January 22, 2009 12pm - 1:00pm

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Estate Planning for Benefits

TBD

 

October 29, 2008 12pm - 1:00pm

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Same Sex Benefits – Domestic Partnerships

The landscape of rights to employee benefits and resulting tax treatment afforded to same-sex couples and other “domestic partners” has changed dramatically over the last few years and seems certain to continue to evolve. States such as California and even some cities have adopted “domestic partner” and “civil union” measures designed to insure treatment of parties to these relationships in the same manner as spouses.  Further complicating the picture, in May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples may no longer be excluded from civil marriage. The ever-changing rights afforded to same-sex couples and other “domestic partners” presents a host of challenging issues to benefit plan sponsors and an absolute morass for multi-state employers. 

 

This webinar identifies the benefit challenges caused by current laws regarding same-sex marriage and offers real world solutions to complex compliance problems. Our speakers will provide guidance on defining eligibility and coverage for same-sex couples and will explore restrictions and opportunities for extending the tax-advantaged treatment and the protections of retirement plans, health coverage, and other employee benefits.

 

Speakers:  Connie Hiatt has over 20 years experience as an attorney specializing in  employee benefits and executive compensation.  Prior to joining Altman & Cronin, Connie was the head of the employee benefits group at the law firm of Hanson Bridgett.  Connie has diverse experience in the benefits area including extensive experience in the design and implementation of pension and profit sharing plans (and related compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA), executive compensation, sales and acquisitions of businesses, public pension plans, and health and welfare plans.  Connie is a frequent speaker and author on employee benefit matters and executive compensation matters.  Connie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her law degree from the College of William and Mary.

 

Tonie L. Bitseff is an attorney with Thelen LLP in San Francisco.  She works in the firm's Compensation and Benefits department, where she focuses her practice in the areas of ERISA, pension and welfare benefits, compensation, and taxation. She provides representation and counsel to ERISA plans and employers regarding health benefits, welfare benefits, pension plans, and other employee benefits.  Tonie is a graduate of the University of Washington, and earned law degrees from the Seattle University School of Law (J.D. magna cum laude) and University of Washington School of Law (LL.M.)  A frequent speaker on employee benefit topics, Tonie specializes is Welfare, 401(k), defined benefit and cafeteria plan drafting, implementation and amendment.  Her areas of expertise include WFTRA, domestic partner coverage, and other issues regarding dependent coverage.

Past Webinars:

February 19, 2008 12pm - 1:30pm

Click here to download the powerpoint presentation

Major changes on the horizon for 403(b) plans…..  Not-for-profit organizations need to be ready!

In July of 2007, the first comprehensive 403(b) regulation changes in over forty years were passed.  This has the potential to considerably increase the administrative challenges 403(b) plan sponsors face today.  Attend this webinar to learn;

·  The intent of the regulations

·  What additional compliance will apply to 501(c)(3) organizations

·  What the effective dates are for these changes

·  How to better prepare yourself (or your clients) to comply with the new regulations

Bio:  R. Scott Harrison Jr., QKA, AIF, Regional Sales Dir.

AUL Retirement Services, a OneAmerica Financial Partner

Scott is a Retirement Plan Consultant specializing in employer sponsored 403(b), 457(b), and 401(k) plans. 

Covering the Southern California region, Scott joined AUL in 1999.  Scott is a 16-year veteran of the defined contribution industry, beginning his career in 1992 with a Third Party Administrator in San Diego, California.  He holds the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIFâ) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies.  His licenses include the Series 7, Series 63, and Life & Disability.  Scott is a graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Real Estate.

In addition to being a member of ASPPA, he is a member of the Western Pension & Benefits Conference (WPBC).  Both the organizations offer programs of continuing education for qualified plan consultants.

 

October 4, 2007 12pm - 1:30pm

Click here to download the powerpoint presentation

Deferred Compensation Plans and the Final Section 409A Regulations

Mr. Swift will walk through the important differences between the final regulations issued under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the 409A proposed regulations.  In addition, he will discuss the impact these final regulations will have on various employer-sponsored compensation arrangements as well as navigate you through the major exceptions, corrections and application of Section 409A.   Mr. Swift recently presented on this topic at the 2007 Western Benefits Conference in San Francisco.

Bio:  Marvin S. Swift, Jr., Esq.
Snell & Wilmer, LLP

Marvin is a partner at Snell & Wilmer, LLP in the Phoenix Office of the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group.  Marvin joined the firm in 1992 and prior to joining the firm he practiced in the Washington DC office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.  Marvin’s practice focuses exclusively on counseling employers (including tax-exempt employers) in all aspects of employee benefits matters.  His specialty within the Group is in the area of executive compensation and includes:  counseling employers in tax, securities, and accounting issues related to various equity-based compensation arrangements; designing and advising employers and executives regarding executive employment, bonus, severance, change in control, and consulting agreements; and designing and advising employers regarding issues related to nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, including the impact of Section 409A, ERISA and securities law considerations.

Mr. Swift is a graduate of the TC Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond where he served as the associate editor of the Law Review and graduated with honors.  He is a frequent lecturer and has authored many articles on employee benefits issues.