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October 1, 2001 - 6,365 subscribers
Today's sponsor: EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
(Help BenefitsLink to provide this newsletter at no charge to you -- our sponsors pay our way. Remember to visit them periodically; we try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
IRS Announces Medical Savings Accounts Will Be Available in 2002; Cut-Off Not Yet Reached
Excerpt: "36,250 ... MSA returns count toward the applicable statutory limitation for 2001 MSA returns of 750,000.... [Accordingly] 2001 is not a 'cut-off' year for the Archer MSA pilot project by reason of either the 2000 MSA returns test of section 220(j)(2)(A) or the alternative test of section 220(j)(2)(B) of the Code." (Internal Revenue Service)
Overview: Supreme Court to Hear ERISA Preemption Case
Excerpt: "One case on the docket has probably gained in importance as a result of the terrorist attacks, although it is completely unrelated to them. That is a case from Illinois on whether states can enforce laws providing for binding independent review of a health maintenance organization's rejection of a proposed treatment." (New York Times; free registration required)
Downsizing with Dignity
Excerpt: "Many firms make layoffs less painful for their employees with outplacement help and rehiring bonuses." (Network World)
Census Bureau Says Number of Uninsured Fell in 2000; Employer Coverage Up 0.6%
Excerpt: "Most of the insured population (64.1%) was covered by an employment-related health plan for part or all of 2000, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year." (Reuters via Medscape; free registration required)
(Following items are in both editions of the BenefitsLink Newsletter)
DOL Proposes Allowing Employers to Make Interest-Free Loans to Plans Affected by September 11 Events
Excerpt: "The [proposal would] amend PTE 80-26 ... to expand its interest free loan exemption to address potential liquidity problems faced by many employee benefit plans ... [The loan could be] used only for a purpose incidental to the ordinary operation of the plan which arises in connection with difficulties encountered by the plan in liquidating, or otherwise accessing its assets, or accessing its data in a timely manner as a direct or indirect result of the September 11, 2001 disruption." (U.S. Department of Labor)
Another Question is Answered in the Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Long-Term Employment Incentives Q&A Column
I have non-qualified stock options in a private company. After I leave the company, I want to exercise and sell the vested portion of my options on the same day, but the company is not required to buy back the shares on the same day. Is there a way for me to delay income tax withholding until the company buys back the shares? (BenefitsLink.com)
Reservists' Jobs Safe as Duty Calls
Excerpt: "To ensure this protection, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced last week that the Department of Labor will begin an education campaign for employers as well as National Guard and Reserve units." (Chicago Tribune)
New EBRI Fact Sheet: Compensation Costs in State and Local Governments
Excerpt: "The cost of employee benefits increased at an average annual rate of 2.5 percent from March 1991 to March 2001. In March 1991, benefit costs were $6.79 per hour worked, or 30.4 percent of total compensation. In March of 2001, benefit costs were $8.73, or 29.0 percent of total compensation." (Employee Benefit Research Institute)
What Employers Need To Know About the Benefits of Reservists Called to Active Duty (PDF)
6 pages; originally published May, 1999. Excerpt: "Under USERRA, all public and private employers, no matter how small, must be ready to: (1) offer the option to purchase extended health insurance coverage; (2) provide those who leave for the military with the same benefits that employees on other types of leave receive; and (3) reemploy reservists returning from active duty in their former jobs or equivalent positions, if at all feasible." (The Segal Company)
Impact of Reserve Call-Ups on Multiemployer Plans (PDF)
6 pages; originally published May, 1999. Excerpt: "USERRA confirms that discrimination in any aspect of employment, reemployment or any benefits of employment on the basis of an individual's participation in the uniformed services is prohibited. This Bulletin focuses on the key provisions for sponsors of benefit plans in general. It also addresses some issues of interest to sponsors of multiemployer plans in particular." (The Segal Company)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings ( Post Yours! )
Newly Posted Conferences ( Post Yours! )
Copyright 2001 BenefitsLink.com, Inc., but you may freely distribute this email newsletter in whole. This newsletter is edited by David Rhett Baker, J.D.
Jobs | Today's Messages | Topical News | Q&A Columns | Services & Products | Search | Reference
The BenefitsLink Newsletter -
Welfare Plans Edition
Welfare Plans Edition
October 1, 2001 - 6,365 subscribers
Today's sponsor: EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
Fill your employee benefits job openings fast by advertising on BenefitsLink. What better place to find qualified candidates? Your help wanted ad will be listed in the BenefitsLink Newsletter (over 19,000 subscriptions to the two editions), will be seen by thousands of candidates who view our listings online, and will be emailed to over 2,000 job-seekers. Click to see how easy it is to place an ad!
