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November 30, 2007

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


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(a) New Guidance Documents

(None today.)

(b) News

U.S. Senator Chides Pharmaceutical Company for Bumping $40 Drug with $2,000 Version
Excerpt: "Although it's not stopping the off-label use of [the company's $40 drug, Avastin], Genentech did announce in October a move that some fear will make it harder for physicians to prescribe the medication. . . . Some have asked Genentech to conduct a study comparing the effectiveness of [the company's $2,000 drug, Lucentis] and Avastin in treating [age-related macular degeneration], but the company has no plans to do so." (Contra Costa Times via Physicians for a National Health Plan)

Federal District Court Dismisses Health Coverage Contribution Challenge
Excerpt: "Polyester plant retirees were hit with a legal defeat as a federal judge in Ohio threw out their class action lawsuit alleging their former employer illegally required them to pitch in to pay for their health care benefits." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)

(c) Summaries of Guidance; Filed Comments

Options for Managing the Cost and Risk Associated with Retiree Health Coverage, Including Remarks on the Current Interest in VEBAs (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "Employers that are interested in adopting [the VEBA strategy for the funding of retiree health benefits] should note its limited applicability. . . This [article] presents an overview of strategies for addressing retiree health liabilities, including advantages and disadvantages. It also briefly notes factors employers should consider . . . ." (Sibson Consulting)

(d) Trends, Surveys, Research

UAW-GM Health Model to Be a Test for Retiree Health Benefits, Especially Union Involvement in Healthcare
Excerpt: "The numbers give the UAW bulk buying power and enough clout to bring costs down, according to some experts. Retirees, now on the same team as the entity paying their bills, will have incentives to live healthier and limit their health care use. Some observers also say the move will lead the union to step up its lobbying efforts for a national health-care system." (AP via ChicagoTribune.com)

(e) Policy, Opinion, Advocacy

Towers Perrin Legislative Tracking Charts - Health and Welfare (PDF)
51 pages. Excerpt: "These charts summarize selected federal legislation that would affect employee benefit programs. The bills included on the charts are based on judgments regarding the prominence of the issue, the likelihood of enactment, and the influence of the sponsors." (Towers Perrin)


Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

November 2007 Employee Benefits Update from Reinhart Boerner (PDF)
9 pages. Nice overview for retirement and health plans, including selected compliance deadlines and a discussion of IRS guidance on yield curve and segment rates for calculating pension plan funding and lump sum interest rate. (Reinhart Boerner)

Towers Perrin Legislative Tracking Charts - Human Resources (PDF)
12 pages. Excerpt: "These charts summarize selected federal legislation that would affect employer benefit programs. The bills included on the charts are based on judgments regarding the prominence of the issue, the likelihood of enactment, and the influence of the sponsors." (Towers Perrin)


Newly Posted Events

Deferred & Executive Compensation Conference
in District of Columbia on December 5, 2007
presented by U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness and the ERISA Industry Committee

Update on Disability Discrimination with Craig J. Davidson, CEBS
Nationwide on January 15, 2008
presented by Davidson Marketing Group -- FutureOffice Network


Newly Posted Press Releases

Most PBGC Retirees Receive Full Earned Benefit, Study Shows
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Labor Department Court Order Bars West Virginia Investment Advisor From Providing Service To Employee Benefit Plans
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Survey Finds Many Employers Are Using Automatic Features in Defined Contribution Plans
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

ftwilliam.com announces the release of its 2007 Form 5500 software
ftwilliam.com

Research Confirms Correlation Between PBM Transparency and Employer Satisfaction
Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI)

Jason Jaworoski
Lambert & Carney Benefits Group, LLC

401k Coach ~ Announces Master's Program in 2008
401k Coach Program

Veterinary Pet Insurance Poll Reveals Insured Pets Visiting the Doctor More Than People
Veterinary Pet Insurance

Partnership for Workplace Mental Health Launches Database of Employer Innovations
American Psychiatric Foundation


We're one of the top 350 employment sites on the web!Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
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Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, Defined Contribution/Daily Valuation (DC/DV)
for BenefitStreet
in NY

Pension Administrator
for Howard A. Feinstein Associates, Inc.
in IL

Director-Project Management
for MassMutual Financial Group
in MA

Retirement Services Facilitator
for National Life Group
in VT

Account Executive - Retirement Services
for The Principal Financial Group
in OH

Defined Benefit Plan Administrator
for Howard Simon & Associates
in IL

Director, Project Manager
for MassMutual Financial Group
in CT

Staff Assistant
for Benefit Services of Hawaii
in HI

Account Manager, Employee Benefits
for ABD Insurance and Financial Services
in CA

Producer, Special Accounts
for ABD Insurance and Financial Services
in CA

Consulting/Marketing Manager
for Associated Pension Consultants
in CA

Supervisor, Investment Processing
for Princeton Retirement Group, a Merrill Lynch Co.
in NC

Knowledge Management Editor
for Administaff
in TX




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