“Stimulus Package” Imposes Significant New Continuation Coverage Responsibilities on Employers – Effective Immediately The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”), signed into law on February 17, 2009,…

Bailout – Benefits Style: Last minute guidance from the IRS December 19, 2008 403(b) Plan Final Regulations – Partial and Temporary Relief (IRS Notice 2009-3). IRS Final Regulations, including the…

June 3, 2008 Congress Passes Legislation Affecting Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) On May 22, 2008, Congress passed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (the “Act”). …

Attention Group Health Plans: CMS-Reporting Requirements November 13, 2008 At the end of last year, Congress enacted Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (“MMSEA”),…

NEW LAW AMENDS FEDERAL DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT November 3, 2008 – Third Time’s the Charm? Definition of Dependent Amended Again President Bush recently signed new legislation, known as the Fostering…

IRS Reverses Course on Special Rules Applicable to Determination of Dependent Status in Cases of Divorce and Separation August 25, 2008 On August 5, 2008, we issued a Client Alert…

Important:  On August 5, 2008, we issued the below Client Alert which highlights an important clarification contained in the final regulations regarding application of a special rule that created an…

IRS Increases Mileage Rates July 1, 2008 The Internal Revenue Service recently announced an increase in some of the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008.…

June 26, 2008 New law impacting 403(b) plans sponsored by Minnesota school districts. What We Already Know.  On July 23, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued the final 403(b)…

May 13, 2008 Recent Developments Regarding HSAs, Cafeteria Plans, and Retiree Medical Benefits HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS Three recent developments have occurred regarding HSAs: Final regulations were issued regarding failure to…