(Help BenefitsLink to provide this newsletter at no charge to you -- our sponsors pay our way. Remember to visit them periodically; we try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
IRS Announces Medical Savings Accounts Will Be Available in 2002; Cut-Off Not Yet Reached
Excerpt: "36,250 ... MSA returns count toward the applicable statutory limitation for 2001 MSA returns of 750,000.... [Accordingly] 2001 is not a 'cut-off' year for the Archer MSA pilot project by reason of either the 2000 MSA returns test of section 220(j)(2)(A) or the alternative test of section 220(j)(2)(B) of the Code." (Internal Revenue Service)
Overview: Supreme Court to Hear ERISA Preemption Case
Excerpt: "One case on the docket has probably gained in importance as a result of the terrorist attacks, although it is completely unrelated to them. That is a case from Illinois on whether states can enforce laws providing for binding independent review of a health maintenance organization's rejection of a proposed treatment." (New York Times; free registration required)
Downsizing with Dignity
Excerpt: "Many firms make layoffs less painful for their employees with outplacement help and rehiring bonuses." (Network World)
Census Bureau Says Number of Uninsured Fell in 2000; Employer Coverage Up 0.6%
Excerpt: "Most of the insured population (64.1%) was covered by an employment-related health plan for part or all of 2000, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year." (Reuters via Medscape; free registration required)
DOL Proposes Allowing Employers to Make Interest-Free Loans to Plans Affected by September 11 Events
Excerpt: "The [proposal would] amend PTE 80-26 ... to expand its interest free loan exemption to address potential liquidity problems faced by many employee benefit plans ... [The loan could be] used only for a purpose incidental to the ordinary operation of the plan which arises in connection with difficulties encountered by the plan in liquidating, or otherwise accessing its assets, or accessing its data in a timely manner as a direct or indirect result of the September 11, 2001 disruption." (U.S. Department of Labor)
Another Question is Answered in the Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Long-Term Employment Incentives Q&A Column
I have non-qualified stock options in a private company. After I leave the company, I want to exercise and sell the vested portion of my options on the same day, but the company is not required to buy back the shares on the same day. Is there a way for me to delay income tax withholding until the company buys back the shares? (BenefitsLink.com)
Reservists' Jobs Safe as Duty Calls
Excerpt: "To ensure this protection, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced last week that the Department of Labor will begin an education campaign for employers as well as National Guard and Reserve units." (Chicago Tribune)
New EBRI Fact Sheet: Compensation Costs in State and Local Governments
Excerpt: "The cost of employee benefits increased at an average annual rate of 2.5 percent from March 1991 to March 2001. In March 1991, benefit costs were $6.79 per hour worked, or 30.4 percent of total compensation. In March of 2001, benefit costs were $8.73, or 29.0 percent of total compensation." (Employee Benefit Research Institute)
What Employers Need To Know About the Benefits of Reservists Called to Active Duty (PDF)
6 pages; originally published May, 1999. Excerpt: "Under USERRA, all public and private employers, no matter how small, must be ready to: (1) offer the option to purchase extended health insurance coverage; (2) provide those who leave for the military with the same benefits that employees on other types of leave receive; and (3) reemploy reservists returning from active duty in their former jobs or equivalent positions, if at all feasible." (The Segal Company)
Impact of Reserve Call-Ups on Multiemployer Plans (PDF)
6 pages; originally published May, 1999. Excerpt: "USERRA confirms that discrimination in any aspect of employment, reemployment or any benefits of employment on the basis of an individual's participation in the uniformed services is prohibited. This Bulletin focuses on the key provisions for sponsors of benefit plans in general. It also addresses some issues of interest to sponsors of multiemployer plans in particular." (The Segal Company)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings ( Post Yours! )
for Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP
in MN
in MN
Newly Posted Conferences ( Post Yours! )
in MD
on October 18, 2001
presented by Baltimore Chapter of ISCEBS
presented by Baltimore Chapter of ISCEBS
in MA
on October 24, 2001
presented by Cerulli Associates, Inc.
presented by Cerulli Associates, Inc.
in GA
on December 3, 2001
presented by Schwab Retirement Technologies
presented by Schwab Retirement Technologies
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Copyright 2001 BenefitsLink.com, Inc., but you may freely distribute this email newsletter in whole. This newsletter is edited by David Rhett Baker, J.D.
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