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| July 31, 2008 |
| Here are the Web's best new links about compliance and cost aspects of plan operation, design and policy. |
Today's sponsor is Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| A Giant Leap Forward for Employee Benefits |
| Checkpoint delivers an unparalleled combination of cutting-edge technology, seamless integration and flexibility designed to help you find all of the answers you seek quickly and efficiently.
Together, EBIA and Checkpoint offer a giant leap forward for all who plan, administer or advise on employee benefits issues.
Call 1.800.950.1216 or visit http://ria.thomson.com/leap/ to register for your FREE 30-day trial. |
[Official Guidance] Text of Corrections to Final IRS Regs: Dependent Child of Divorced or Separated Parents or Parents Who Live Apart (PDF)
1 page. Changes 'taxable year' to read 'calendar year' in two provisions. (Internal Revenue Service)
[Guidance Overview] Benefit Claims Procedures Should Be Reviewed to Address Potential Conflict of Interest Issues Raised in Supreme Court Glenn Decision
Excerpt: "If an employer has any benefit plans where the persons responsible for deciding claims for benefits are also responsible for paying for those benefits, consideration should be given to revising those plans to eliminate those potential conflicts of interest. Steps that employers can take now to address these potential conflicts of interest include the following . . . ." (Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC)
[Guidance Overview] Guidance on 2006 HSA Changes, General HSA Issues and Excise Tax Returns (PDF)
7 pages. Excerpt: "The proposed regulations on comparability are of interest mainly to those who do not provide employees the opportunity to make HSA contributions through a cafeteria plan, but they also provide information on filing excise tax returns." (Buck Consultants)
Minnesota Gov. Discusses Plan to Improve Consumers' Access to Health Information
Excerpt: "Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Tuesday unveiled a plan to allow all Minnesotans to access their personal health records and compare prescription and procedure costs online, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports . . . ." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Massachusetts House Approves Bill to Raise $89M from Insurers, Health Care Providers
Excerpt: "The Massachusetts House on Tuesday voted 135-21 to approve a bill that would require insurance companies and health care providers in the state to contribute more money to close a funding gap in the state's health insurance law, the AP/Boston Globe reports." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Cutting Jobs to Part Time Employment
Excerpt: "More part-time and fewer full-time workers also allows companies to save on health care costs. Only 16 percent of retail workers receive health insurance through their employer, while more than half of full-time workers are covered, according to an analysis by Ms. Lambert, the University of Chicago employment expert." (The New York Times; free registration required)
The Obama and McCain Health Care Platforms: A Guide for Employers (PDF)
6 pages. Excerpt: "In published statements and spoken comments, John McCain and Barack Obama have offered voters visions of health care reform. This InsightOut provides a broad overview of their platforms and focuses on three particular aspects that would have profound impact on employers: portability, mandates, and consumer-directed health." (Buck Consultants)
Legislation Would Require Greater Transparency in Physician Self-Referrals for Imaging Procedures
Excerpt: "Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recently introduced legislation (S 3343) that would require physicians to disclose their financial ties to imaging services ordered under Medicare when making self-referrals, CQ HealthBeat reports." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Whirlpool Sues Union to Modify Retiree Medical Benefits
Excerpt: "Whirlpool Corporation has filed a lawsuit in federal district court seeking judgment that its modification of retiree medical benefits will not violate collective bargaining agreements with unions or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Sponsored by: ALM
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| Complete Benefits Law Guidance from Law Journal Press |
| The nation's workforce and health care system are constantly evolving and so are the legal issues. Law Journal Press helps you handle any benefits law question with up-to-date, authoritative books on all aspects of the field. Get legal and practical advice from leading experts on everything from COBRA to ERISA, "contingent" employees to family and medical leave, and more. Browse our product listings for detailed information and special offers. |
| (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] IRS Proposed Increased Disclosure Requirements for Stock Option Transfers
Excerpt: "Employers would be required, under proposed regulations, to provide greater information to the IRS and employees when a transfer of stock is made in connection with the exercise of an option through an employee stock purchase plan or through an incentive stock option program." (Wolters Kluwer)
Rockefeller Foundation's $70 Million Effort Seeks New Safety Net for Workers
Excerpt: "Out of such concern, the foundation has created the Campaign for American Workers, which has made 15 grants aimed primarily at restoring health and retirement security. Those grants, for instance, have gone to groups to develop affordable health coverage for workers under 35 and to increase retirement savings among African-Americans." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Companies Consider Impact of Upcoming Employee Retirements
Excerpt: "Employers facing an unprecedented talent shortage, with 25% of the workforce nearing retirement age, are considering the impact upcoming retirements on their organization. According to a Hewitt Associates news release, its survey of more than 140 mid-size and large employers revealed more than half (55%) have already evaluated the impact potential retirements could have, and 61% say they have developed or will develop special programs to retain targeted, near-retirement employees." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
'Benefits Quarterly,' 3rd Quarter 2008, Executive Summaries of Articles
Articles are titled: The Supreme Court Gives a 'Green Light' to Individual 401(k) Lawsuits; FMLA Expanded for Leaves Related to Family Members Serving in the Military; Nationwide Savings Plan Automatic Enrollment Getting Associates PREPared for Retirement; Work Options for Older Americans: Employee Benefits for the Era of Living Longer; Alternatives to Cash in Ensuring the Solvency of Defined Benefit Pension Funds; Lessons From Pension Reform in the Americas; and, The Future of Retirement: An Exploration and Comparison of Different Scenarios. (International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists)
Newly Posted Events
401(k) Plans
in California on November 18, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
401(k) Plans
in Texas on December 2, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
Cafeteria Plans
in California on November 19, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
Cafeteria Plans
in Texas on December 3, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in California on November 21, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
COBRA Compliance for Group Health Plans
in Texas on December 5, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
COBRA Notification Rules: What Is Required and When
Nationwide on August 20, 2008
presented by Thompson Publishing Group
ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in California on November 20, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans
in Texas on December 4, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in California on November 21, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
HIPAA Portability, Privacy & Security
in Texas on December 5, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in California on November 20, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
HSAs, HRAs, and Consumer-Driven Health Care
in Texas on December 4, 2008
presented by EBIA / Thomson Reuters
The 401k Service Training Program
in Pennsylvania on November 10, 2008
presented by Financial Service Standards, LLC
Newly Posted Press Releases
Financial Interactions Introduces 401k Education Program for Women
Financial Interactions LLC
Securities Fraud Attorney Mark Tepper Warns That Baby Boomers' Nest Eggs May Be the New Targets of Aggressive Financial Advisers
Mark Tepper PA
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
(Post a Job | View All Jobs |
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Advanced Accounting Analyst - Benefits and Compensation
for Marathon Oil Company
in TX
401(k) / Defined Contribution Administrator
for Retirement Plan Consultants, Inc.
in TN
Retirement Plan Specialist
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in FL
External Participant Relationship Consultant
for Gallagher Retirement Services
in MO
401(k) Plan Consultant
for B & B Benefits Administration, Inc.
in CA
401(k) Retirement Administrator/ Consultant
for Applied Plan Administrators LLC
in MI, TN
Benefits Producer
for Wine Sergi & Co, LLC
in IL
Non Qualified / Financial and Estate Planning Sales Consultant
for Gallagher Retirement Services
in CA, CO
Handy Links:
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- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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