The Department of Health and Human Services, along with other government Agencies, continues to provide guidance regarding how and when both insured and self-insured health plans can keep their "grandfathered" status. Employers may keep their existing plans, provided those plans were in place on March 23, 2010, while providing new benefits required under the reform measures. However, plans will lose this "grandfather" status if they choose to significantly cut benefits or increase out-of-pocket spending for their employees. Further, employees participating in plans that make such changes will gain new consumer protections.

Join us on June 3rd from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to network with 400+ CEOs and HR professionals as we recognize the following finalists for their passion and commitment to employee development.

In 1998, Edelman PR had about 1,300 employees, voluntary turnover was roughly 40 percent and its 'sweat shop' reputation plagued them. Exit interviews indicated that the single biggest cause of turnover was lack of mentoring, coaching and training.

Employers who hire unemployed workers this year (after Feb. 3, 2010 and before Jan. 1, 2011) may qualify for a 6.2-percent payroll tax incentive, in effect exempting them from their share of Social Security taxes on wages paid to these workers after March 18, 2010. This reduced tax withholding will have no effect on the employee’s future Social Security benefits, and employers would still need to withhold the employee’s 6.2-percent share of Social Security taxes, as well as income taxes. The employer and employee’s shares of Medicare taxes would also still apply to these wages. Click here for information regarding "qualified employees".

By: Gordon J. Bernhardt, CPA, PFS, CFP®, AIF®