Dec. 31 deadline for severance pay provisions in employment agreements to comply with Section 409a *

USA - October 11 2012
Many employment agreements, especially those for high-level executives, provide severance pay upon a change in control or a termination without cause, but only if the employee signs a release of claims.

Co-authors: Stuart Harris, Mary E. Drobka.

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How do non-calendar year cafeteria plans comply with the $2,500 health FSA limit? *

USA - May 24 2012
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, health care reform imposes a new $2,500 limit on annual contributions to a health care flexible spending arrangement (“Health FSA”).

Co-authors: Kim Kaald, Dipa N. Sudra.

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DOL issues final retirement plan fee disclosure rule *

USA - March 15 2012
Now that the Department of Labor has released final regulations regarding required plan fee disclosures, plan administrators can expect assistance from service providers in preparing the required fee disclosures to plan participants.

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New Roth contribution and conversion rules present a timely opportunity *

USA - October 27 2010
Beginning in 2010, the income limit that previously prevented taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $100,000 from converting to a Roth IRA is eliminated.

Co-authors: Richard J. Birmingham.

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Health care reform: new guidance on claims and appeals procedures for group health plans *

USA - August 23 2010
On July 22, 2010, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services jointly released interim final regulations regarding new requirements for the internal claims and appeals procedures for group health plans, and a new requirement for an external appeals process.

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