Insurers Alter Their Sales Commission Structure, Partly to Help Meet Medical Loss Ratio Rules – Excerpt: "[A securities analyst] said in a Dec. 4 research note that the 'word on the broker street' is that CIGNA Corp. will make several changes in individual-market commissions, including calculating commissions on the base premium rather than the full premium, which might be much higher based on the member's health status. This also would lower the commissions reported in CIGNA revenue and therefore raise its MLRs." (AIS Health.com)

Nat'l Health Benefits Conf & Expo (HBCE) Jan.31-Feb.1, Clearwater Bch, FL (advert.)

Speakers Wrote the Books on: Health Benefits Mgmt., Onsite Clinics and Obesity Control. As well: Walmart, Intel, Time Warner, State of MO, School Districts, Counties, Universities. Low cost – high quality. www.HBCE.com Ph: 941-484-1430 info@HBCE.com

Study Says Paid Family Leave Good for Workers and Bosses – Excerpt: "An overwhelming majority of California's employers, questioned about 2009 and 2010, say the state's Paid Family Leave program has had little or no noticeable effect on their operations, a study released Tuesday found. Many said the law, which was adopted in 2004, helped not only the workers' lives but the company's bottom line." (Enterprise Media)

[Opinion]
A New 'Definition' for Health Care Reform – Excerpt: "The defined contribution approach to reforming the tax treatment of health insurance would focus on restoring a more level playing field for all purchasers. The current tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance manages to be inequitable, inefficient and increasingly ineffective - all at the same time! And, the new health law's 'Cadillac tax' on high-cost employer plans would send confusing incentive signals - if it's ever implemented almost a decade after enactment." (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)

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EBSA Publishes Regulatory Agenda – Excerpt: "Listed [here] are the items in the most recent agenda, arranged by their completion status." (Wolters Kluwer)

IRS Semiannual Regulatory Agenda Includes Additional Guidance on Funding Rules – Excerpt: "The IRS has released its semiannual regulatory agenda for Fall 2010, which includes pension and benefit regulations that are currently under development or review." (Wolters Kluwer)

Coalition of Federal Employee Organizations' Letter Opposing Cuts in Benefits Carries Risk – Excerpt: "[A coalition] has asked President Obama to reject proposals to cut health and retirement benefits, reduce the federal workforce by 10 percent and freeze pay for three years. The recommendations were made in December by the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform." (The Washington Post; one-time registration required)

US Labor Department Obtains Court-Appointed Independent Fiduciary For 401(k) Plan Of Defunct Canton, Mass., Company U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

ERIC Urges Treasury to Develop Workable Set of Rules in Implementing Hybrid Retirement Plan Regulations ERIC (ERISA Industry Committee)

ASPPA Issues Comments to DOL on Target Date Funds American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA)

Financial Research Corporation Adds Retirement Income Practice Leader Financial Research Corporation

Aon Hewitt Analysis Shows Modest Gains in Global Pension Funding Levels in 2010 Aon Corporation

Vince Giovinazzo to Open 401(k) Rekon Elite Advisor Series (EAS) 401k Rekon

Constangy, Brooks & Smith Expands Employee Benefits Practice With New Partner in its Fairfax Office Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

SmartMoney Recommends Retiree Inc.'s Advice in Making Savings Last Longer Retiree Inc.

Financial Planners Are Key to Retirement Success, Regardless of Age FinancialPlanners.net

DATAIR Employee Benefit Systems, Inc.

Sales Manager-Baden Retirement Services
for Ascensus in ANY STATE, IL, IN, OH

Who Is a Tax Dependent Now? Compliance for Employer Plans After Health Care Reform
in California on January 13, 2011 EBIA / Thomson Reuters