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Legislative/Regulatory Update |
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Wrap It Up: How Some Employers Miss a Key ERISA Mandate
Question: What does a soft taco have to do with ERISA health benefits? Answer: It illustrates the concept of the "wrap document," a tool to maintain compliance with ERISA rules related to plan documents and summary plan descriptions (SPDs). Click here to continue. |
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DOL Issues FAQs on Health Care Reform and The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on health care reform and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The FAQs clarify the permissible nonquantitative limitations that health plans may apply to mental health and substance abuse benefits. Click here to continue. |
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Worker Transit Benefits Scheduled to Shrink
If you offer pretax transit benefits, you'll probably see the benefit amount shrink starting in January. Click here to continue.
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Year in Review 2011: The Year in Benefit Management
2011 was the year in which employers began to amend their plans to comply with the health care reform law. The initial changes were modest and relatively simple to put into place. For example, few employers had difficulty amending their plans to extend coverage - as the law requires, to employees' adult children up to age 26. Click here to continue.
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What Does The Health System's Future Hold?
In a pair of articles, The Wall Street Journal examines the future of the American health care system and finds that many experts think there is little new in strategies to squeeze costs and improve quality. Click here to continue. |
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Workers Risk Severe Financial Hardship Without Basic Life and Disability Insurance
Many workers feel more strongly about insuring their homes and cars than insuring their ability to provide for their families after a death or disabling injury. The result is a workforce underinsured for both life and disability protection - and vulnerable to severe financial hardship. The good news is employers can play a key role in providing access to this important protection and helping their employees understand their need for coverage. Click here to continue.
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Retirement News for Employers
In this edition of Retirement News for Employers, the IRS reviews various retirement issues in their Fall 2011 issue. Click here to continue. |
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401(k) Fee Disclosure to Change DC Game
Since the financial crisis and Great Recession, 401(k) plans have undergone dramatic shifts. To foster diversification and greater participation, 51% of participants in Fidelity Investments' 401(k) plans are in automatically enrolled plans, up from 16% five years ago, and 73% of the plans use target-date funds as the default, up from 11% in 2006. Click here to continue. |
Many 401(k) Participants Would Be Hit Hard By Proposed Tax Changes
Many 401(k) participants would likely see lower account balances if federal lawmakers implement a pair of proposals aimed at changing the tax treatment of 401(k) retirement plans, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Click here to continue.
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A Perfect Storm for Estate Planning
Politics, the weak economy and low interest rates have combined to create one of the best environments for estate planning in a generation. Click here to continue. |
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The Most Asked Questions about Long Term Care Planning
When it comes to long-term care planning, asking questions is essential. This guide from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance answers some of the more frequently asked questions. The information will help you make better decisions when considering your options. Click here to continue.
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Bollinger's Risk Management Services Newsletter
Click here to read the most recent issue. |
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D&O Liability Insurance: Time to Reassess Risks and Coverage
As the year comes to an end, many companies, along with their officers and board members, are considering renewals for directors and officers (D&O) insurance coverage. Click here to continue. |
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A Business Ponders Whether Its Location is Perfect, or a Disaster
The United States Department of Labor has estimated that 40 percent of businesses never reopen after experiencing a disaster. Of those that do, at least 25 percent close again within two years. Click here to continue. |
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Ways Managers Can Help Promote a Safe Workplace
Encouraging open communication and providing employees with support and clear guidelines on behavior that promotes a positive, respectful, and safe workplace is part of every manager's job. Managers play a decisive role in pro-moting a safe workplace and have a responsibility to actively address behaviors that undermine a safe work environment. Click here to continue.
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