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In thIs IssueCeBs Online studyCourse CornerCeBs testimonialsJoin the societyWayne Murphy Applauds CeBs Accomplishments33rd Annual IsCeBs symposium in Phoenixemployer-sponsored Medical Clinics: Much More than Convenience Care national employee Benefits Daynew GraduatesWhat’s new Resources for You and Your employerArticles in ReviewCeBs Information
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Published for registrants of the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® program.
CEBS Department | March 2014
sAnDRA L. BeCKeR, CeBs | Director, CeBs/isCeBs
LInDA s. BIeLsKI, CeBs | Director, CeBs Field services
sheRI BeARDen-MILLeR | Manager, instructional services
JAneL hYneK | Administrative Assistant, CeBs Field services
LAuRA J. JesKe, CeBs | Administrator, CeBs operations
eRIKA R. tuRneR, CeBs | Manager, CeBs operations
with the exception of official CeBs announcements, the opinions given in articles are those of the authors.
the international Foundation disclaims responsibility for views expressed and statements made
in articles published.
©2014 international Foundation of employee Benefit Plans, inc. issn: 0895-9226
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newssCoPeC e B s n e w s L e t t e R
March 2014 | Volume XXXii | number 1
International Society President Wayne Murphy
Applauds CEBS Accomplishments
Read success stories of a CEBS student and graduate.
Great news to share about the program!
National Employee Benefits Day—
April 2
Wayne Murphy, CEBS
ISCEBS Fellow
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Meet Larry Morgan CMs 3—executive Compensation Instructor
LARRy MoRGAN, SPHR, MAIR, GPHR President, orion hR Group, LLC st. Paul, Minnesota
Mr. Morgan has 25 years of hR experience with a broad range of in-dustries including retail, high tech, manufacturing, transportation, in-surance, financial services, public sector and not-for-profit organiza-tions. he is the owner of orion hR Group, LLC, an independent consulting organization specializing in the alignment of compensation and benefits programs with business strate-gies. Mr. Morgan is also a community faculty member with Metro state university and As-sistant Professor at st. Mary’s university where he teaches hR Management, hR strategy, compensation and benefits curriculum. Mr. Morgan is a native of the twin Cities with a B.A. degree from Augsburg College and an M.A. degree in industrial Relations from the university of Minnesota.
“The online tools provide flexibility for meeting a variety of schedules. In addition, students are able to review a variety of materials including webcast recordings, instructor lectures, instructor notes, discussion chats with other students and quizzes. I always look forward to discussing organization issues with the students as well as providing them with a platform that allows them to gain the expertise of fellow students. Posting questions 24/7 and get-ting a fast turnaround is also a real benefit of the online courses.”
Larry Morgan
CeBs Online study
If you have ever considered participating in the CEBS online study program, now is a great time to take a look at what we have to offer. By enrolling in an online study class, you’ll have Internet access to your class seven days a week, 24 hours a day, giving you the flexibility to choose when, where and how you want to study.
CEBS online instructors are benefits professionals with real-world experience.
Once you enroll, you will be provided with:• A structured syllabus to guide you through the course information• Supplemental assignment notes that correspond to the readings of the Learning
Guide and textbook• An audio overview of the material for each assignment• Interactive quizzes and learning activities help monitor your progress.• At least one live interactive review session (Most classes include recordings of pre-
viously held review sessions.)• A discussion board to allow you to ask questions of your instructor and interact
with other students• Classes also provide supplemental course information with additional resources
such as current articles and websites.
Summer 2014 Class ScheduleMay 27—August 22GBA 1—Group health Plan DesignGBA 2—Group Benefits ManagementGBA 3— health Care: Financing, Quality
and ReformRPA 1—Retirement Plan DesignRPA 2—Retirement Plan ManagementCMs 1— human Resources and Compensation
Management
Fall 2014 Class Scheduleseptember 2—December 6GBA 1— Group health Plan DesignRPA 1— Retirement Plan DesignRPA 4— Personal wealth ManagementCMs 2— Compensation Concepts and Principles*
september 15—December 19RPA 2— Retirement Plan ManagementCMs 1— human Resources and Compensation
ManagementCMs 3— executive CompensationGBA 2— Group Benefits ManagementGBA 3— health Care: Financing, Quality and
Reform**this course will be using the revised materials.
