Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Moody’s: Interest Rate Hike Could Lift Pensions to Full Funding by 2018

The first of what is expected to be a series of interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve on Dec. 16 should start to help defined benefit retirement plans recover from years of underfunding, Moody’s Investor Service said in a report Dec. 14. Pension funding levels for about 670 rated U.S. non-financial corporate pension […]

Ask the Expert: Offer Letter for Salaried Employee

I am preparing an offer letter for an exempt position who is working at 80%. Can you let me know if this language is OK?: “In this exempt position, you will be working at a reduced capacity of 80% and your compensation will be $XXX,000.00 annually, payable bi-weekly.”

CEOs Expect Modest Increase in Median Total Cash Compensation

CEOs of privately held companies received a median total compensation package of $360,000 in 2014, including base salary, bonus, benefits, new equity grants, and equity gains, and expect total cash compensation to increase 3.1% this year, according to Chief Executive Research’s latest CEO and Senior Executive Compensation Report for Private Companies.

Wellness—A Great Holiday Gift for Your Employees

The month and a half leading up to New Year’s is full of joy and celebration. But from stress and germs to distraction and overindulgence, it’s also fraught with hazards that can leave your employees ill, injured, or dispirited. Be sure that wellness at your company doesn’t fall by the wayside during the fun! Although […]

Recover Health Plan Costs Even With a Worst-case SCOTUS Ruling

By Roy Harmon III Several outcomes in an upcoming Supreme Court decision on the extent of health plan subrogation and reimbursement rights could make life more difficult for plans. One outcome in Montanile v. Bd. of Trs. National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan would erode health plans’ lien rights if they fail to expeditiously pursue […]

Ask the Expert: Can We Require Employee to Reimburse FSA?

We have an employee that used more than contributed in her FSA while she was on a FMLA then personal leave. The plan year is over. The employee is now back. Can we ask her to contribute the balance at this point? I know we can’t make this request upon a termination but what about […]