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| May 10, 2007 |
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Pick and choose the software modules you need: DC/401(k) Proposals & Administration – DB Proposals & Administration – Retirement Plan Documents (Prototype and Volume Submitters) – Government Forms (5500s, 1099-Rs, 5300s) – Cafeteria Plan Administration & Documents – Participant Termination Calculations – FAS 132 Reporting Contact sales@datair.com or call 1-888-328-2474. |
How the New Pension Accounting Rules Affect the Dow 30's Financial Statements
Excerpt: "Disclosure in the notes to the financial statements has often been used as a compromise solution to difficult issues, and pension accounting is such an example. In the wake of the Enron bankrup.tcy, however, the days of this form of compromise appear numbered." (The New York State Society of CPAs)
Notes on This Year's Improved Pension Fund Health
Excerpt: "According to Standard & Poor's, S&P 500 company pension funds reduced their underfunding from $140 billion in 2005 to about $36 billion by the end of 2006." (Human Resource Executive Online; free registration required)
Text of Comments to EBSA by Pension Rights Center on Interim Final QDRO Regs (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "The examples accompanying the interim final rule are very helpful. However, they identify only limited situations, and, if read literally, could be interpreted to preclude the application of the rule to other circumstances. . . . [Also,] the final rule should articulate the basic principles that govern the relationship between state DROs that relate to retirement benefits and the enforcement of QDROs by plan administrators under federal law." (Pension Rights Center)
Opinion: It's Time to Curb Overtime, Bonus and Sick Leave Abuse Related to Pension Costs
Excerpt: "The dysfunction stems from separating the management of pension funds from the management of employee compensation. Department heads and HR directors tend to think in terms of their annual budget and have little incentive to control long-term pension costs on a case-by-case basis." (Congressional Quarterly, Inc.)
Mercer's Global Retirement Perspective: 2007 Issues and Ideas - Twelfth Edition
Excerpt: "[This is Mercer's site for providing] thought-provoking insights on retirement and pension issues facing multinational companies." (Mercer Human Resource Consulting LLC and Mercer Investment Consulting, Inc.; free registration required)
Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide Updated as of May 8, 2007, for Retirement Plans (PDF)
6 pages. This Federal Legislation Quick Guide provides short updates on federal legislation that is currently under active consideration by Congress or has recently been enacted into law regarding retirement plans. (Hewitt Associates)
Opinion: With the 401(x), a Trio of Retirement Savings Plans Is Obsolete
Excerpt: "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently released the report of a blue-ribbon panel making recommendations for the American capital markets. For the investment and retirement industries, one noteworthy recommendation is to consolidate the various retirement savings laws into a single statutory plan design, known inside the Washington Beltway as 401(x)." (Congressional Quarterly, Inc.)
Letter to U.S. Treasury Department from Senate HELP Committee Republicans Regarding Hybrid Plans (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "There are a number of very important guidance issues with respect to hybrid plans. It is critical that these issues be resolved in a manner consistent with Congressional intent. First, the legislation was intended to permit a broader array of interest crediting rates under cash balance plans than were previously permitted." (U.S. Congress via American Benefits Council)
Missouri Senate Returns Benefits Exemption Legislation to House
Excerpt: "The Missouri state Senate passed a tapered-back version of an income tax exemption on Social Security benefits and some retirement benefits, according to reports from the Associated Press." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Sponsored by: ASPPA
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| Advanced Actuarial Conference -- Boston, MA, June 5-6, 2007 |
| Designed by practicing pension actuaries specifically to address their unique and specialized needs, this conference covers a wide variety of current and timely issues. Workshops and general sessions will be dedicated to topics including PPA, Future DB Policy Initiatives, Yield Curve, RP 2000 Mortality Tables and Hybrid Plans. Join your fellow pension actuary colleagues at this one of a kind event. |
| (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) |
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Testimony at House Committee Hearing on Effects of Misclassifying Workers as Indep Contractors
Excerpt: "Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, and Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures [held] a joint hearing on the effects of misclassifying workers as independent contractors [on May 8]." (U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means)
EBRI Notes Article: Income of the Elderly Population Age 65 and Over, 2005 (PDF)
Pages 1-6 of 12 pages. Excerpt: "This article reviews the latest available data on the older population's income (age 65 and older), how it has changed over time, and the elderly's reliance on these sources." (Employee Benefit Research Institute)
Opinion: Entitlements Rob Americans of $51 Trillion
Excerpt: "Adding it all together yields $51 trillion: $14.4 trillion in present value of direct net benefits from Social Security, $29 trillion of direct net benefits from Medicare, and an additional $7.6 trillion of indirect and hidden triple dipping of the Social Security trust funds." (Investor's Business Daily via Cato Institute)
Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today: Fiscal, Retirement, and Health Care Insecurity (PDF)
42 pages. David Walker presentation before the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting on May 2, 2007. (U.S. Government Accountability Office)
Managing the Risks Associated with Stock Options Backdating
