Thursday Morning -- ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans

Summary plan descriptions, fiduciary liability, Form 5500, and more!

“Your speaker clearly knows the subject—the sessions were fast-paced and full of useful information.”

8:00 a.m.

What Law Applies? When does ERISA apply and when does state law apply?
Fringe Benefits Subject to ERISA. Are you offering ERISA benefits without knowing it? When are “voluntary” benefits subject to ERISA? What plans and benefits are exempt?
Plan Documents and SPDs. Writing the plan document (eligibility, benefits, specifying how many plans, bundling benefits or plans, special issues for insured plans, etc.) and preparing the SPD and SMMs (required content and distribution). Penalties for failure to provide documents.

Plan Administration and Fiduciary Duties. Who’s a fiduciary and what does it mean to be a fiduciary? Issues for service providers and employers to consider in outsourcing plan administration.
Claims Disputes. How to deny a claim the right way and handle an appeal properly. Why the standard of review is important, and what provisions can protect the plan.
How Plans Pay Benefits and Why It Matters. Overview of the exclusive benefit rule and the trust account requirement. Effect of participant contributions on plan administration and legal requirements.
Form 5500 Requirements. Do you have to file a Form 5500? How many and what Schedules? Effect of plan size and method of paying benefits.
Recordkeeping and Other Disclosure Requirements. Content of the summary annual report and how long to retain records.