Week ending May 20th, 2016 While we at PLANSPONSOR are focused on employer-sponsored retirement plan industry news, we often cover topics related to health benefits. Health benefits and retirement plans compete for employer budget allocations, and with the decrease in retiree health benefit offerings, as well as the exponential rise in health care cost, employees need to factor paying for health care in retirement planning. This week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission finalized rules related to employer wellness programs, used in part to reduce employer health costs, Mercer partnered with another firm for solutions to help reduce employer health spend, and a new study found retirement health care costs could top $375K. In other news, we learned employers don’t hate all of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, we received final rules for allocating Roth distributions and we learned of another retirement plan fee suit. Enjoy this edition of PLANSPONSOR Weekend!
Editor's choice Compliance EEOC Announces Final Rules for Wellness Programs The two rules are designed to protect employees’ confidentiality and ensure that workplace wellness programs promote good health.Read more > Compliance Final Wellness Program Rules Provide Clarification and Simplification Several provisions of the final rules are similar to those of the proposed rules.Read more > Products Firms Partner to Help Employers Reduce Medical Spend The alliance brings together Mercer’s health benefits consulting capabilities with the Grand Rounds care team.Read more > Data and Research Retirement Health Care Costs Could Top $375K Even those who have met their 80% income replacement goal will need more to cover all health care expenses, a study finds.Read more > Administration Borrowing to Fund Is a De-Risking Strategy for DB Plans The combination of increasing annual PBGC premiums and the low rate environment make borrowing to fund a very attractive potential opportunity for plan sponsors.Read more > Share the good news with a friend! Pass the NewsDash along—and tell your friends/associates they can sign up for their own copy.Read more >
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