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Employer News

It's Official: Agencies Release Final Rules on SBC, GINA, 401(k)s

The federal government has been busy issuing final rules on a number of benefits-related regulations that will directly impact employers.

March Webinar: W-2 Reporting

Learn about the new Form W-2 requirements and how you can prepare for the changes.

In Brief: Union Elections

The NLRB is proposing a series of rules that would change procedures regarding union representation elections.

Employers Go High-Tech with Benefit Information

Employers of all sizes are turning to new technologies to make benefit communications easier and more effective.

Expert: CDHPs Can Succeed with Right Incentives

A little nudge (and maybe some cash) can spur employees to be good health consumers, which can save employers money in the long run, experts say.

Feb. Webinar: Communicating with Benefit Plan Participants in the Digital Age

The February installment of the Employer Webinar Series will explore compliance requirements and challenges of electronic notices for benefit plans.

UBA Webinars

More complex compliance regulations and rapidly shifting benefits programs pose an increasing challenge to employers. UBA Members are committed to delivering knowledge that will help simplify those complicated choices and improve the effectiveness and success of your programs. The Employer Webinar series is an effort to address these needs, by providing in-depth education on a particular topic. Each webinar is organized and conducted by a qualified attorney with our partner firm Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, LLP.

The next webinar is schedule for Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 2 p.m. EST. The webinar is entitled “Tax Implications of Dependent Coverage After Health Care Reform.” A summary of the webinar’s focus, as well as the presenter’s bios listed below. If you are interested in registering for this webinar, please contact Brooke Maedel (brooke@russblaklyassoc.net) for more information.

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, group health plans providing coverage to dependent children are required to make such coverage available until the child's 26th birthday, even if the child can no longer be claimed as the employee's "dependent" for federal income tax purposes. Corresponding changes in the tax treatment of dependent benefits mean that insurers and plan sponsors can make such coverage available on a nontaxable basis. However, lingering questions remain regarding the relationship between the coverage requirement, the tax law and the scope of dependent coverage in general. In this webinar we will discuss the new coverage requirement, the corresponding change in the tax law and the impact of both of these changes on employers sponsoring group health plans, cafeteria plans and health reimbursement arrangements.

PRESENTERS
Julia M. Vander Weele, Partner - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP
Julia practices in the Employee Benefits Group and is a member of the ERISA Litigation Group. Prior to Spencer Fane, Julia was in-house counsel for Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, where she managed ERISA litigation and advised senior management on ERISA issues.
Chadron J. Patton, Associate - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP
Chadron is a member of Spencer Fane's Employee Benefits Group. Chadron received his juris doctor from University of Kansas School of Law, where he completed the Tax Law and Business and Commercial Law certificate programs.

Other webinars that RBA has purchase for review are listed below. To view the webinar recording, you will need to enter a name and e-mail address but there is no cost associated with these recordings.

Health Care Reform: Non-Discrimination Testing and Grandfathering for Insured Health Plans

Participant Notices Required to Administer Employer Health Plans

Spencer Fane was kind enough to supply our clients with a list of the notices that are mentioned in this webinar. Copies of those notices can be found by clicking here.