Benefits Forward

Notice 2010-20 provides updated guidance as to the corporate bond weighted average interest rate and permissible range of interest rates for purposes of Section 412(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II).

The DOL and the Department of the Treasury along with the HHS releases interim final rules on the Mental Health Parity Act.

 In the wake of the significant drop in the equities market that occurred over the last several months, the IRS and the DOL are requesting comments and the views of practitioners and sponsors on the use of annuities in defined contribution plans.
Document Excerpt
 
The Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury (the ‘ Agencies’’) [...]

The IRS issues HEART Act guidance in Q & A form.

The January, 2010 Edition of Employee Plans News includes a new address for determination letter requests.

Notice 2010-6 permits taxpayers to correct certain failures of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan to comply with the plan document requirements of § 409A, or in certain circumstances to limit the amount includible in income and additional taxes under § 409A as a result of a plan document failure.

The DOL has updated its FAQs regarding Schedule C requirements to include a question regarding payments to Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

The DOL and the Department of the Treasury along with the HHS releases interim final rules on the Mental Health Parity Act.

 In the wake of the significant drop in the equities market that occurred over the last several months, the IRS and the DOL are requesting comments and the views of practitioners and sponsors on the use of annuities in defined contribution plans.
Document Excerpt
 
The Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury (the ‘ Agencies’’) [...]

The DOL intends to amend its regulations to expand the definition of plan fiduciary to include pension consultants and others under certain circumstances.

DOL finalizes 7 day safe harbor regulation for participant contributions to small plans.

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration COBRA page now has available model notices updated for the extension provisions of the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations.

The PBGC releases the immediate lump sum interest rate for January, 2010.

The PBGC has released the immediate interest rare for valuing lump sum payments for January, 2010.

The draft information requirements submitted to the Office of Management and Budget in connection with PBGC’s pending proposed rule on Reportable Events are now available on PBGC’s Web site.

The PBGC issues a proposed rule governing reportable events that reflects changes made by the PPA, conforming amendments, and other changes.

The draft information requirements submitted to the Office of Management and Budget in connection with PBGC’s pending proposed rule on Reportable Events are now available on PBGC’s Web site.

The PBGC has issued a notice containing the 2010 flat rate premium and also advising that it will no longer publish the premium notices in the Federal Register.

Article by Benefits Attorney Charles Shulman discussing the new New York mini COBRA extension law.

An article by benefits attorney Charles C. Shulman discusses the recent extension of both the eligibility period and the maximum period for the COBRA subsidy and premium reduction.

HR 4126, introduced in the House of Representatives, would prohibit cross testing.

In response to a request from Senator Evan Bayh the Congressional Budget Office has provided an analysis as to how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act might impact future premium costs.

DOL Withdraws Investment Advice Regulations and Class Exemption. The Department of Labor in today’s Federal Register, 74 F.R. 60156 (Nov. 20, 2009) [double-click for hyper-link], has withdrawn the investment advice regulations and class exemption that it published in January of this year.

Benefits Attorney Charles Shulman discusses action items that plans will need to address in 2009 to comply with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 as well as with the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008.