http://www.benefitscounsel.com/benefitsblog/ B. JANELL GRENIER, ESQ.]]> en-us jgrenier@benefitscounsel.com Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:22:52 -0500 http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002135.html As some of you may have heard, I have been diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer which started in my kidney and spread to my lymph nodes. Because of that, it is with sadness that I... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002134.html The recent edition of the IRS's Retirement News for Employers reminds employers that required minimum distributions from defined benefit plans are still required for 2009 and that the 2009 waiver does not apply to these types of plans. See also... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002133.html Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002132.html From the Tax Prof Blog: The Tax Foundation has released U.S. Lags While Competitors Accelerate Corporate Income Tax Reform: New data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that the U.S. corporate tax rate has fallen even... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002131.html For an article providing a review of recent legal developments pertaining to retiree medical, read: "Retiree Medical Litigation's Dirty Little Secret: "Location, Location, Location!" (Reader beware: Some might take offense at the descriptive phrase used in the article: "Shipwreck of... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002130.html The FTC has issued some Q & As which are very helpful to practitioners regarding the application of the Red Flags Rule to certain benefit plans: Plan Loans: 12. If our company meets the definition of a “financial institution” or... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002129.html From the Wall Street Journal--"Repealing ERISA." Excerpt: ERISA allows employers that self-insure--that is, those large enough to build their own risk pools and pay benefits directly--to offer uniform plans across state lines. This lets thousands of businesses avoid, for the... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002128.html A great story in the Boston Globe (as noted by Plan Sponsor) today: "Lappin takes hit for workers." It describes how an owner and founder of a charity, Ronald Lappin, has restored the 401(k) balances of his employees to the... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002127.html Access it here. Read about it in this press release here. Read about the proposed legislation here.... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002126.html You can read about it here at the Fiduciary Guidebook.... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002125.html There is a very interesting study here from Wharton suggesting that better wellness programs could be created by employers to encourage workforce health and lower health insurance costs. The article suggests that offering employees a discount in their health insurance... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002124.html Indicates wide-spread concern. Excerpt: An overwhelming 70 percent oppose taxing benefits worth over $17,000 a year, a funding mechanism under discussion. Fifty-eight percent don't buy President Obama's pledge that reform can occur without forcing people to make undesired changes in... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002123.html Another Guidebook is in the works: The Tax-Exempt/Governmental Plans Guidebook. . .... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002122.html TheCorporateCounsel.net Blog has a good summary here of the SEC's and Treasury's proposed changes to the executive compensation arena. Also, Gene Sperling, Counselor to the Secretary of the Treausry, made the following statement: . . . [T]here is substantial evidence... http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/002121.html Great article here on 401(k) plan loans. The article actually discusses the effect 401(k) plan loans have on individuals contemplating bankruptcy....