Employer Drug and Alcohol Policies
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CANADA
Pension/Retirement
Pension systems have improved but there’s more to be done
WealthProfessional.ca – Dec 03, 2018
Pension systems across the OECD member nations including Canada have improved in their financial stability; but they now need to ensure people have an adequate retirement income. Canada ranks 6th among OECD nations for the share of earnings an individual average worker…
Feds consulting on pension deficits and insolvency
Advisor.ca – Nov 30, 2018
The federal government is asking Canadians to weigh in on a consultation paper that tackles issues related to underfunding, insolvency and pension plans. The topics open for comment include dividend payments, share redemptions and executive compensation packages…
Other Benefits/HR
Comprehensive drug, alcohol policy serves employers best
Advocate Daily – Dec 03, 2018
Employers should ensure they have an effective, realistic drug and alcohol policy rather than trying to create one specifically for cannabis. Many organizations have reacted to cannabis legalization by considering a distinct policy to address the new law…
U.S. HEALTH CARE
Can Better Cancer Care Lower Company’s Health Costs?
US News & World Report – Dec 03, 2018
Cancer is one of the most expensive conditions to treat, driving about 20 percent of a company’s healthcare spend. Rather than focus on the big picture of cutting costs, some companies are designing benefits that specifically target certain conditions.
IRS Extends Deadline for Furnishing Statements and Good-Faith Transition Relief
Employee Benefits Blog – Nov 30, 2018
On November 29, the IRS released Notice 2018-94 extending the due date for furnishing to individuals the 2018 Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, and the 2018 Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage from January 31, 2019 to March 4, 2019.
U.S. PENSION / RETIREMENT
9 Issues 401ks May Face in 2019—And What to Do About Them
401KSpecialistMag.com – Nov 30, 2018
Advisors, sponsors and participants, lookout. In an era when Americans are responsible for securing their own retirement through the 401k and similar plans, there are inherent risks involved. But plan sponsors can utilize targeted analytics to assess which workers are inadequately prepared and develop strategies to improve retirement readiness.
Missing Deadline, Joint Committee Continues Work on Multiemployer Pension Crisis
PLANSPONSOR.com – Nov 30, 2018
Senators and co-chairmen Orrin Hatch and Sherrod Brown said they missed their stated deadline for voting on a package of solutions, but the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans will continue its work during the new session of Congress.
U.S. OTHER BENEFITS / HR ISSUES
Association Health and Retirement Plans Explained
International Foundation Word On Benefits – Dec 3, 2018
Association health and retirement plans, or multiple employer plans (MEPs), expand health and retirement benefit coverage for workers.
More employers promote college savings plans; 529s are becoming part of company’s benefits
USA Today – Dec 03, 2018
The last place many parents would look for ideas on how to save money for college is their workplace. After all, connecting with a 529 college savings plan is not exactly your typical job perk. But more employers are weaving financial wellness into the company culture…
More pay? Employees prefer benefits
Employee Benefit Adviser – Dec 03, 2018
Workers across the country say you can’t put a price on great benefits. The American Institute of CPAs released their report finding by a four to one margin (80% to 20%) that workers would choose a job with benefits over an identical job that offered 30% more salary with no benefits.
New tax credit for paid family and medical leave
Journal of Accountancy – Dec 01, 2018
A new tax credit intended to help businesses reduce their taxes while an employee is on paid leave from his or her job duties due to specified reasons was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), P.L. 115-97. Sec. 45S provides a general business credit (under Sec. 38) for employers…
Maximizing Motivation: Why Well-Intentioned Incentive Programs Don’t Work and How to Improve Them
Sales and Marketing Magazine – Dec 03, 2018
Several years ago, a company came up with a creative way to recognize its top performing employees. Through a nomination process, a select group of high achievers would be given a couple of days off from their normal jobs, flown to a nice venue, and asked to participate…
INTERNATIONAL
United Kingdom
Prepaid cards and incentives – the benefits to your business
Employee Benefits.co.uk – Dec 03, 2018
Want to reward your employees but not sure of what to do? While we are often warned not to use money as a reward, in some instances it’s a useful and effective option – for brand visibility and to add value to your staff incentive scheme.
See all your pensions in one place using new phone app
The Sunday Telegraph (London) – Dec 02, 2018
Savers will be able to check the value of all their pensions in one place for the first time via a smartphone app under a new Government scheme. The free “pensions dashboard” apps will allow people to easily access the information from multiple pension schemes in one place online, the Government has said.