The Benefits of Walking
By Nan Maley, R.N.
Corporate Wellness Director, Sullivan Benefits |
Spring is here! If a daily fitness walk could be put in a pill, it would be one of the most popular prescriptions in the world. It has so many health benefits. Walking can reduce the risk of many diseases - from heart attack and stroke to hip fracture and glaucoma. These may sound like claims on a bottle of snake oil, but they're backed by major research. Walking requires no prescription, the risk of side effects is very low, and the benefits are numerous: Managing your weight. Combined with healthy eating, physical activity is key to any plan for long-lasting weight control. Keeping your weight within healthy limits can lower your risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. READ MORE |
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Are You In Compliance?
By Chrystine M. Heier, CEBS, LIA
Co-Founder and Principal, Sullivan Benefits |
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There's been quite a bit going on in Washington, D.C. lately and much focus and debate on the future delivery of healthcare. We'd like to make sure you're up to date on recent developments and also make sure you don't overlook other important health and welfare plan compliance requirements.
RECENT LEGISLATION
Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART Act) of 2008 - This Act amended IRS Code Section 125 to allow for (but does not require) employer health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) to provide for qualified reservist distributions (QRDs). If an employer health FSA provides, a member of the armed services reserves who is called to active duty for a period of 180 days or longer may withdraw unused amounts provided that the request is made during the allowable timeframe. Any such withdrawal is subject to taxation. IRS Notice 2008-82 provides details and technical guidance. Generally, plan amendments must be completed on a prospective basis, although a transition rule applies for QRDs made before January 1, 2010. READ MORE |
Needham Heights Office:
72 River Park · Needham Heights, MA 02494-2631
Phone: 781.449.8323 · Fax: 781.449.5419
Worcester Office:
One Chestnut Place · Worcester, MA 01608-2804
Phone: 508.471.9017 · Fax: 508.797.3689 |
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On March 24th, the DOL held a national webcast clarifying several requirements:
Involuntary Terminations: Include 1) employer initiated resignations, and 2) constructive involuntary terminations (i.e. an employee declines an opportunity to take a job in another state following a plant closing), and 3) employee quitting in response to a "material negative change in employment" (i.e. his/her hours are substantially reduced so he/she leaves for another job with more hours); and 4) layoffs when an employee is told not to report for a period of time.
Subsidy Not Available to "Non Qualified Beneficiaries": Individuals not considered Qualified Beneficiaries (i.e. domestic partners, same-sex spouses or dependents added to COBRA after the qualifying event, except children added after birth, adoption or placement for adoption) do not qualify for the subsidy.
The DOL and IRS are issuing guidance periodically in response to public requests. We will continue to update you with important information as it becomes available. In the interim, please feel free to contact any member of the Sullivan Benefits Team with your questions.
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Notice to Sullivan Benefits Clients
If you currently utilize our COBRA Administration services, we're pleased to anounce that we have begun mailing out the required ARRA COBRA Notices. The deadline for mailing of these notices is April 18, 2009 and all client mailings will be completed prior to this deadline.
As always, please contact us with any questions, concerns or requests for further information! |
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