Benefits Forward

Revenue Procedure 2014-46 provides the 2014 monthly national average premium for bronze level coverage for 2014 for use in calculating individual’s maximum individual shared responsibility payment under Section 5000A(c)(1)(B). Document Excerpt  This revenue procedure provides the 2014 monthly national average premium for qualified health plans that have a bronze level of coverage for taxpayers to […]

Notice 2014-42 provides guidance relating to the annual fee imposed on branded prescription drug manufacturers and importers under Section 9008 of the Affordable Care Act. Document Excerpt  This notice provides guidance on the branded prescription drug fee for each fee year related to (1) the submission of Form 8947, “Report of Branded Prescription Drug Information,” […]

Revenue Procedure 2014-41 provides guidance on methods taxpayers may use to resolve the interrelationship between the deduction under Section 162(l) and the premium tax credit under Section 36B.   Document Excerpt This revenue procedure provides guidance that a taxpayer may use to compute the deduction under § 162 of the Internal Revenue Code for health […]

Revenue Procedure 2014-37 provides guidance on the method used to determine the applicable percentage table in Section 36B(b)(3)(A) used to calculate an individual’s premium assistance credit for taxable years after 2014.   Document Excerpt This revenue procedure provides indexing adjustments for certain provisions under sections 36B and 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code. In particular, […]

Issuing its ruling shortly before the Fourth Circuit upheld such subsidies, the DC Circuit holds that the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies may not be extended to those who purchase insurance through a Federal Exchange as the statute provides for such subsidies only when purchased under a state maintained exchange. Document Excerpt We conclude that appellants […]

Concluding that the statute and the legislative history was not clear, the Fourth Circuit upheld the regulatory interpretation allowing subsidies to those who otherwise qualify but who purchase under Federally established exchanges. Document Excerpt It is thus entirely sensible that the IRS would enact the regulations it did, making Chevron deference appropriate. Confronted with the […]

The CMS releases a letter discussing the definition of “state” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act and the impact on Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories. Document Excerpt After a careful review of this situation and the relevant statutory language, HHS has determined that the new provisions of the PHS Act enacted in title […]

The DOL has released Part XX of its Frequently Asked Questions regarding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act specifically discussing dropping or reducing contraceptive coverage. Document Excerpt Q: My closely held for-profit corporation’s health plan will cease providing coverage for some or all contraceptive services mid-plan year. Does this reduction in coverage trigger any […]

Rejecting the analysis of virtually every circuit that has reviewed the issue, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Moench presumption of prudence. Document Excerpt Link Held: ESOP fiduciaries are not entitled to any special presumption ofprudence. Rather, they are subject to the same duty of prudence thatapplies to ERISA fiduciaries in general, §1104(a)(1)(B), except that […]

HHS, DOL and Treasury have issued final regulations on the Affordable Care Act’s 90 day Waiting Period. Document Excerpt These final regulations clarify the maximum allowed length of any reasonable and bona fide employment-based orientation period, consistent with the 90-day waiting period limitation set forth in section 2708 of the Public Health Service Act, as […]

The DOL has released an updated Model COBRA General Notice. Document Excerpt   The Department of Labor has developed a model Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) continuation coverage general notice that plans may use to provide the election notice.  To use this model election notice properly, the Plan Administrator must fill in […]

The DOL has released an updated Model COBRA Election Notice.   Document Excerpt The Department of Labor has developed a model Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) continuation coverage election notice that the Plan may use to provide the election notice.  To use this model election notice properly, the Plan Administrator must fill […]

The PBGC has announced a moratorium on ERISA Section 4062(e) enforcement. Document Excerpt WASHINGTON — Today the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced a moratorium, until the end of 2014, on the enforcement of 4062(e) cases. The moratorium will enable PBGC to ensure that its efforts are targeted to cases where pensions are genuinely at risk. […]

The PBGC has published the lump sum rate applicable for July. Document Excerpt The immediate interest rate for valuing lump sum payments for the month of July 2014 is 1.25% and the deferred interest rate I1 is 4.00%, I2 is 4.00%, and I3 is 4.00%. (The immediate interest rate for June 2014 was 1.25% for […]

The PBGC has released its final regulations governing the valuation and notice requirements for multiemployer plans. Document Excerpt This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) multiemployer regulations to make the provision of information to PBGC and plan participants more efficient and effective and to reduce burden on plans and sponsors. The amendments […]

The PBGC releases the June lump sum interest rates. Document Excerpt The immediate interest rate for valuing lump sum payments for the month of June 2014 is 1.25% and the deferred interest rate I1 is 4.00%, I2 is 4.00%, and I3 is 4.00%. (The immediate interest rate for May 2014 was 1.50% for lump sum […]

  The PBGC has recognized disaster relief for affected plans in parts of Florida.   Document Excerpt Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) is waiving certain penalties and extending certain deadlines in response to the Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding that began on April 28, 2014, in Florida.     Link   http://www.pbgc.gov/res/other-guidance/dr/dr14-05.html

The PBGC releases its final regulations on various PPA ’06 changes including the phase in period for guaranteed benefits that are contingent on the occurrence of an unpredictable contingent event. Document Excerpt This final rule amends PBGC’s regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans, which sets forth rules on PBGC’s guarantee of pension plan […]

Issuing its ruling shortly before the Fourth Circuit upheld such subsidies, the DC Circuit holds that the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies may not be extended to those who purchase insurance through a Federal Exchange as the statute provides for such subsidies only when purchased under a state maintained exchange. Document Excerpt We conclude that appellants […]

Concluding that the statute and the legislative history was not clear, the Fourth Circuit upheld the regulatory interpretation allowing subsidies to those who otherwise qualify but who purchase under Federally established exchanges. Document Excerpt It is thus entirely sensible that the IRS would enact the regulations it did, making Chevron deference appropriate. Confronted with the […]

The CMS releases a letter discussing the definition of “state” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act and the impact on Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories. Document Excerpt After a careful review of this situation and the relevant statutory language, HHS has determined that the new provisions of the PHS Act enacted in title […]

  In an effort to simplify and avoid some of the turmoil that met its initial enrollment period, HHS has announced a method by which current Marketplace participants may be automatically reenrolled in their current plan for 2015.   Document Excerpt Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expects to announce its […]

Rejecting the analysis of virtually every circuit that has reviewed the issue, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Moench presumption of prudence. Document Excerpt Link Held: ESOP fiduciaries are not entitled to any special presumption ofprudence. Rather, they are subject to the same duty of prudence thatapplies to ERISA fiduciaries in general, §1104(a)(1)(B), except that […]

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that inherited IRAs are not retirement funds for purposes of the bankruptcy exemption. Document Excerpt   Link http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-299_mjn0.pdf