[Guidance Overview]
Differences in Federal and State Tax Rules for Dependent Child Coverage Raise Issues for Group Health Plans – "To the extent that plans cover dependents who are not able to receive tax-free coverage under state law, plan sponsors should consult with their tax advisors to determine whether income needs to be imputed and the required process and forms for doing so." (The Segal Group, Inc.)

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

Our speakers literally wrote the books on health benefits management, on-site clinics and obesity control. Hear speakers from Walmart, Intel, Time Warner and governmental employers. Low cost, high quality! info@HBCE.com Ph: 941-484-1430

[Guidance Overview]
No W-2 Guidance on Calculating Cost of Health Coverage, but Reporting Optional for 2011 – "[E]mployers may optionally report the amount in Box 12, using code DD." (Towers Watson)

U.S. Senator's Health Care Reform Repeal Measure Has 34 Other Republicans Signed on As Co-Sponsors – "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has said he will not bring a repeal bill to the Senate floor, despite it having been approved by the other chamber . . . ." (PLANSPONSOR.COM)

Budget Committee Hearing: The Fiscal Consequences of the New Health Care Law – "[From the opening statement of Chairman Paul Ryan:] Why is this the Budget Committee's first hearing and why is it focused on health care? Let's put it very simply: Our fiscal problem is a health care problem. Health care spending is driving the explosive growth in our spending and our debt." (U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget)

Issues to Consider in Providing a Tax Gross-Up for Employees Covering Same-S.ex Spouses and Partners under the Employer's Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans (PDF) – "Employers generally have great latitude to structure and implement benefit policies for same-s.ex spouses and partners in any manner they choose, though the benefits they do offer are governed by a series of federal laws and regulations." (Bloomberg Finance L.P. via McDermott Will & Emery)

The Future of Health Insurance: Demise of Employer-Sponsored Coverage Greatly Exaggerated (PDF) – "Our analyses indicate that employers, though concerned about rising premiums, are unlikely to abandon employer-based health plans and force workers to find coverage on exchanges." (Booz & Company)

Outsource benefits tasks by selecting a vendor from our online directory (advert.)

Advertise your service or product in our online Vendor Directory -- a basic listing is FREE! Click to add a basic listing. Or purchase a premium listing to display your logo and a generous text description.

[Guidance Overview]
Final 'Say on Pay' Rules Published – "What are the differences between the Dodd-Frank final rules and the proposed rules and what stays the same?" (John Lowell)

[Guidance Overview]
2010 Earned Income Computation Change – "The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 made a subtle change to the computation of net earnings from self-employment, which has caused some practitioners to question how this will affect the determination of compensation for the self-employed." (SunGard Relius)

Successor Liability Under ERISA (PDF) – "One of the murky but interesting aspects of ERISA law . . . has been the extent to which liability under ERISA will carry over to successors who purchase the assets rather than the stock of the business. This article explores the current state of the law . . . . [Published in Tax Mgmt. Comp. Plan. J. (1/7/2011) and updated January 26, 2011/]" (Charles C. Shulman, Esq.)

Leased Employees and Employee Classification (PDF) – "The main test for employee status is whether the company has the right to control manner and means by which work is accomplished, although other factors also play a role. [As published in Journal of Pension Planning & Compliance (Winter 2010) with minor additions.]" (Charles C. Shulman, Esq.)

Unusual Perks in the Workplace: How Some Best Companies Are Going Way Beyond the Paycheck to Reward Their Employees – "[For example: not only do employees of the natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy] have access to a 72,000 square-foot fitness center and parent/child yoga classes, the company accommodates their cosmetic health needs as well." (Cable News Network)

[Opinion]
SEC's Final Rules on Shareholder Say on Pay – "The Rules technically are not effective until 60 days after publication in the Federal Register (March 26, 2010). However, we expect that most companies that have not already printed their proxy statements will seek to comply." (Michael S. Melbinger via Winston & Strawn LLP)

PSCA Launches Online ERISA Fiduciary Training Program Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America (PSCA)

Frank Tighe Joins The Newport Group as Regional Director Newport Group, The

MassMutual Teams Up with Gen Y Money Coach Farnoosh Torabi to Help Motivate Younger Retirement Plan Participants to Save MassMutual Retirement Services

PLANSPONSOR Announces 2011 Finalists for Pension and Retirement Plan Sponsors of the Year PLANSPONSOR

Report Finds Lower Insurance Premiums, More Choices in 2014 for Families, Businesses under Affordable Care Act U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Lincoln Financial Group Offers 2011 Product Trends Perspective for Insurance and Retirement Industry Lincoln Financial Group

Chartis Expands Umbrella Liability Solutions with Salary Reimbursement Coverage Enhancement Chartis

Holzer Holzer & Fistel, LLC Announces Investigation into Potential Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by Wilmington Trust Company Holzer Holzer & Fistel, LLC

World Congress

Marketing Associate
for ExpertPlan, Inc. in NJ

Relationship Manager - Taft Hartley – Midwest/West Region
for MassMutual Financial Group in ANY STATE

Client Manager, Vanguard High Net Worth
for Vanguard in AZ, NC

Mgr Plan Services
for The Standard in OR

Sr. 401(k) Plan Consultant
for Houston-based Employee Benefits Company in TX

Plan Administrator for Retirement Plan & ERISA Specialists
for Dana Consulting Group, Ltd. in IL

2011 First Quarter Update
Nationwide on February 8, 2011 McKay Hochman Co., Inc.

Controlled Groups
Nationwide on March 17, 2011 McKay Hochman Co., Inc.

Free 2/7 RPTE Employee Benefits & Other Compensation Arrangements Study Group Teleconference Call On Evolving Health Care Reform Plan Guidance
Nationwide on February 7, 2011 Solutions Law Press, Inc.