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[Official Guidance]
Final IRS Regs: Employer Comparable Contributions to Health Savings Accounts Under Section 4980G (PDF)
7 pages. Excerpt: "The sections of these regulations that provide guidance on employer comparable contributions to HSAs under section 4980G apply to employer contributions made on or after January 1, 2010. The sections of these regulations that provide guidance relating to the excise tax under sections 4980B, 4980D, 4980E and 4980G apply to any Form 8928 that is due on or after January 1, 2010." (Internal Revenue Service)


[Guidance Overview]
CMS Revises HICN/SSN Collection Form Used for Mandatory Reporting Purposes
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: Issuance of the revised guidance highlights CMS's commitment to getting the HICN/SSNs. Most of the changes were likely intended to make it easier for [responsible reporting entities (RREs)], active covered individuals, their spouses and family members to provide CMS with the necessary information. It is not clear why the reference to 'parent' was dropped from the revised guidance. Since the term had previously appeared in some categories but not others, the deletion may have been for reasons of consistency and not substance. But Medicare regulations do provide that 'family members may include a spouse (including a divorced or common-law spouse), a natural, adopted, foster, or stepchild, a parent, or a sibling.'" (Employee Benefits Institute of America)


[Guidance Overview]
COBRA Premium Payment Postmarked One Day After the End of the Grace Period Was Late
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: The language in the election notice in this case certainly helped the court reach its holding. However, the DOL COBRA regulations simply require that election notices contain a description of due dates, grace periods, and consequences of delayed payment or nonpayment, and we don't read the case to require warnings about the pitfalls of delayed mailings. Another provision in the IRS COBRA regulations -- under which a premium payment is considered made on the date it is sent to the plan -- also supports the court's holding. The case is also a useful reminder for those plans that do provide benefits through insurance: A longer-than-30-day grace period may apply in cases where the insurer imposes a longer period for the employer." (Employee Benefits Institute of America)


New Fee on Health Insurance Companies Is Proposed to Help Expand Coverage
Excerpt: "In a last effort to give the Senate a bipartisan health care bill, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee circulated a comprehensive proposal on Sunday to overhaul the health care system and proposed a new fee on insurance companies to help pay for coverage of the uninsured. The proposal is the culmination of more than a year of work by the chairman, Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana." (The New York Times; free registration required)


Audio: Listen to the Entire Contents of HR 3200, the Health Care Bill
Excerpt: "[Working voice actors have donated time and their commitment to make] it possible for you to hear the Health Care Bill now before Congress. [They] do this so that you can make an informed decision. Armed with specifics, you can then speak to your representatives empowered with the facts that make your opinion an educated one -- one with weight. [See the HR 3200 download option at the top of the target page.]" (Hear The Bill)


Health Care Bills Would Offer the Unemployed Alternatives to COBRA
Excerpt: "The health care reform bills under consideration by Congress would maintain COBRA but also let displaced workers buy alternative insurance policies through a health insurance exchange that anyone would be eligible to use. 'There is nothing in the bill that says you can keep your insurance if you lose your job, but it would make it easier and less expensive for you to buy another policy,' says Paul Fronstin of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute that studies employee benefits." (Cleveland Live, Inc.)


Controling Health Care Costs by Focusing More on Prevention
Excerpt: "As lawmakers toy with potentially massive healthcare reform this year, it is becoming increasingly clear that changing financial incentives, digitizing records, and tracking outcomes can only go so far in reducing healthcare costs and improving quality. Fixing the healthcare crisis will only be effective if everyone -- patients, providers, payers, and politicians -- start paying more attention to the health crisis. That means preventing diseases that can be prevented. Estimates attribute nearly 80% of chronic diseases to lifestyle factors, says Kathryn Menard-Rothe, wellness manager for Froedtert & Community Health, a regional hospital system in Wisconsin." (HealthLeaders Media)

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Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

[Guidance Overview]
What Does Same-S.ex Marriage Mean for Hospitality Employers?
Excerpt: "So far, six states have legalized same-s.ex marriages: Massachusetts; Connecticut; Iowa; Vermont; Maine; and New Hampshire. The Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa laws are already in effect. The other states have enacted laws that will take effect within the next six months: the Vermont law will take effect on September 1, 2009; the Maine law will take effect 90 days after the close of the legislative session, or approximately September 12, 2009; and the New Hampshire law will take effect on January 1, 2010. These state laws raise a number of complex legal questions as well as a multitude of practical considerations for employers. Here's a quick overview of the legal landscape [and advice for proceeding on understanding your liabilities.]" (Fisher & Phillips LLP)

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Webcasts and Conferences

Compensation Consternation
Nationwide on September 23, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Dealing with Determination Letters - Are You Ready?
Nationwide on October 20, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Fees Reportable on 2009 Schedule C - Fee Basics for Preparers
Nationwide on November 19, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Forget about EFAST2! What's New on the Forms?
Nationwide on December 10, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

How Will EFAST 2 Affect Your Business? Get Ready for Electronic Filing of Form 5500
Nationwide on September 17, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Meet EFAST2: I-REG, I-FILE and I-FAS
Nationwide on October 22, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

New FTC Red Flag Rules: Impact on Employee Benefits With Craig J. Davidson, CEBS
Nationwide on September 22, 2009
presented by FutureOffice Network

Preparing the 2009 Schedule C
Nationwide on December 3, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC): The Premier Credential for 403(b) and 457 Plan Professionals
Nationwide on October 27, 2009
presented by ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries)

No-Cost Webinar: How to Prepare Total Rewards Statements In-house on Your Own PC
Nationwide on September 9, 2009
presented by Benefit Software Inc.

You?re Invited! 401k Advisors' Plan Sponsor Education Series - Fee Legislation Update: Preparing Your Plan for Proposed Changes - Free Webinar
Nationwide on September 16, 2009
presented by 401k Advisors

You?re Invited! 401k Advisors' Plan Sponsor Education Series - Fee Legislation Update: Preparing Your Plan for Proposed Changes - Free Webinar
in California on September 17, 2009
presented by 401k Advisors

( Click to post your webcast or conference )

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Press Releases

PBGC Introduces Tools to Help New Visitors to Agency's Web Site
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Railroad Retirement Spouse Benefits
Railroad Retirement Board

Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt File Form S-4 as Part of Next Step in Creation of Towers Watson & Co.
Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt

( Click to post your press release )

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Employee Benefits Jobs

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in MO

Retirement Plan Associate Consultant
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in MA

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in ANY STATE

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Handy Links:

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• Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
• Employee Benefits Library

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