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Special Section on Multiemployer Plans
The Funded Position of Multiemployer Pension Plans 
by Susan E. Lee
A variety of forces have combined to cause concern about the funded position of many multiemployer plans. To fulfill their fiduciary obligations, plan trustees must take a comprehensive approach to address the issues, from the operational level to reexamining fundamental fund policies.
Withdrawal Liability: It's B-a-a-a-ck!
by Rory Judd Albert and Jeffrey Ross
Employers and trustees need to be more informed about the critical issue of withdrawal liability. This article is a primer or "brush-up course" on the most significant fundamental rules related to withdrawal liability.
Financial Liability for the Troubled Multiemployer Pension Plan
by George M. Kraw, CEBS, and Jacqueline Asher Kelly
Multiemployer pension plans are subject to liabilities imposed by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, including excise tax; withdrawal liability; and continuing financial responsibilities upon plan termination, reorganization or insolvency.
Withdrawal Liability: To Whom It Attaches and From Whom to Collect It
by Mark H. Lipton
The Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act protects retirement benefits of covered employees by mandating employers that withdraw from multiemployer funds be charged a withdrawal liability for unfunded vested pension benefits.
A 401(k) Plan for Your Local's Benefit Program: Case Study
by Edwin F. Paulsen Sr. and Gary Anderson
When Pipefitters Local Union 597 members in Chicago asked for another vehicle for saving for retirement, union officials implemented a 401(k) plan, which includes salary deferral agreement forms in coupon format.
Special Section on Public Employee Benefits
COBRA for State and Local Governmental Plans
by Alan B. Cabral
This article summarizes the statutory requirements for COBRA continuation coverage under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and notes where those requirements differ from those under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code.
New York State's Solution to Rising WC Prescription Drug Costs: ONECARD Rx
by Shadi Saleh and Stephanie Tullis-Washington
Double-digit increases in workers' compensation medical costs are back. This article is a summary of New York State government's integrated workers' compensation/ health insurance pharmacy benefit program, ONECARD Rx.
Public Sector Health Insurance Trusts
by Patrick N. Renaud and Albert C. Jones
Public sector associations have successfully developed and run employee health insurance pools for almost 30 years. This article looks at the models, technical tools and governance philosophy that have contributed to their success.
General Articles
Fraud and Fiduciary Liability
by Brian Ray Hodge
All employee benefit plans are potential targets of fraudulent schemes. Plan trustees, administrators and consultants should be alert to the many ways fraudulent schemes manifest themselves and to the legal remedies available.
Retirements at Risk: Employees Lack a Comprehensive, Realistic View of Resources and Needs
by Michael L. Young, Cyndi Gibson and Shem Asefaw
Employees who are following conventional retirement-planning advice will be in for a rude awakening as they discover that they canÕt afford to retire just yet or are likely to outlive their retirement funds. This article discusses how we have arrived at this point, and what both employers and employees can do to remedy the situation.
Practical Steps to Controlling Medical Costs
by Joseph Marlowe
Some costs are beyond plan sponsors' control. But plan sponsors can reduce this annual medical trend by taking control of the high-cost drivers of medical expenses.
Mixed Messages: Few Pay Freezes, but Continued Low Pay Increases for 2004
by Steven E. Gross and Stephanie Penner
A special report to the International Foundation examines compensation planning trends by eography and sector. This article will review all of these pay trends.
Importing Prescription Drugs: Risky Business
by Lonie Hassel and Patricia Arzuaga
This article outlines the regulatory framework governing importation of prescription drugs from foreign countries, additional concerns raised by the fiduciary requirements of ERISA, and significant legislative proposals in Congress.
The Basics of Asset Allocation
by Dion Woods
Asset allocation is to investing what location is to real estate. Define your investment goals and choose assets accordingly.
Compensation Quarterly
Current Literature