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Archived Spencer's Benefits Reports NetNews™

August 29, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Survey: WorkLife Programs Intact, Despite Volatile Economy, 8/08 (327.-3)
• Court Cases: QDRO Issues, 8/08 (112.04.-29)
• Analysis: Five Types Of IRAs Available, 8/08 (105.1.-1)
• Analysis: Chronological Summary Of HSA Guidance, 8/08 (356.-33)
• Overview And Analysis: PBGC's Annual Financial Report, 8/08 (619.-1)
• Semiannual CPI In Selected Cities, 8/08 (301.1.-33)

News

Number And Rate Of Uninsured Dropped In 2007 CDHP Increases Fueled By Premium Declines Employer Did Not Violate The ADEA By Offering Early Retirement Benefits As Part Of Merger Negotiations Text, OPM, Final Rule, Federal Employees’ Dental, Vision Programs OPM Issues Final Regs On Dental And Vision Benefits Many Medicare Part D Enrollees Reached The Coverage Gap In 2007 EEOC Issues Annual Report On Federal Work Force For 2007 Health Plan Costs Will Increase 10% In 2009, Segal Predicts House Bill Would Eliminate FMLA’s Hours-Of-Service Requirement Insurer Properly Terminated LTD Benefits Where Beneficiary Was Capable Of Sedentary Work EBSA Proposes Regs On ERISA’s Exemption For Provision Of Investment Advice By Fiduciaries New Guidelines Proposed For HIPAA Transaction Standards Nursing Home Costs Exceed $70,000 Annually President Names Three Members To PBGC Advisory Committee Health IT Is One Tool For Health Care System Transformation

August 22, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Analysis: Incentive Stock Options, 8/08 (291.-1)
• Analysis: Sec. 423 Stock Purchase Plans, 8/08 (209.-1)
• Court Cases: Cash Balance Plans And Age Discrimination, 8/08 (106.3.-1)
• Overview And Analysis: PBGC Benefit Guarantees, 8/08 (618.1.-1)
• Text: 2008 PBGC Interest Rates, 8/08 (619.5.-41)
• Analysis: Health Care Effectiveness Data And Information Set (HEDIS), 8/08 (313.4.-7)

News

• CMS Provides Guidance On Mandatory Reporting Requirements For Group Health Plans On Medicare Secondary Payer
• GAO Finds Lack Of Oversight Of PBGC’s Investment Policy
• Ninth Circuit Joins Other Courts In Ruling That Cash Balance Plans Are Not Age-Discriminatory
• Text: IRS Rev. Proc. 2008-48, Dependents Of Divorced Parents
• IRS Provides Limited Exception To Dependent Claims
• CMS Issues Updated Factors For Medicare Inpatient Payment Rates For Fiscal Year 2009
• Commissions “Paid” Instead Of “Earned” Determined Amount Of Beneficiary’s LTD Benefits
• New Benefits Questions And Answers, Week Of August 18
• Aging U.S. Population Dramatically Reflected In Hospital Statistics
• ERISA Preempted Texas’ “Any Willing Provider” Law; Payment Out Of Network Not Required
• PBGC Issues September 2008 Interest Rates For Valuing Terminating Pension Plans
• Majority Want Overhaul Of Health Care System To Improve Quality, Access, And Cost
• Railroad Retirement Board Issues Final Regs On Partition Of Benefits Upon Divorce Under The PPA
• Medicare Physician Pay-For-Performance Demonstration Improves Quality Of Care For Chronic Illnesses
• IRS Updates Its Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System
• ISI Predicts Increases In HSAs
• Post-Hospital Emergency Room Visits Suggest Poor Inpatient Care

August 15, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• CPI: Medical, By Group And Item, 8/08 (301.1.-19)
• CPI Semiannual Increase, Region/Population Size Class, 8/08 (301.1.-21)
• Analysis: Public Employee Plans, Exclusion From Tax Code Rules, 8/08 (108.1.-1)
• Analysis: Cash Balance Plans Passing Accrual Rules, 8/08 (106.4.-5)
• Analysis: PBGC Administrative Review Procedures, 8/08 (619.07.-1)
• Annual CPI In Selected Cities, 8/08 (301.1-25)

News

• Text: Defense Department, Reserve and Guard Family Member Benefits
• DOD Issues Final Regulations On Enrollment In TRICARE By Family Members Of Reservists
• Aon Predicts 10.6% Health Care Cost Increases In Next 12 Months
• IRS Commissioner Names New Senior Adviser
• Termination Of Employee After Filing Claim For STD Benefits Did Not Violate ERISA
• Fees Remain Elusive For Up To 25% Of 401(k) Plan Sponsors, Survey Finds
• Rhode Island’s New Military Family Leave Law Affects Small Employers
• DOL Obtains Default Judgment That Requires Restaurant Group, Trustee To Repay 401(k) Plan
• Medicare Will Not Pay For Three More Preventable Hospital-Acquired Conditions
• Hewitt Survey Finds That Women Need To Save More For Retirement
• Court Appoints Independent Fiduciary To Manage Abandoned 401(k) Plan Of New York Firm
• Federal Interest Rates Announced For Pensions
• BLS Report Reviews Benefits For Civilian Workers
• Retiring Baby Boomers Prompt Increased Employer Interest In Phased Retirement
• Actuaries Advocate Raising Social Security Retirement Age Beyond Age 67
• HSA Savings Insufficient To Fund Retiree Health

August 8, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Survey: CPI Increases, By Group And Item, 1-,3-, 6- Month, 8/08 (301.1.-23)
• Analysis: 404A Deductions For Foreign Plans, 8/08 (170.05.-5)
• Court Cases: Reversions Of Excess Assets, 8/08 (161.-7)
• Analysis: Excise Tax On Funding Deficiencies, 8/08 (131.7.-1)
• Court Cases: Definition Of "Disability" Under ADA, 7/08 (406.05.-1)

News

• Text: IRS Rev. Rul. 2008-45, Transferring Sponsorship Of A Retirement Plan
• IRS Addresses Transfer Of Pension Plan And Application Of Exclusive Benefit Rule
• Massachusetts Releases Revised Guidance On Minimum Creditable Coverage Requirements
• Court Appoints Independent Fiduciary For Hospital’s Retirement Plan
• Surgical Errors Cost Nearly $1.5 Billion Annually
• PBGC Waives Penalties, Extends Deadlines For Entities Affected By Severe Storms In Six States
• DOL Obtains Consent Judgment That Restores $70,986 In Assets To Puerto Rican Union Plan
• Consumer-Driven Marketplace Continues To Grow
• PBGC Solicits Investment Partnerships To Manage Equity, Real Estate Portfolios
• Maryland’s New Paid Leave Law Takes Effect On October 1
• Benefits Costs Rise More Slowly Than Wages For Second Consecutive Quarter
• PBGC Takes Over Underfunded Pension Plans Of New York Hospital
• DOL Obtains Consent Judgment That Restores $125,000 To Money Purchase Plan
• Text: IRS, Final Rules, Mortality Tables for Determining Present Value
• IRS Finalizes Mortality Tables For Pension Funding Calculations That Reflect Provisions Of PPA
• House Subcommittee Approves Bill That Would Continue Health Care Coverage For Students On Leave