Podcast: Study Shows Integrative Medicine as Successful Stress Reducer
"Aetna's Kyra Bobinet shares the results of two recent employee stress-reduction programs using therapeutic yoga and meditation and why the carrier is continuing to invest in the benefits of a mind-body approach to stress management." (Employee Benefit Adviser; one-time free registration required)

DATAIR Cafeteria Plan Software (advert.)

PC-based systems for proposals, plan documents and administration of Flex Plans: FSA, DCAP, HRA, HSA and 132(f). DATAIR’s systems with the "Benny" Benefits Debit Card for automated processing and Internet inquiry makes this a profitable TPA service.

On Party-Line Vote, Health Reform Repeal Fails In the Senate
"Senate Republicans failed to muster enough votes to repeal the health law. But a vote to delete a small, revenue-raising provision of the sweeping law did pass, in a bipartisan vote." (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)

Private Health Insurance Premiums and Rate Reviews (PDF)
"This report provides an overview of the concepts, regulation, and available public data regarding private health insurance premiums." (U.S. Congressional Research Service)

Senate Axes Expanded 1099 Reporting
"The U.S. Senate failed fully to repeal PPACA . . . but succeeded in repealing Section 9006 of PPACA which, starting in 2012, would have expanded Form 1099 reporting to include payments of $600 or more to corporations providing services or goods." (E Is for ERISA)

Moving Work Forward: A Partnership to Promote Flexible Work Arrangements
"By highlighting strategies that enable people to do their best work -- while building on FWI's When Work Works initiative, and expanding upon SHRM's We Know Next campaign -- the partnership will promote flexible work arrangements that fit the 21st century workforce and create a new competitive advantage." (Society for Human Resource Management and Families and Work Institute)

The Most Complete, Current, Easy-to-Use HSA Resource Available! (advert.)

Health Savings Account Answer Book answers every HSA question... clarifies every HSA issue... in a format that's quick and easy to use. It tells you virtually everything you have to know to profit from HSAs.

[Official Guidance]
Text of ITS Notice 2011-8: Determination of Housing Cost Amounts Eligible for Exclusion or Deduction for 2011 (PDF)
"This notice provides adjustments to the limitation on housing expenses for purposes of section 911 of the [IRC] for specific locations for 2011. These adjustments are made on the basis of geographic differences in housing costs relative to housing costs in the United States." (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)

[Guidance Overview]
SEC's Final Rules Regarding Say-on-Pay and Golden Parachute Requirements Under Dodd-Frank
"The Say-on-Pay and Say-on-Frequency requirements will apply with respect to annual shareholder meetings, or other shareholder action, at which directors are elected on or after January 21, 2011." (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP)

[Guidance Overview]
SEC's Final 'Say-on-Pay' Rules: Basic Rules Effective January 21, 2011 (PDF)
"Small companies (those with a public float of less than $75 mil.lion) are not subject to Dodd-Frank and the Final Rules until the first annual (or other) meeting occurring after January 21, 2013." (Vedder Price P.C.)

[Guidance Overview]
ERISA Did Not Preempt a Court's Evaluation of State Law Damages
"This case deserves mention for the novel argument made by the employee in his lawsuit for damages." (Vicki Johnson of Davis Graham & Stubbs)

Snapshot of State and Local Government Employee Benefits (PDF)
"This issue of Program Perspectives reviews occupational distribution between State and local government sectors and examines data on benefit availability and participation in each sector." (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Civil Unions Legalized in Illinois: Implications for Employee Benefit Plans
"Employers should take action now to prepare for requests for benefit coverage from employees planning to enter to a civil union with a same-s.ex or opposite-se.x partner once the law takes effect on June 1, 2011." (McDermott Will & Emery)

Protecting the ERISA Whistleblower: The Reach of Section 510 of ERISA
"This Note analyzes the reach of the whistleblower protections contained in ERISA section 510, 29 U.S.C. 1140, and considers whether section 510 applies to internal complaints made to an employer." (Social Science Research Network)

National Institute of Pension Administrators Partners with Heffernan to Offer Exclusive E&O Program
(National Institute of Pension Administrators)

PBGC, AIG Agree on Pension Protection in Fortress Sale
(Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC))

The SPARK Institute Seeks Changes To EBSA Fiduciary Definition; Proposes Safe Harbor
(SPARK Institute)

Moving Work Forward: Society for Human Resource Management, and Families and Work Institute Launch Workplace Flexibility Partnership
(Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM))

Segal Advisors Announces New Asset/Liability Modeling Practice Leader
(Segal Advisors)

Number of Americans Reporting No Personal or Retirement Savings Rises
(Harris Interactive)

National State and Local Government Organizations Get the Facts Out on Public Pension Plans
(Center for State and Local Government Excellence)

Economic Policy Institute Publishes State of Working America
(Economic Policy Institute (EPI))

Securian Retirement Adds Web-Based Tools for Advisors
(Securian Financial Group)

Evive Health Helps Boost Wellness Engagement for State of Nebraska
(Evive Health)

World Congress

EBSA Investigations
in California on February 15, 2011 presented by Western Pension & Benefits Conference, San Diego Chapter