The Benefits InfoSource newsletter is designed to highlight various employee benefit matters of general interest to our readers.

This newsletter is available in a format called PDF, or Portable Document Format. This allows the document to be viewed as originally intended regardless of computer platform. All that is needed is the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, please take a minute to visit the Adobe site to download it by clicking on the logo below. Once installed, you'll be able to read all web and non-web based PDF documents.

December 2002
A Year-End Look at Changes to Retirement Plan Rules.
                 Salary Reduction Elections.
                 Catch-Up Contributions.
                 Safe Harbor Plans.
                 Notice of Amendment Reducing Future Accruals.
                 Notice of Blackout Periods.
                 Deemed IRAs May be Offered Starting in 2003.
                 New Minimum Distribution Requirements Effective for 2003.
                 IRS Extends GUST Remedial Amendment Period.
                 VFC Program Extends Relief to Late Deposit of Loan Repayments.
IRS Expands Requirements for QJSA Disclosure.
Investment Fundamentals: Diversification Reduces Risk.
A Year-End Look at Changes to Welfare Benefit Rules.
                 IRS Suspends Form 5500 Filing for Certain Fringe Benefit Plans.
                 New Claims Procedure Standards Apply.
                 HIPAA Compliance Dates.
Bills Would Allow FSA Carryovers.
IRS Provides Clarification on Transportation Fringe Benefit Plans.

November 2002 - Bulletin
IRS Cost of Living Adjustments for 2003.

November 2002
DOL Issues Rules for Notice of Blackout Periods.
Restrictions on Distributions to Certain HCEs.
Another Pension Reform Bill Sent to House Committee.
The Complex World of Mutual Fund Analysis.
In Brief….
                 Social Security Wage Base Increased.
                 IRS Announces 2003 Plan Limitations.
                 IRS/DOL Target Delinquent Form 5500 Filers.
Sharp Cuts Projected for Retiree Health Programs.
HIPAA Preemption of State Law.
CMS To Enforce HIPAA Transaction and Code Set Standards.
COBRA In Brief…
                 COBRA Participation Declines.
                 COBRA Guidance Due by Year-End.
                 Employer Not TPA Liable for COBRA Notice.
Legislation by Intimidation.

October 2002 - Bulletin
Defined Benefit Plan Additional Minimum Liability May Reduce Shareholder Equity.

September 2002 - Bulletin
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA): Some Reminders

August 2002
Accounting Reform Act Signed into Law.
Pension-related Developments in Brief.
New HIPAA Privacy Rules.
Non-Federal Governmental Plans May Opt Out of HIPAA.
Trade Act of 2002 Provides COBRA Tax Credit and New Election Period.
Legislation Would Restrict Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.
Implications of Accounting Reform Act for Executive Compensation.

July 2002
Putting the Star Back in Morningstar.
Pension Reform Legislation.
IRS Modifies Rules for Notice to Interested Parties.
Money Purchase to Profit Sharing Plan Conversion Does Not Trigger 100% Vesting.
IRS Again Expands Correction Program.
IRS Proposes Changes to 204(h) Notice Rules.
“Health Reimbursement Arrangements” May Revolutionize Healthcare Benefits!
Supreme Court Rules HMO Patients Have Right to Second Opinion.

May/June 2002
Most States Conform Tax Codes to EGTRRA.
The “Whipsaw” Issue in Cash Balance Plans.
IRS Issues Guidance on Leased Employee Plans.
New Claims Rules for Disability Retirement Benefits.
Why Have an Investment Policy Statement?
IRS Issues Additional Guidance for 457 Plans.
HIPAA Will Restrict Employer Access to Health Information.
IRS Approves Automatic Enrollment For Cafeteria Plans.
Helping High Net Worth Clients Achieve “Life Plan” Goals.
Split Dollar Notices Cause Concern and Confusion.

April 2002
DOL Expands Use of Electronic Disclosures.
DOL Reduces Form 5500 Delinquent Filer Penalties.
House Passes Post-Enron Pension Reform Bill.
House Approves Permanent Extension of EGTRRA.
IRS Releases Final Simplified Distribution Rules.
IRS Provides Relief to Plans Maintained by PEOs.
GST Exemption Allocation Rules Change.
IRS Suspends Form 5500 Schedule F Filing Requirements.
IRS Rules FSAs May Reimburse for Weight-Loss Programs.
Section 529 Plans: A Low Cost Fringe Benefit.

March 2002
Economic Stimulus Package Signed into Law.
Technical Tax Corrections to EGTRRA.
Pension Security Act Incorporates Provision for Employer-Provided Investment Advice.
Tax Act Clarifies Adoption Assistance and Dependent Care.
Tax Act Extends Mental Health Parity Provisions.
Pension QDRO Rules Apply to Welfare Plans.
Supreme Court Knocks Down FMLA Notice Rule.
President's Proposed Budget Includes Provision for FSA Carryovers.
Is Life Insurance Relevant Post Estate Tax Repeal?

March 2002 - Bulletin
Economic Stimulus Act Provides Funding Relief For Defined Benefit Plans.

February 2002
Benefits and Reemployment Rights of Employees Called to Active Duty.
Legislation Proposes Change in Assumed Interest Rate for Defined Benefit Plans.
IRS Explains ESOP Dividend Deduction.
Update on State Tax Law Conformity with EGTRRA.
Recent Court Cases Uphold Employer Actions.
         COBRA Notification.
         Court Upholds Benefit Denial Where Employee Failed to Timely Provide Proof of Loss.
         ERISA Preempts Challenge Under State Wage Law.

January 2002
Nonconforming State Income Tax Statutes Complicate EGTRRA Implementation.
IRS Releases Additional EGTRRA Guidance.
Compensation Test to Determine HCE Rises to $90,000.
Rollover Distribution Notice Revised.
Supreme Court Narrows Law on Disabilities.
Conference Committee Rejects Mental Health Parity Bill.
IRS Rules Health “Reimbursement” Plan Taxable.
Supreme Court Considers States’ Right to Mandate Review of Benefit Denial.

Benefits InfoSource is not intended to interpret laws, regulations or to address specific client situations.
Such matters should be referred to your appropriate professional advisors.