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Special Section on Public Employee Benefits
GASB Proposes New Standards to Improve the Financial Reporting of Postemployment Benefits by State and Local Governments 
by Karl D. Johnson
New standards will affect the way in which governments report postemployment health care benefits in audited external financial statements, resulting in more complete and transparent reporting by employers and plans and more relevant and useful information for the users of governmental financial reports.
Dealing With the Prescription Drug Dilemma
by Felice B. Joseph
When the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency saw 20% increases in drug spend, they formed a coalition with several other states and negotiated a contract with a new PBM that may save $25 million over three years.
Emerging Trends in Corporate Engagement by Public Pension Funds
by Tessa Hebb
U.S. pension funds are valued at $7.4 trillion, and Canada 's at Can$600 billion. Using ownership of pension funds to influence company management (corporate engagement) is a new force, shifting control from firm level managers to owners. Pension funds must require increased firm level transparency, accountability and higher social and environmental standards.
Special Section on Investments
Sustainable Development Investing
by Brian A. Schofield and Blair W. Feltmate
Sustainable development refers to companies that are committed to minimizing environmental disruption while contributing to the economic and social advancement of the communities in which they operate. Governments should draw a parallel between sustainable development and good governance.
Prudence and Diversification Revisited-ERISA Section 404(c) Protection in the Wake of Enron
by Kathleen Sheil Scheidt and David L. Wolfe
A sponsor of a defined contribution individual account plan that allows participant-directed investments and fully complies with ERISA Section 404(c) should have a strong defense to participant claims stemming from poor investment performance.
General Articles
Enforcing Interest and Liquidated Damage Penalties
by Philip R. O'Brien
For many years, multiemployer funds have been frustrated by the fact that delinquent employers have avoided interest and liquidated damage penalties by "beating the funds to the courthouse door." But with a recent ruling by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the trend is clear that with a well-crafted fund trust document, these employers cannot escape such penalties.
Rebuilding Credibility-A Look at the Accounting Industry
by Lawrence R. Beebe
Following generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), especially the standard of independence; improved retirement plan administration and diversification; better education of plan participants; and recently-enacted legislation, such as the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002, are among the strategies to rebuild credibility post-Enron.
Designing Your Health Benefit Plan
by Laird L. Miller and Joanne E. Miller
Analyze current demographic, utilization and other data to determine which services members and their families are using and what type of services may be needed in the future.
COBRA Compliance: How Employers Can Successfully Meet Today's Complexities
by Jim Trimble
COBRA assists employees that lose their jobs by allowing them to purchase insurance benefits from their former employer. Outsourcing COBRA administration can be the best way for some employers to cope with COBRA complexities.
HIPAA Privacy Rules and Compliance With Federal and State Employment Laws: The Participant Authorization Form
by Joseph A. Brislin
HIPAA privacy regulations overlap with federal and state employment laws, and liabilities for breach of confidentiality can be substantial. Employers can use a participant's authorization form to comply with employment laws and company policies.
Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information in Employee Benefit Plans
by Karen Spector
The United States is not the only country dealing with privacy of health information. In the absence of clear legislative direction, this paper focuses on the common privacy principles that underlie Canadian privacy legislation and recommends a plan of action.
Pay Gap Develops Over Time Between Compensation and Benefits Professionals
by Joe Vocino
A new International Foundation survey analysis shows that, from the management level and upward, pay for compensation professionals exceeds that of benefits professionals. Benefits professionals should quantify and communicate the value they deliver to their organizations.
Current Literature