Enroll Now
newssCOPe | March 2014 | 2
Tools to help advance your career
CEBS Online Study—
Tools to help advance your career
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 3
Fall 2014 Course RevisionsThe following courses are scheduled for revision for fourth quarter 2014 testing. Cur-
rent study materials are valid for exams taken on or before September 30, 2014.GBA 3—Health Care: Financing, Quality and ReformCMS 2—Compensation Concepts and PrinciplesRevised study materials will be available in August 2014. If you have the current study
materials for any of these courses, plan to take the exam on or before September 30, 2014.The revision for CMS 3—Executive Compensation has been changed to first quarter
2015 testing. Current study materials are valid for exams taken on or before December 31, 2014. Revised study materials will be available in November 2014.
Recent Course RevisionsThe following courses were revised in Fall 2013.CMS 1—Human Resources and Compensation ManagementRPA 1—Retirement Plan DesignRPA 2—Retirement Plan Management
the supreme Court Decision on the Constitutionality of PPACA and Its effect on the CeBs Curriculum
As most students are aware, the United States Supreme Court rejected constitutional challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). By doing so, the Supreme Court affirmed that Congress acted within its authority by imposing a penalty tax associated with an individual’s failure to purchase health insurance. Though the Court found that such an individual mandate violates the commerce clause, the individual man-date was upheld by virtue of the taxing power of Congress. In essence, the Supreme Court decision maintains the major provisions of PPACA as enacted in 2010 with one notable exception. The Court struck down the act’s Medicaid expansion provision, and the impact of this part of the ruling is being reviewed.
The GBA curriculum has been recently revised to include the legislated provisions for health care reform. GBA 3 is scheduled for an additional revision in Fall 2014 to reflect existing law.
Undoubtedly, there will be continued scrutiny of the lengthy Supreme Court opinion and regulatory activity related to interpretation of PPACA and its clarification. The Whar-ton School will continue its vigilance in reviewing pronouncements and regulations that can affect the CEBS curriculum. If it becomes necessary to update courses and examina-tions at a future time, students will be advised of these updates and the effective dates for inclusion of this updated material on the national examinations.
CourseCorner
Readings update: Required Reading for RPA 4
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was adopted by Congress on January 1, 2013 to address key elements of the so-called fiscal cliff. The act contained a vari-ety of tax-related provisions. The CEBS program has issued an update entitled “Highlights of the American Taxpayer Re-lief Act.” This update is applicable to RPA 4 and is subject to inclusion on the CEBS ex-amination for RPA 4.
To view the update on our website click here.
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 4
CEBS Testimonialsellen Jefferson Kearney, GBA Benefits Manager Reichhold Durham, north Carolina
Human resources—especially with a concentration in em-ployee benefits—was not my first career choice. But now that I have worked in this field for so many years, I cannot
imagine another profession. I wanted to become a lawyer when I started my career. I began as a paralegal for GE in Connecticut,
where I worked on employee benefits-related issues. The benefits work excited me more than the legal side, so I decided to change ca-reers and pursue an M.B.A. degree in human resources management. I completed that milestone and progressed in my career, but I started to feel as if I couldn’t grow. I realized it was because it was becoming increasingly harder to keep up with the ever-changing world of benefits.
I began to look into certifications and col-legiate courses and decided the Certified
Employee Benefit Specialist program was the perfect fit for me. CEBS is recognized as a leader in professional designations for those working in employee benefits. I knew the CEBS designation would help me continue to grow. I decided to concentrate on the GBA designation first because the courses would be immediately useful to me. I have found that the GBA designation provides me with ongoing education and real-time information that helps me in my job. Those real-time connections are increasingly important with the implementation of health care reform. This point hit home when Dr. Jerry Rosenbloom, the retiring academic director of the CEBS program, stated at the conferment ceremony during the 32nd Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium in Bos-ton, “Outdated knowledge is the equivalence of ignorance.”
I used the online study method for each GBA class. It was help-ful to have access to the information, people and network when I had questions. The online classes allowed me to listen, review and participate in classes that I might have otherwise missed because of my work and travel schedule. There was no excuse; I could study at my leisure, and I used time at home in the evenings and on the weekends.
I have recently been asked to take on compensation responsi-bilities for my current employer. Compensation is a new career path for me, and I knew immediately upon accepting the assign-ment that I would begin working toward the CMS designation. I am excited about the new opportunity, and I thank CEBS for giving me additional confidence to move forward in my career.
