Today's Update

IRS Guidance

Updated Guidance on Corporate Bond Interest Rates and Permissible Range

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).

Interim Final Rule on Mental Health Parity Act

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

Request for Information Regarding Use of Annuities in DC Plans

 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’’) [...]

Guidance On HEART Act

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

January Employee Plans News

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

Correction of 409A Document Failures

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.

DOL Guidance

DOL Updates FAQs on Schedule C

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

Interim Final Rule on Mental Health Parity Act

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

Request for Information Regarding Use of Annuities in DC Plans

 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’’) [...]

DOL To Expand Regulatory Definition of Fiduciary

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 Participant Contribution Safe Harbor for Small Plans

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

Updated COBRA Model Notice

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.

PBGC Guidance

Immediate Lump Sum Interest Rate for January

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

PBGC Announces Lump Sum Interest Rate for January

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

Reportable Events and Form 200; Draft Information Requirements

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.

Proposed Reportable Events Rule

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

Draft Information Requirements in connection with Pending Reportable Event Proposed Rule

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.

PBGC Publishes Flat Rate Premium Notice

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.

Articles, White Papers & Other Information

New York State Mini-COBRA Extended to 36 Months; Other State Mini-COBRA Laws

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

Article by Benefits Attorney Charles Shulman on COBRA Extension

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.

Bill Introduced In Congress would Prohibit Cross Testing

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

CBO’s Analysis of Senate Health Bill on Premiums

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.

Withdrawal of Investment Advice Regulations; Other Pending DOL Regulations

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.

PPA & WRERA QUALIFIED PLAN GUIDANCE – ACTION ITEMS FOR 2009

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.

About Us

Benefits Forward is a news site for professionals in the field of employment benefits. Our goal is to provide the latest information about the benefits field and to host a community discussion regarding related issues.

Seminars, Conferences & Other Events

  • Sorry, there are no articles in this category.

Sign Up

Enjoy the information on our site? Join the community and become a contributor - it's easy and free. Register today!

How To Post

Already a member but need help posting? Click here for instructions.