthy employees to stay that way." (INSIDE CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE via AISHealth.com)
More Employers Say Retirees Should have Greater Responsibility for Health Care, Survey Says
Excerpt: "Nearly two-thirds of employers in a survey published by PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute say that workers who lead unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, a poor diet and inadequate exercise, should be required to pay more for their health care, up from 48% who felt that way in 2005." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Blues Plans Are Introducing More E-Prescribing Pilots and Initiatives
Excerpt: "[Blue] Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is initiating an effort with four major health plans in that state to promote e-prescribing to members." (The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans via AISHealth.com)
Opinion: It's About Access to Health Care, Not Universal Coverage (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "Policymakers at both the state and federal levels are increasingly focusing on the uninsured and proposals that promise to achieve 'universal coverage,' in which everyone has comprehensive health insurance coverage. In this rush to provide everyone with coverage, they have forgotten the underlying goal -- providing everyone with access to health care." (The Council for Affordable Health Insurance)
Big Firms Don't Favor Retiree Health Benefits, According to Survey
Excerpt: "Seventy-three percent of large U.S. employers do not want to fund retiree health benefits but are in favor of providing access to insurance for retired workers, according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. study released Tuesday." (Business Insurance)
Meeting the Long-Term Care Needs of the Baby Boomers
Excerpt: "The projections show how changes in disability levels, financial resources, children's availability, and other characteristics will affect the future demand for paid and unpaid long-term care services." (The Urban Institute)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Listing of IRS Published Guidance for January-April 2007
The target page links to guidance published by the Service relating to retirement plans: Treasury Regulations; Revenue Rulings; Revenue Procedures; Notices; and, Announcements. (Internal Revenue Service)
White Paper: Best Practices in Benefits Communications
Excerpt: "This white paper examines the strategic and operational challenges for companies of all sizes whether they are considering implementing a new benefits plan or are well on their way in the process." (Workforce Management; free registration required)
Summary Plan Descriptions - HR Must Ensure They're Understandable Yet Legally Compliant
Excerpt: "A study released last year by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law in Lincoln, Neb., found that critical information in SPDs is, on average, written well above the comprehension level of the average employee. After reviewing 40 randomly selected health-plan SPDs, researchers at the college concluded that the average SPD is written at a college-freshman reading level . . . ." (Human Resource Executive Online; free registration required)
Text of Rev. Rul. 2007-24: Exchange of Nonqualified Annuity Contract (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "If a Taxpayer receives a check from a life insurance company under a nonqualified annuity contract, the endorsement of the check to a second company as consideration for a second annuity contract does not qualify as a tax-free exchange under § 1035(a)(3). Instead, the amount received is taxable to the extent set forth in § 72(e)." (Internal Revenue Service)
Current Controversies in Executive Compensation: 'Issues of Justice and Fairness'
Excerpt: "As Thomas Dunfee, Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics, puts it: Do executive compensation figures reflect an efficient market, or a failed one? Are pay levels adequately disclosed? Should shareholders have more say? 'Are there issues of fairness and justice?' he asked." (Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania)
To Help Executive Retention, Try Increasing Executive Benefits
Excerpt: "Enhancing your executive protection suite can be one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways to communicate your organization's appreciation for its top talent. Bolstering executive insurance -- such as life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance -- addresses important areas of financial concern and planning for executives, many of whom are greatly exposed in these areas." (Employee Benefit News)
Final Regulations under Section 409A: Implications for Equity Compensation Arrangements (PDF)
6 pages. Excerpt: "The key provisions of the Final Regulations as they relate to equity compensation vehicles, such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and phantom stock, are summarized [in the target page]." (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP)
Newly Posted Events
2006 Form 5500, Schedule A to SSA and Back Again
Nationwide on May 3, 2007
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group
HIPAA Update: Designing Wellness Programs That Are Legal and Effective
Nationwide on May 10, 2007
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training - Advanced
in Maine on June 12, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training - Advanced
in Nebraska on June 12, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training - Advanced
in New Hampshire on June 13, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training- Beginner
in Kentucky on June 12, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in South Dakota on June 12, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in North Dakota on June 13, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Kentucky on June 13, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Kentucky on June 14, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Minnesota on June 14, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Massachusetts on June 14, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Minnesota on June 14, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Minnesota on June 13, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Severance Pay: The New Rules for Deferring
Nationwide on June 14, 2007
presented by McKay Hochman Co., Inc.
The Wait is Over For Those Who Serve: Tax-Exempt and Governmental Entity Compensation Under the Final 409A Regulations - Webcast
Nationwide on May 8, 2007
presented by Venable LLP
Newly Posted Press Releases
2006 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
Mercer Human Resource Consulting
New Study Sheds Light on Americans' Real Risk of Disability
Milliman USA
Fidelity Research Finds Husbands And Wives Approaching Retirement Have Different Understanding Of Their Financial Plans
Fidelity Investments
Healthy Merits Offers Cure for Escalating Healthcare Costs
Meritain Health
Council for Disability Awareness Releases 2006 Claims Review From Leading Insurers, Social Security Data
Council for Disability Awareness (CDA)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
(Post a Job | View All Jobs)
Retirement Plan Coordinator
for The Capital Group Companies
in TX
Retirement Plan Coordinator
for The Capital Group Companies
in CA
Pension/ERISA Attorney
for Major Lindsey & Africa
in MA
Health Care and Life Events Program Manager
for Louis Thomas Masterson & Company
in OH
Special Markets Technical Advisor
for John Hancock
in MA
Pension Administrator
for R-Tech Consultants, Inc. in Woodland Hills, CA
in CA
Pension Administrator
for The Benefits Consulting Group, Inc.
in IL
Plan Administration Operations Manager
for R-Tech Consultants, Inc.
in CA
Manager, Data Consulting
for Fidelity Investments
in NH
Director, Account Management - Alliance, Multi-Fund, GMF/GVA
for Lincoln Financial Group
in IN
Manager, Actuarial Department
for Means & Associates, LLC
in CA
Benefits Consultant
for Northwestern Benefit Corporation of Georgia
in GA
Benefits Administrator
for Northwestern Benefit Corporation of Georgia
in GA
Plan Administrator
for The Newport Group
in NC
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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