EBU
Showing 353–368 of 395 results
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3 retirement benefits options for small businesses
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 325
Abstract: For small business owners, a 401(k) plan may be impractical. Yet helping employees save for their retirement is a perk for many businesses. This brief article explains three possible alternatives, and two of them allow employees to save quite a bit more than they can with a traditional IRA.
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – What you need to know about changes to COBRA coverage
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) makes substantial changes to COBRA coverage, including the addition of a government subsidy for medical premiums. Signed into law earlier this year, ARRA affects employers with 20 or more employees who maintain group health plans. This article summarizes the changes made to COBRA under the act.
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Is your plan ready for automatic enrollment? IRS issues final regulations
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 764
Abstract: Final IRS regulations now in effect encourage greater retirement plan participation through two types of automatic enrollment arrangements: qualified automatic contribution arrangements (QACAs) and eligible automatic contribution arrangements (EACAs). This article provides some highlights of each arrangement.
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IRS simplifies timing of taxes on ADP corrections
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 860
Abstract: Many plans that provide for elective contributions are subject to the actual deferral percentage (ADP) test. This test limits the amount that certain plan benefits provided to highly compensated employees (HCEs) may exceed benefits provided to nonhighly compensated employees (NHCEs). A failing ADP test is something that many plans have to face at some point in time. While this sounds intimidating, the fix is actually pretty easy under new IRS requirements. This article takes a look at the law and provides a few examples.
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Remind your participants about the upside of investing
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 317
Abstract: It’s fair to say the economy is in upheaval and the stock market has been volatile in the past year. Although some participants may believe it’s time to get their money out of your company’s 401(k) plan and head for the hills, they’d be missing the bigger picture. This brief article provides a few ideas that may help quell participant nervousness.
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“Waiving” bye-bye to 2009 RMDs
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 818
Abstract: The economic downturn has impacted every facet of the American economic system, including retirement plans. At a time when account values are the lowest they’ve been in years, IRS rules force some participants to take a distribution under the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules. Many of those affected believe that, if the money were left in the account, it would have a chance to recover some of its lost value when the economy turns around and stocks make up some of their lost ground. With this in mind, late last year the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 became law. This article reviews what this means for your participants and what you need to know.
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What you can do when participants really need their money
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 752
Abstract: Money isn’t locked away as tightly within their retirement accounts as plan participants think it is. They can take a few different routes to gain access to the money in their account before the age of 59½, while still actively participating in the plan. This article examines two of the most convenient: participant loans and hardship withdrawals.
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401(k) match suspensions – What does it mean to sponsors and plan participants?
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 880
Abstract: Many companies have felt their budgets tightening in this economy. One way to shore up your firm’s budget is to suspend your 401(k) matching dollars. This article explores the implication this holds for plan sponsors and participants.
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Get ready: 401(k) plan audits
April / May 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 398
Abstract: When your 401(k) plan reaches a certain size, the IRS requires that an independent CPA perform an audit. Generally, plans file this audit with their annual Form 5500 by July 31. (It can be extended to Oct. 15.) This brief article summarizes what you need to know before this filing date.
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DOL proposes investment disclosure regulation
April / May 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 649
Abstract: Fee disclosure has been a much discussed employee benefit topic in the past several years. The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued three sets of proposed regulations on fee disclosure during the past year and a half alone. This article looks at the latest proposed regulation covering investment-related fee disclosures to participants.
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Balance forward plans – Is the time right for an interim valuation?
April / May 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 505
Abstract: Balance forward plans are defined contribution plans in which participant accounts are generally valued on an annual basis. Because of the stock market decline last year, a number of plan administrators are considering having interim valuations done on their balance forward plans. This article discussed what plan fiduciaries should consider when deciding to perform an interim valuation.
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Terminating 403(b) plans – New IRS regs are a welcome change
April / May 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 639
Abstract: Section 403(b) plans are a tax-deferred retirement plan — similar to a 401(k) plan — available for nonprofit organizations, such as public schools, churches and certain health care industries. What if a nonprofit wants to terminate its 403(b) plan? This article covers what you need to know to terminate a 403(b) plan.
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“Cross-tested” plans offer advantages to plan sponsors
April / May 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 745
Abstract: When funding profit sharing contributions, one type of plan has proven to be very effective. Known as “cross-tested” plans, they provide a unique profit sharing contribution into retirement plans. Cross-tested plans — a hybrid combination of defined contribution and defined benefit concepts — allow employers to fund a specific targeted group of employees while also meeting the needs of other employees. This article reviews these plans and whether one may be right for your company.
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2009 vs. 2008 retirement plan limits
February / March 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 100
Abstract: This brief chart outlines numerous 2009 retirement plan limit increases that all employers and plan sponsors should be aware of.
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Be prepared for QDROs
February / March 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: Qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) require plan sponsors to distribute a participant’s money in a qualified retirement plan to “alternate payees.” Today, the combined assets in a couple’s retirement account typically make up one of their largest assets next to the family home. This article discusses QDROs so that you understand how they work.
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SAS 70 audit reports – How to find out more about your service providers
February / March 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 598
Abstract: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 70 is an internationally recognized auditing standard for service providers, including employee benefits service providers. It demonstrates that a service provider has been through an audit of its internal control procedures, including controls over information technology and related processes. This article takes a closer look at why employers and plan sponsors should know about these audit reports.