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September 14, 2007
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Here are the Web's best new links about compliance and cost aspects of plan operation, design and policy.


Today's sponsor is BeneCom Associates, LLC

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Since 1992, BeneCom has provided one-stop benefit communications for organizations large and small, nationwide. Staffed by people who know benefits, we write, design and produce effective media, including SPDs, enrollment materials, newsletters, benefit statements and more. So whether you're an employer, plan administrator or consultant in need of traditional or online capabilities, we're here to help. Call (860) 674-2626 today.

New Compliance Rules; News

As Contract Deadline Approaches U.S. Auto Union Poised to Accept Sweeping Concessions
Excerpt: "Sources close to the negotiations say an agreement by the deadline is unlikely and that talks will continue throughout the weekend to finalize a deal. The UAW has made it clear it has no intention of calling a strike that could hurt the auto companies." (World Socialist Web Site)

Audio and Text: Epic Auto Contract Talks Focus on Health Care
Excerpt: "At midnight [tonight], the current contract between the United Auto Workers and Detroit's three car companies ends. Both sides are trying to work out a new deal that would help the struggling firms and protect workers' benefits. Some people who follow the industry say its future is at stake." (All Things Considered via National Public Radio)

San Francisco to Offer Care for Uninsured Adults
Excerpt: "To make sure the new safety net does not encourage businesses to drop their private insurance, the city in January will begin requiring employers with more than 20 workers to contribute a set amount to health care. The Healthy San Francisco program is one of several possible destinations for that money, with others being private insurance or health savings accounts." (The New York Times; free registration required)

UnitedHealth Aims to Bar Another Stock Option Inquiry
Excerpt: "The UnitedHealth Group, trying to fend off another investigation into the company's backdating of stock options, asked the Minnesota Appeals Court on Thursday to block an inquiry by the state's attorney general." (The New York Times; free registration required)

Compliance Rule Summaries/Analysis/Filed Comments

Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide Updated September 11, 2007, for Health and Welfare Plans (PDF)
8 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 health and welfare benefit plans. (Hewitt Associates)

Trends; Surveys; Research

More Employers Offering Only Consumer-Driven Health Plans
Excerpt: "Plagued by high health care costs, more employers are embracing the concept of replacing all existing medical insurance plans and implementing a full-replacement consumer-driven health care program. But, they are proceeding with caution." (Workforce Management; free registration required)

Fine-Tuning Consumer-Driven Health Plans
Excerpt: "With a few years of experience under their belts, employers and health plans are adjusting their consumer-driven health plan offerings in an attempt to make them more attractive to plan sponsors and employees." (Workforce Management; free registration required)

Brief: Early Experiences with Federal Health Insurance Tax Credits (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "To date, the HCTC program has proven to be a highly complex and expensive program for the federal government to administer, for health insurers and health plans to participate in, and for consumers to understand and use." (Changes in Health Care Financing & Organization)

Finding the Right Retiree Prescription Coverage Solution
Excerpt: "With the launch of Medicare Part D, some employers are committed to continuing coverage - benefiting from the federal subsidy - while others are exploring alternative approaches. Deciphering which option is best can be a daunting task. Employers can make a much more informed decision about the tradeoffs in integrating Part D into their prescription plans once they weigh each of the options based on their organization's goals." (Employee Benefit News; free registration required)

Leave Benefits in the United States - Report Updated July 27, 2007 (PDF)
27 pages. Excerpt: "Currently, there are few federal statutes that pertain directly or indirectly to employer provision of leave benefits for any purpose. This report begins by reviewing those policies, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) programs, which five states have established . . ., are discussed as well [as California's Family Disability Insurance program]." (Congressional Budget Office)

Federal Employees to See Moderate Rise in Health Insurance Premiums
Excerpt: "Health insurance premiums for federal employees and retirees will increase by an average of 2.1 percent next year, the Office of Personnel Management announced . . . ." (The Washington Post; free registration required)

For 25 Years, the RAND Health Insurance Experiment Has Stoked Competing Claims
Excerpt: "Completed in 1982, the RAND Health Insurance Experiment stands out as the only long-term, experimental study of cost sharing and its effects on medical service use, quality of care, and health. It is possible to take two contrasting perspectives on the lessons of the experiment with respect to today's health care debate, in which the notion of cost sharing, or shifting a greater share of health care expense onto consumers, has returned to prominence." (RAND)

Worker Health Care Investment Can Save Expenses in Retirement
Excerpt: "A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) suggests an additional $1 of health expenditure during one's working life can translate into $2.50 of savings during retirement." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)

Primer on Long-Term Care and Long-Term Care Insurance
Excerpt: "In several ways, LTC insurance is similar to the disability income protection many people have during their working years. The coverage can be through an employer plan or individual policy." (Educated Investor via Employee Benefit News; free registration required)

Policy; Opinion; Advocacy

National Federation of Independent Businesses Should Not Support Reimportation Bill, Op-Ed States
Excerpt: "The National Federation of Independent Business -- which recently announced support for the Pharma.ceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act (S 242 and HR 380), legislation that would allow prescription drug reimportation from certain nations -- is 'being sold a false bill of goods,' Peter Pitts, president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, writes in a Washington Examiner opinion piece." (Kaiser Family Foundation)


Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Disclosure - Well-Meaning Byproduct of Years of ERISA Regulation, Litigation and Ongoing Pension Reform Policy
Excerpt: "Retirement plan participants may well scratch their heads when they read the various disclosure notices weighing down the distribution paperwork and summary plan descriptions of their defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans. With new requirements on the horizon, it's time for employers to transform mandated disclosure into truly helpful communication." (Workforce Management; free registration required)

Overview of Changes to California Rules Relating to Equity Compensation Plans
Excerpt: "On July 9, 2007, the California Corporations Commissioner (the 'Commissioner') approved, effective immediately, changes to regulations relating to compensatory benefit plans. These regulations apply to offers and sales of securities to employees, officers, directors, consultants, and certain other advisors in California by privately held companies, public companies not listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange, and foreign private issuers." (Jones Day)

Joint Economic Committee Letter to Fortune 500 Companies with Questionnaire on Leave Policies (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "The JEC is collecting information on the family leave policies of Fortune 100 companies. We are particularly interested in the paid leave policies for mothers and fathers following the birth or adoption of a child." (Joint Economic Committee via HR Policy Association)

Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide for September 11, 2007, on Human Resources & Employment Law (PDF)
14 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: IRS's Limited Relief from Section 409A Deadline (PDF)
7 pages. Excerpt: "The Notice extends the 'good faith' compliance period under section 409A(b) that was provided under prior guidance (Notice 2006-33). That is, until further guidance is issued, companies may continue to rely on a reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 409A(b) to determine whether the use of a trust or other funding arrangement causes a problem." (Groom Law Group)

Practitioners Wrestle with 409A Compliance Issues
Excerpt: "Employers striving to meet the January 2008 deadline for bringing their nonqualified deferred compensation plans into compliance with Code Sec. 409A will need to resolve several issues highlighted by benefits practitioners at an American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA) video webcast held on August 30, 2007." (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business)


Newly Posted Events

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Wisconsin on October 3, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Wisconsin on October 5, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Wisconsin on October 10, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Pennsylvania on October 10, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Massachusetts on October 12, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Wisconsin on October 12, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Oregon on October 17, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in California on October 17, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in California on October 19, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in District of Columbia on October 24, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Washington on October 24, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Ohio on October 24, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Maryland on October 26, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials: Beneficiary Issues and Answers
in Virginia on October 31, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Wisconsin on October 2, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Wisconsin on October 4, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Wisconsin on October 9, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Pennsylvania on October 9, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Wisconsin on October 11, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Massachusetts on October 11, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on October 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Oregon on October 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on October 18, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Ohio on October 23, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in District of Columbia on October 23, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Washington on October 23, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Maryland on October 25, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Virginia on October 30, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Advanced Health Savings Accounts
Nationwide on October 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Basic IRAs
Nationwide on October 4, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Individual(k) Plans
Nationwide on October 9, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Introduction to Health Savings Accounts
Nationwide on October 30, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Excess Contributions
Nationwide on October 2, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part I
Nationwide on October 23, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part II
Nationwide on October 25, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA-to-IRA Transfers and Rollovers
Nationwide on October 18, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Withholding
Nationwide on October 11, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services

401(k) Plans
in Minnesota on October 16, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

401(k) Plans
in Kansas on October 30, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

401(k) Plans
in Colorado on November 6, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

401(k) Plans
in Maryland on November 13, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

401(k) Plans
in Texas on November 27, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

401(k) Plans
in Arizona on December 4, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Minnesota on October 17, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Kansas on October 31, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Colorado on November 7, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Maryland on November 14, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Texas on November 28, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Cafeteria Plans
in Arizona on December 5, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in California on October 12, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Minnesota on October 19, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Kansas on November 2, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Colorado on November 9, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Maryland on November 16, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Texas on November 30, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Arizona on December 7, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

Comprehensive New IRS Regulations on Cafeteria Plans: How Has the Landscape Changed and How Should Plans Adapt?
Nationwide on August 30, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Minnesota on October 18, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Kansas on November 1, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Colorado on November 8, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Maryland on November 15, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Texas on November 29, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Arizona on December 6, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in California on October 12, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Minnesota on October 19, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Kansas on November 2, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Colorado on November 9, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Maryland on November 16, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Texas on November 30, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Arizona on December 7, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Minnesota on October 18, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Kansas on November 1, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Colorado on November 8, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Maryland on November 15, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Texas on November 29, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)

HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Arizona on December 6, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)


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Relationship Manager (IRC38755)
for Huntington National Bank
in WV

Account Executive Retirement Services
for The Principal Financial Group
in CA

New Business Analyst
for Standard Insurance Company
in PA

Director of US Investment Research
for Hewitt Associates
in IL

Defined Benefits Analyst
for Hewitt Associates
in CT

Manager, Retirement Services - Strong Leader & 401(k) Expert!
for Symetra Financial
in WA

International Consulting Associate (Non-actuary)
for Towers Perrin
in NY

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Administrator
for Loren D. Stark Company, Inc.
in TX

Pension Administrator - Account Executive
for Philadelphia TPA Firm
in PA

Sales/Marketing - Pension Consultant
for Polycomp Administrative Services
in CA

Retirement Plan Administrator
for MVP Plan Administrators, Inc.
in NC

Health & Welfare Senior Consultant
for Towers Perrin
in CA, DC, NY

DC Compliance Specialist
for Trinity Pension Consultants
in OH

Health and Benefits Client Service Manager
for Mercer
in MA

Product Development Manager
for Princeton Retirement Group, a Merrill Lynch Co.
in GA




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