Excerpt: "Stock options backdating does not inherently violate any federal mandates. But for companies that lack visibility into option issuance processes, options backdating can create real business risks because of SEC disclosure and IRS tax accounting requirements." (The New York State Society of CPAs)
Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide for May 8, 2007, on Human Resources & Employment Law (PDF)
11 pages. This Federal Legislation Quick Guide provides short updates on federal legislation that is currently under active consideration by Congress or has recently been enacted into law regarding human resources and employment law. (Hewitt Associates)
Overview: EBSA's Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Excerpt: "The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has released its semiannual regulatory agenda, which outlines regulations that have been selected for review or development during the next year, as well as any regulations that have been finalized during the last six months." (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business)
The New Career Paradigm: Flexibility Briefing (PDF)
19 pages. Excerpt: "WFD Consulting conducted the study which sought to identify the workplace factors most critical to job satisfaction and personal fulfillment, and to understand whether these factors make a difference in employees' decisions to join or leave an employer." (WFD Consulting via The American Business Collaboration for Quality Dependent Care)
Newly Posted Events
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Michigan on May 24, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Nebraska on May 24, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Pennsylvania on May 24, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
Automatic Enrollment in 401(k) Plans
Nationwide on June 7, 2007
presented by AccuDraft, Inc.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND -- 2006 Form 5500, Schedule A to SSA and Back Again
Nationwide on June 18, 2007
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group
DC-2 Webcourse Now Available - Corporate Registration Discounts Also Available
Nationwide on May 10, 2007
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)
Determination Letter Applications In-Depth
Nationwide on June 28, 2007
presented by AccuDraft, Inc.
Form 5500 Workshop
in Pennsylvania on May 23, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Michigan on May 23, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Nebraska on May 23, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Florida on June 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Oklahoma on June 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Minnesota on June 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Florida on June 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Advanced
in Arkansas on June 21, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Minnesota on June 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Arkansas on June 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Arkansas on June 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Florida on June 21, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRA Elements 2007 -- Essential Elements of Periodic Training-Beginner
in Oklahoma on June 21, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
IRS Final Section 409A Regs: Clarity on Deferral Elections and Payment Timing
Nationwide on June 13, 2007
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group
Nonqualified Deferred Comp for LLCs, Partnerships, S-Corps, Not-For-Profit and Mid Size Organizations - Webcast
Nationwide on May 17, 2007
presented by Retirement Capital Group
Personalized Total Comp Benefit Statement Services Webinar
Nationwide on May 17, 2007
presented by Benefit Software Inc.
Roth Contributions and Distributions Finalized
Nationwide on June 21, 2007
presented by AccuDraft, Inc.
Section 409A: Drafting and Amending Executive Employment and Separation Agreements under the Final Regulations on Deferred Compensation
Nationwide on May 15, 2007
presented by ALI-ABA (American Law Institute-American Bar Association)
Section 409A: Executive Employment and Separation Agreements under the Final Regulations on Deferred Compensation - Webcast
Nationwide on May 15, 2007
presented by ALI-ABA (American Law Institute-American Bar Association)
The 5th Annual 412(i)Summit
Nationwide on August 1, 2007
presented by Executive Benefits Design Group
WEBINAR: Employee Record Retention -- What to Keep in Avoiding Employment Litigation
Nationwide on May 31, 2007
presented by Thompson Interactive, A Division of Thompson Publishing Group
Newly Posted Press Releases
Report Projects Future Need for Long-Term Care, Effects on Family and Public Policy
Urban Institute
ERIC Announces Release of Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Principles
ERIC (ERISA Industry Committee)
National Business Group on Health Honors CIGNA as One of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles
National Business Group on Health
Unum Named One of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles
Unum
Americans Anxious About Their Health Security
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW)
Civil Service Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages for Spousal Coverage under New York State Health Insurance Program
New York State Department of Civil Service
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
(Post a Job | View All Jobs)
Benefits Consultant
for Northwestern Benefit Corporation of Georgia
in GA
Account Relationship Manager
for Beneco, Inc.
in AZ
Product Relationship Manager
for Merrill Lynch
in NJ
Associate Attorney
for Hitesman & Associates, P.A.
in MN
Internal Retirement Plan Consultant
for Merrill Lynch
in NJ
Defined Contribution Administrator
for HPL&S Inc.
in IL
Pension Specialist
for Nationwide Insurance
in OH
Pension Benefit Advisor (PA/Upstate NY Region)
for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA
Head of Compensation and Employee Benefits
for Rady Children’s Hospital
in CA
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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