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| November 20, 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.)
| Health and Welfare Roundup 2008 |
| The recent onslaught of new benefits law changes—mental health parity rules, required coverage for college students, final regulations on coverage for newborns and mothers, and more—means that 2008 is packing a bigger-than-expected compliance bang. Let EBIA help you sort out what the developments really mean for health and welfare plans. For more information and to register, please visit EBIA's Web Seminars. |
[Guidance Overview] Reversing ERISA Subrogation Default Rules By The Stroke Of A Pen
Excerpt: "In this recent case, the Sixth Circuit views on necessary plan language are set forth, and the rules applied by the district court should be scrupulously followed by plan administrators and third party administrators in the Sixth Circuit. The case presents the typical health plan reimbursement dispute wherein the plan participant, injured in a car accident, obtains a personal injury settlement and then refuses to reimburse the health plan for related expenditures." (Health Plan Law Blog by attorney Roy F. Harmon III)
The Fraying Link Between Work and Health Insurance Trends in Employer-Sponsored Insurance for Employees, 2000-2007
Excerpt: "Most nonelderly Americans still obtain health insurance coverage through an employer. Nevertheless, the percentage of nonelderly people with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage has declined steadily since 2000." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Retirees Watching Anxiously; Will GM Be Saved?
Excerpt: "Detroit automakers have hundreds of thousands of retirees who are wondering what might happen if their former employers go bankrupt? Auto executives say without $25 billion in loans, they could be forced into bankrup.tcy." (National Public Radio)
Health Insurance Industry OKs Acceptance of All Applicants If Insurance Made Mandatory for All
Excerpt: "In separate actions, the two trade groups, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, announced their support for guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions, in conjunction with an enforceable mandate for individual coverage." (New York Times; free registration required)
Deductibles March Higher for Employer-Provided Health Insurance
Excerpt: "The average U.S. worker faced out-of-pocket expenses of more than $1,000 this year, an annual study finds." (Los Angeles Times)
GAO Testimony on State and Local Fiscal Challenges: Rising Health Care Costs Drive Long-Term and Immediate Pressures
16 pages; highlights page is at . Excerpt: "States and localities are facing increased demand for services during a period of declining revenues and reduced access to capital. In the midst of these challenges, the federal government continues to rely on this sector for delivery of services such as Medicaid . . . . Incorporation of August 2008 data shows that the position of the sector has worsened since our January 2008 report." (U.S. Government Accountability Office)
Sen. Kennedy Taps Senators To Lead Various Working Groups Aimed at Improving U.S. Health Care
Excerpt: "Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) on Tuesday named committee members to lead three working groups that will target specific aspects of the health care system in writing overhaul legislation, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton . . . ." (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report)
Automaker Bankruptcies Would Require Taxpayers To Pay $3 Billion Annually for Health Care
Excerpt: "[UAW President Ron] Gettelfinger also rejected new concessions by UAW on wages or retiree benefits as some lawmakers have demanded as a condition of emergency assistance for the auto industry." (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report)
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] New Minnesota Tax on Deferred Compensation Paid to Former Residents (PDF)
6 pages. Excerpt: "Though the new Minnesota tax targets deferred compensation, it does not impact 'retirement income' paid to nonresidents. Retirement income generally includes: . . . The three categories of remaining sources of deferred income that are affected by the new Minnesota tax are: severance pay; equity based awards; and other non-statutory deferred compensation." (Kelly, Hannaford & Battles P.A.)
Unions, As Shareholders, Use Bailout to Push Executive Compensation Reforms
Excerpt: "The Laborers' International Union of North America and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are filing new proposals that seek compensation reforms at companies that participate in the U.S. Treasury Department's bailout program." (Risk & Governance Blog)
Can Public Employers Afford Promised Health and Retirement Benefits?
Excerpt: "Given the imminent revenue losses plaguing states, cities, counties and school districts, many of these employers are simply unprepared to start properly funding these benefits. . . . [T]he GASB Statement 45 rules permit employers to amortize their unfunded liabilities over 30 years, when the actual service lives of incumbent employees is less. And for retirees, it's even worse, as the expected lives of 65-year-old retirees is about 18 years, not 30." (Governing.com)
Employee Benefits Coming Under the Knife at More Employers
Excerpt: "For every employee who makes $75,000, a company typically spends $30,000 more in benefits. So for employees who still have jobs after cost-cutting layoffs, the potential for more pain lies ahead." (TIME)
Newly Posted Events
2008 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials
in Texas on December 3, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials
in California on December 3, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials
in Texas on December 5, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: Beyond the Essentials
in California on December 5, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on December 2, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Texas on December 2, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in Texas on December 4, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Fall Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on December 4, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Web/Telephone Seminar: 72(t) Payments
Nationwide on December 11, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Web/Telephone Seminar: Direct Rollover and Other Portability Issues
Nationwide on December 9, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Reporting
Nationwide on November 25, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Required Minimum Distributions
Nationwide on December 4, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2008 Web/Telephone Seminar: Roth 401(k)/403(b) Provisions
Nationwide on December 2, 2008
presented by Ascensus
2009 National Health Policy Conference
in District of Columbia on February 2, 2009
presented by AcademyHealth
403(b) plan documents on ftwilliam.com
Nationwide on November 25, 2008
presented by ftwilliam.com
Newly Posted Press Releases
Consumer-Driven Health Plans Continue to Gain Momentum, as More Employers and Employees Embrace the Concept, Says Aon Consulting
Aon Consulting
Health Plans Propose Guaranteed Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions and Individual Coverage Mandate
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
CPI Common Remitter Services Introduces CRS PDQ
CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc.
Twenty-Three Percent of Workers Do Not Pay Attention to Benefits Changes at Their Company, Finds CareerBuilder.com
CareerBuilder.com
New National PSAs Urge Americans Age 25 - 34 to 'Feed the Pig'
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Study Finds Cost of Diabetes in the United States Exceeds $217 Billion
Novo Nordisk
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
(Post a Job | View All Jobs |
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Pension Administrator
for The Senex Group
in CA
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Administrator
for The ANGELL Pension Group, Inc.
in ANY STATE
System Analyst - Sungard OMNI experience
for Milliman, Inc. in either Albany, NY or West Paterson, NJ locations
in NJ, NY
401(k)/DC Administrator
for Pencor, Inc.
in FL
Defined Contribution Plan Administrator
for Al Minor & Associates, Inc.
in OH
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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