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| May 8, 2008 |
| Here are the Web's best new links about compliance and cost aspects of plan operation, design and policy. |
Today's sponsor is University Conference Services
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| Walking the Benefits Management Tightrope |
| Do you sometimes feel like a high wire acrobat performing without a net? That's how it can seem as you try to span the chasm between managing an attractive benefits program and reigning in costs. The Health and Welfare Plan Management for Mid-Sized Employers, June 8-11, 2008, in Chicago, guides you through today’s complex benefit issues and offers solutions to help you master your technique. |
[Guidance Overview] Genetic Nondiscrimination Bill Expected to Be Signed Into Law (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "Specifically, GINA prohibits employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and joint labor-management committees from discriminating based on genetic information in [specific] circumstances . . . ." (Thompson Hine LLP)
2008 U.S. Organ and Tissue Transplant Cost Estimates and Discussion (PDF)
20 pages. (Milliman)
Paid Maternity Leave Still on Wishlist for Many U.S. Mothers
Excerpt: "In a selection of 19 countries with comparable per capita income, the United States provides the fewest maternity leave benefits in both length of leave and paid time off . . . . This is considered separate from any disability insurance for which one may qualify. In fact, the United States falls two weeks short of the International Labor Organization's basic minimum standard of at least 14 weeks general leave. It is also the only country not to guarantee some amount of leave with income." (Economic Policy Institute)
Employee Contributions for Health Care Are Nearly One-Month's Salary
Excerpt: "Employees' median annual contribution for family health care coverage is now $3,120, a 15% increase from 2007 and a 22% increase from 2006, according to Aon Consulting's 2008 Benefits and Talent Survey. This annual contribution represents nearly one-month's salary, based on the median household annual income of approximately $48,000, Aon noted." (Wolters Kluwer)
Public Employers Barred from Providing Health Care Benefits to Partners of G.ay and Les.bian Employees
Excerpt: "The [Michigan Supreme Court] 5-2 ruling found that an amendment to the Michigan Constitution approved by voters in 2004 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman also applied to employee benefits. Specifically, the court found that language in the amendment prohibiting recognition of other unions 'for any purpose' effectively bans same-sex partner benefits." (Detroit Free Press)
Incentives to Switch from Prescription to Over-the-Counter Drugs Can Produce Large Savings
Excerpt: "A program that incentivized patients to switch from prescription drugs to over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives saved members thousands of dollars and provided the insurer with a solid return on investment (ROI), according to the PBM and health plan responsible for the initiative." (AISHealth.com)
Lack of Health Care Weighs Heavily on Decision to Retire
Excerpt: "Older workers without other health care insurance options are more likely to defer retirement to stay covered under their employer's plan, Watson Wyatt Worldwide found in a data analysis." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
U.S. Manufacturers Spend Twice as Much as Foreign Competitors on Health Care, Report Finds
Excerpt: "U.S. manufacturers that offer health insurance to employees spend an average of $2.38 per worker per hour on health care, substantially more than the amount spent by foreign competitors, according to a report released on Tuesday by the New America Foundation, the Los Angeles Times reports." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Senate Finance Committee Holds First in Series of Congressional Hearings on U.S. Health System Overhaul
Excerpt: "The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday hold the first of at least eight congressional hearings focusing on strategies to reform the U.S. health care system, featuring testimony by former HHS secretaries Tommy Thompson and Donna Shalala, CQ HealthBeat reports." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Public Health Service Issues Clinical Guideline for Smoking Cessation (PDF)
276 pages. Excerpt: "The U.S. Public Health Service today issued an updated clinical practice guideline to help health care providers reduce patients' use of tobacco. The guideline recommends clinicians and health care delivery systems consistently identify tobacco users seen in the health care setting, and offer every patient who uses tobacco some of the treatments recommended in the guideline. It also recommends insurers cover the counseling and medications identified as effective." (U.S. Public Health Service)
Sponsored by: WorldatWork
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| WorldatWork publications in the BenefitsLink Bookstore |
| WorldatWork, a not-for-profit professional association, is a leading publisher of compensation, benefits and total rewards information. With a portfolio of books, reports, survey briefs, booklets and online learning programs, WorldatWork creates, markets and distributes publications that are critical to improved organizational performance. WorldatWork has contributed to the education and development of business professionals worldwide since 1955. |
| (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
[Guidance Overview] Newly Minted Rules for Deducting Performance Compensation under Section 162(m) (PDF)
1 page. Excerpt: "The new ruling will not apply for performance periods beginning on or before January 1, 2009 or for compensation paid pursuant to employment contracts in effect on February 21, 2008 (excluding renewals, either automatic or by agreement)." (Hanson Bridgett LLP)
Several States Plan Cutbacks and Early Retirement Plans
Excerpt: "In Rhode Island, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, a Republican, signed a spending plan last week that includes a provision to make state employees who retire after Sept. 1 pay more for their health insurance, a change that state officials say could prompt about 2,500 state workers to leave before the deadline." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Vallejo, California, Votes to Declare Chapter 9 Bankrup.tcy
Excerpt: "The city and its public safety unions have been at the bargaining table for about two years. The city is asking for its police and firefighters to take salary, benefit and staff cuts, while the unions say any further cuts would endanger public safety as well as the safety of the police and firefighters. Vallejo spends 74 percent of its $80 million general fund budget on public safety salaries, significantly higher than the state average." (San Francisco Chronicle)
Newly Posted Events
401(K) Automatic Enrollment- Is It Right For Your Organization?
Nationwide on May 15, 2008
presented by Alexander Hamilton Institute
401(k) Plan Workshop
in New York on May 22, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
Nationwide on May 22, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in North Carolina on May 22, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Iowa on May 22, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Wisconsin on May 22, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Illinois on May 30, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
401(k) Plan Workshop
in Ohio on May 30, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in New York on May 21, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
Nationwide on May 21, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in North Carolina on May 21, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Iowa on May 21, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Wisconsin on May 21, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Illinois on May 29, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Form 5500 Workshop
in Ohio on May 29, 2008
presented by SunGard Relius
Health and Welfare Plan Record Retention and Document Disclosures
Nationwide on June 18, 2008
presented by Lorman Education Services
It's Time to Take Another Look at HIPAA Security Webcast
Nationwide on May 22, 2008
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
QDIA: What a Plan Sponsor Really Needs to Know Webcast
Nationwide on May 15, 2008
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Return on Investment for Wellness Programs
Nationwide on June 4, 2008
presented by Lorman Education Services
Newly Posted Press Releases
NIPA Honors Outstanding Volunteers at 2008 Annual Forum & Expo
National Institute of Pension Administrators
Xenia, Ohio, Woman Indicted for Theft from Quality Caulking Inc. Retirement Plan
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Miller & Chevalier Adds Anne Batter and Thomas Cryan, Jr. to Nationally Recognized Employee Benefits Practice
Miller & Chevalier
Major Initiative to Ease Health Care Workforce Crisis Receives Overwhelming Support
American Society of Association Executives
Employers May Now Be At Risk of Being Sued Over 401(k) Costs
Wealthcare Capital Management
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
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Document Specialist
for Benefit Administration, Inc
in WI
Premium Billing Supervisor
for The Boon Group
in TX
Executive Assistant
for SageView Advisory Group
in CA
Client Consultant - Compliance / Technical - Fort Wayne, IN
for Lincoln Financial Group
in IN
Compliance Manager
for Vanguard
in AZ
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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