February 2010 | www.buckconsultants.com

Recovery, Restoration, and Retention – 2010 Compensation Trends
This survey confirms the critical workforce decisions organizations have made and are now in the process of implementing. Information from this report will be useful for monitoring and adjusting employee compensation programs and labor costs, particularly as the economy continues to show signs of improvement. Click here to download a complimentary copy of the survey report.

The Greening of the American Workplace 2009
Buck’s second annual green survey examines the types of green processes, policies, and programs that organizations are implementing to manage environmental and operational issues. Click here to purchase a copy of the survey report.

Retirement Plan Changes in a Period of Economic Uncertainty Survey
This survey analyzes changes contemplated or made during 2009 to retirement plans in response to the economic uncertainty. Questions covered both defined benefit and defined contribution plan changes, redesigns, and communication methods for three employee types: salaried, hourly union, and hourly non-union. Click here to purchase a copy of the survey report.

IRS Issues Final Regulations on 204(h) Notices
The IRS recently issued final regulations on the notice requirements for amendments that would significantly reduce the future rate of benefit accruals in a qualified pension plan. The regulations clarify when notices are required in light of changes made by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), provide rules on timing for retroactive amendments, and coordinate the requirements for these notices with other statutory notice requirements. Read more ...

DOL Issues Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Extension
The DOL released model notices that can be used to satisfy new notice requirements arising from the extension of the COBRA subsidy that was enacted late last year. Read more …

New York DOL Issues Model Notices for New Hires
New York state law now requires employers to provide all newly hired employees written notice of their pay rate, overtime rate (if applicable), and regular payday. Recently, the New York State DOL issued guidelines, instructions, and model notices for common types of compensation arrangements. Read more …

Deadline Approaches for Submission of Creditable Coverage Disclosures to CMS
Group health plan sponsors that provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare Part D-eligible individuals must annually disclose to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether such coverage qualifies as creditable or non-creditable. All plan sponsors that provide prescription drug coverage are required to make this disclosure, even if they do not make coverage available to retirees. Calendar year plans must submit this year’s disclosure to CMS by March 1, 2010. Read more …