Tag: benefits

Pension Plans’ Funded Status Slipped in February

Three monthly measures of defined benefit pension plans’ funded status slipped or remained flat in February after a strong start to 2013, due mostly to weakening interest rates. The Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index, which monitors funding for the U.S.’s largest corporate DB plans, posted a decrease in funded status for the month to 81.5 […]

ACA Will Make Wellness Even More Important

Your wellness program may get much more important under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says Morris, a member of the firm Epstein Becker Green in its Washington, D.C., office who specializes in benefits. There are already many benefits to wellness programs, but Morris is convinced they will become even more crucial as the ACA unfolds […]

IRS Has Some Answers for Small Business Considering SHOP Subsidies

These questions and answers on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit are adapted from the IRS web site for companies considering getting federal subsidies to help pay premiums for their workers to get health insurance.  The subsidies are authorized by health reform law. Q: Which companies qualify for a federal health care tax credit? A: […]

More Pension Sponsors Considering Lump-sum Payouts

As defined benefit plan sponsors look harder for ways to cut expenses and lower exposure to market forces that challenge keeping their pension obligations funded, an obvious cost to evaluate is their commitment to lifetime retirement benefits for participants. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. employers with DB plans told Aon Hewitt in its recent 2013 […]

Small Employers May See Fewer Choices on SHOP in 2014, HHS Says

A health reform requirement that all insurers offer four levels of health coverage to small businesses would be delayed until 2015 under proposed rules scheduled to be published March 11 in the Federal Register. Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposal, small employers may get one choice of health coverage in 2014. […]

Small Employers May See Fewer Choices on SHOP in 2014, HHS Says

A reform requirement that all insurers must offer four levels of health coverage to small businesses would be delayed until 2015 under proposed rules scheduled to be published March 11 in the Federal Register. Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposal, small employers may get one choice of health coverage in 2014. […]

People Are People, Not Human Resources

Oswald, CEO of BLR®, offered his thoughts on leadership and people in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter. Elvis—only his first name is necessary—is still the second best-selling artist of all time (only behind The Beatles), and he’s been dead for more than 35 years! Somehow we elevate these people to godlike status, but […]

IRS Gives 403(b) Plans Audit Relief, Tips on Top 10 Errors

Now that the IRS has incorporated 403(b) plans into its Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, it is providing some plan sponsors with compliance relief, and is expanding upon some online tools it provides to help plan sponsors identify the steps they can take to help maintain their 403(b) plans. In January, the IRS issued Revenue […]

Benefits and Perks for 2013–What’s Really Happening?

Please participate in our brief survey—sponsored by Aflac—and see how the perks you offer stack up against those of other successful companies. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: What benefits and perks are most commonly offered? What effect do perks have on recruiting and retention? What are the benefits of tuition reimbursement? Who’s […]

Feds Step Up Health Reform Implementation With New Rules

It’s been busy recently for the federal government when it comes to implementing various health reform requirements. Here’s an overview of new guidance issued the week of Feb. 25-March 1 on health insurer fees, market reforms, the Small Business Health Options Program, multiple employer welfare arrangement regulation and information reporting. Self-insured Health Plans Exempt from […]