The DOL has begun to audit PPACA compliance, is your plan ready?
Continue Reading The DOL Has Started Auditing Group Health Plans for PPACA, as well as GINA and Wellness Program Compliance
ERISA Plan Administration
Proposed Wellness Regulations Would Raise Maximum Rewards, Among Other Changes
Federal agencies (IRS/HHS/DOL) issue proposed regulations concerning wellness programs…
Continue Reading Proposed Wellness Regulations Would Raise Maximum Rewards, Among Other Changes
DOL Modifies Position on Fee Disclosures of Investments Available Through Brokerage Windows
On July 30, 2012, the Department of Labor issued FAB 2012-02R as a revised version of FAB 2012-02 (issued May 7, 2012), which supplements the participant-level fee disclosure regulation and how it may be implemented. (See our prior post regarding FAB 2012-02.)
Q&A 30 of FAB 2012-02 generated significant controversy as it appeared to introduce…
Retirement Plan Disclosure Requirements – Next Steps
Now that the July 1, 2012 deadline has passed for ERISA “covered service providers” to inform “responsible plan fiduciaries” about the services performed for their retirement plans and the investment management, recordkeeping, and other fees charged to those plans, it is time for employers and other plan fiduciaries to take action.
First, plan fiduciaries must…
Additional Guidance on Fee Disclosures
On May 7, 2012, the DOL published Field Assistance Bulletin 2012-02 (the “FAB”) providing additional guidance and clarification for employers and other plan fiduciaries regarding the participant-level fee disclosure regulation (29 CFR 2550.404a-5) applicable to participant-directed individual account plans (e.g., 401(k) and 403(b) plans; see our earlier article regarding these regulations). The FAB is also…
Fee Disclosures to Participants in 401(k) and 403(b) Plans) Due By August 30, 2012
Under Department of Labor Regulations, plan administrators of individual account plans such as 401(k) plans and most 403(b) plans must provide all participants who are eligible to direct investments in the plan with certain investment and fee information (see http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fsparticipantfeerule.html for more information). The plan administrator is the employer sponsoring the plan unless the employer …
New Rules Require Health Plans to Cover Women’s Contraception
Group health plans that are not grandfathered under the 2010 health care reform law (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010) must provide women’s contraception without cost-sharing beginning with the first plan year that starts on or after August 1, 2012. The three agencies…
What Does NY’s Marriage Equality Act Mean to Employers?
Under the New York State Marriage Equality Act enacted June 24, 2011, and effective July 24, 2011, New York recognizes as valid any otherwise valid marriage regardless of whether the marital partners are of the same or opposite sex. There is an exception for religious organizations. In general, the new law does not require such organizations…
DOL to Revisit Rules for Delivering Summary Plan Descriptions and Other ERISA Documents
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced it is reviewing the use of electronic media by employee benefit plans subject to ERISA to furnish information to participants and beneficiaries, following and in response to Executive Order 13563 issued by President Obama to address and improve current regulations. If you have concerns about the current process, now…