Employee Benefits Update
Showing 273–288 of 395 results
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Court decision may affect health plan reimbursement provisions
June / July 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 567
Abstract: Historically, plan sponsors and administrators have come to rely on an ERISA provision for full reimbursement of medical expenses paid to participants if the plan document contains specific language to this effect and injured participants recover money from third parties. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently refused to enforce such a provision. In making this decision, the court significantly departed from existing case law. This article summarizes the case and how it may affect plan reimbursement provisions. Citation: US Airways, Inc. v. McCutchen, 663 F.3d 671 (3d Cir. Nov. 16, 2011); 29 USC 1132(a)(3).
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Follow the right path — DOL issues final rule on prohibited transaction exemption procedures
June / July 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 730
Abstract: The Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) final rule for prohibited transaction exemption procedures is now in effect and applies to all exemption applications. This article defines prohibited transactions, defines several new terms that plan sponsors should know, and explains how the exemption procedures have been simplified.
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Aiming for the target — Are target date funds right for your plan?
June / July 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 884
Abstract: Target funds are mutual funds in which funds are invested based on a particular target date — usually the participant’s anticipated retirement year. While target funds aren’t a new option, there’s uncertainty from many retirement professionals about them. This article summarizes target date fund basics, including the risk tolerance of participants and what plan sponsors need to consider when offering these funds.
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
April / May 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 87
Abstract: A brief list of key tax reporting deadlines for April and May.
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Take the right steps to terminate your 401(k) plan
April / May 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 315
Abstract: If an employer decides to terminate its 401(k) plan, it must do so properly. If not, it could find itself facing steep consequences or even being sued by the Department of Labor. This brief article discusses the steps necessary to terminate a 401(k) plan.
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Erroneous pension benefit estimate doesn’t support ERISA estoppel claim
April / May 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 598
Abstract: A federal court of appeals has affirmed that an erroneous estimate of a participant’s pension benefits couldn’t support an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) estoppel claim against the pension plan. This article examines why this was good news for the plan, but notes the importance of providing accurate information to retirement plan participants.
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What investment advice can you give? — Final rule on 401(k) investment advice now in effect
April / May 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 815
Abstract: The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule clarifying how investment advisors working with plan sponsors can provide investment advice to retirement plan participants in a way that protects both the participant and the investment advisor. The final rule affects sponsors, fiduciaries, participants and beneficiaries of participant-directed individual account plans, as well as providers of investment and investment-advice-related services to such plans. This article looks at the final rule and what plan sponsors need to do to comply with it.
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DOL releases electronic disclosure enforcement guidance
April / May 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 871
Abstract: Last fall, the Department of Labor (DOL) released an interim enforcement policy regarding the use of electronic media to satisfy the disclosure requirements for participant-directed individual account plans. The guidance requires plan administrators to disclose to plan participants and beneficiaries both planwide and individual fees and expenses that the plan may charge against plan accounts. This article reviews the guidance.
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 125
Abstract: A brief list of key tax reporting deadlines for February, March and April.
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2012 vs. 2011 retirement plan limits
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 108
Abstract: This brief chart highlights numerous retirement plan limits.
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Is that domestic relations order qualified?
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 380
Abstract: Every plan administrator likely will have to handle a domestic relations order at some time. This brief article discusses what an administrator needs to know to make sure the order is qualified before distributing funds owed to a plan participant to another person.
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They’re back … The required minimum distribution deadline is nearing
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 562
Abstract: While some were hoping for a reprieve from the IRS similar to that in 2009, retirement plan participants must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the 2011 tax year. RMDs are minimum amounts that certain participants must take each year. This article reviews when to start these distributions and how much to distribute.
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Dealing with terminated employees’ plan balances
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 700
Abstract: When a participant terminates employment with a company and leaves a vested account balance in the plan, several options are available. The terms of the plan document will control the participant’s decision. This article discusses the options available to plan sponsors, including when a plan can “force out” a participant’s balance.
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It’s a privilege — Understand the ERISA fiduciary exception to the attorney-client privilege
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 845
Abstract: Plan sponsors communicate with attorneys as to plan requirements and potential legal issues regularly. These communications may be subject to the attorney-client privilege, but then again, they may not. This article explains what ERISA plan fiduciaries must understand about the attorney-client privilege and its exceptions.
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COMPLIANCE ALERT – Upcoming compliance deadlines:
Year End 2011
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 78
Abstract: A brief list of key tax reporting deadlines for December and January.
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Be on time with your electronic federal tax deposits
Year End 2011
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 333
Abstract: As of Jan. 1, 2011, the IRS no longer accepts federal tax deposit coupons and it requires taxpayers to submit the deposits electronically. This affects many qualified retirement plans. This brief article explains how to enroll in the electronic program and the importance of making timely deposits.