I attended my first Symposium in 2013, but it will not be my last. The professional contacts and networking opportunities are wonderful. The information provided during the many sessions I attended during the Symposium was even more important. An-other speaker stated, “The success of the program is based on the quality of the people who participate in it.” Many quality profes-sionals attended the event, and I am honored to be a member of this elite group.
I look forward to attending another graduation ceremony where I can proudly say I earned my CMS certification. I am certain it won’t be long after that I complete the full CEBS certification!
Lisa Murphy stocke, CeBssenior Account ManagerMills Benefit Group, A Lighthouse CompanyGrand Rapids, Michigan
Don’t tell anyone, but, technically, it took me 17 years to earn the CEBS designation. If you ask me face to face, I’ll tell you it was only two.
In 1996, as a recent college graduate, I stumbled upon the field of employee benefits quite by accident. I was simply looking for a job in human resources and eagerly took an entry-level position in benefits for a Fortune 150 company without any real clue of what that meant. That first position was certainly trial by fire—After all, it is necessary to know what a deductible actually is before counsel-ing an employee on how to read their EOB!
I enrolled in my first GBA class that year but must admit Dr. Rosenbloom’s 4th Edition of the Handbook of Employee Benefits mostly served as a very effective paperweight. I had good intentions to study and take exams, but life and youth got in the way.
Admittedly, without CEBS, I had a very successful start to my career. My experiences have spanned health and welfare plans, re-tirement plans, and total compensation management on a global scale. Yet, three years ago, I found myself at a bit of a cross-road. I had left my job to spend a year in France and began to wonder, “What’s next? How would I differentiate myself from other benefits professionals in the market when it was time to land the next job?”
(continued on next page)
Ellen Jefferson Kearney, GBA
Lisa Murphy Stocke, CEBS
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 5
(CeBs testimonials continued from previous page)
I kept coming back to the CEBS program. I knew that the CEBS program would aid me in ways that could not be served by an M.B.A., an SPHR, or any other professional designation or aca-demic achievement. I also knew the high regard in which CEBS professionals were held amongst providers, employers and C-suite HR management. And, fortunately, a CEBS exam could be taken at a testing center in Europe.
Because I was older, wiser and more appreciative of the task ahead, Dr. Rosenbloom’s 6th Edition did not have time to collect dust. And yes, I found that my newly acquired GBA designation alone opened professional doors for me. Our industry has gone through tremendous change, and the demands for technical excel-lence are higher than ever. The CEBS courses offered challenge and insight, but most importantly relevance to the changing demands of a career in employee benefit management.
In his conferment address at this year’s Symposium, CEBS Aca-demic Director Peter Cappelli spoke of CEBS as a profession, much as we consider the CPA or J.D. More than the initials on my busi-
ness card, more than the notation on my resumé, it is the aspects of CEBS as a distinguished and cohesive profession that I have found most valuable.
You see, I entered this process hoping to gain an edge on the competition in the job market. But, it is the CEBS network—infor-mation, peers, fellowship—that has been the most significant re-ward. ACA University, online forums, news briefs, Foundation re-search—These are all examples of how CEBS, the Foundation and ISCEBS help me every day. Yet, it is the people—the dozens who congratulated me during the Symposium on my recent graduation, those who share their stories and their ideas, those who work in the local chapters to broaden the influence of ISCEBS, who have brought me into the fold of a true profession of which I am proud to be a member.
When I called the Foundation in February of 2011 to order my study materials, and they said, “Welcome back, Lisa,” I had almost forgotten that I had started this journey so long ago. But, that will just be our little secret.
Join the SocietyAs a CEBS student, you are eligible to join the International Society of Certified
Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS). You took the first step in solidifying your career in benefits when you enrolled in the CEBS® program. Continue your jour-ney by joining ISCEBS.
The Society is a group of CEBS graduates and students like you. Society mem-bers have extensive benefits knowledge; and they’re all willing to share their wis-dom and expertise with you.
As a Society member you’ll have access to a wide variety of benefits, including: • The ISCEBSLink—a listserve discussion forum where members ask benefits
questions, weigh in on issues and provide valuable resources for each other. It’s a “friendly” group where everyone is willing to share information.
• The Information Center—You’ll have access to a repository of information unmatched in the industry. Information special-ists will perform the research to answer questions you ask of them. Members say one call or e-mail to the Information Center saves them up to six hours of work, which they translate into $500 or more in savings for their organization. Each Society member receives three free requests per year.
We know you are juggling a lot as a CEBS student: CEBS studies and exams, not to mention your regular “day” job and other personal obligations. Connect with a group of like-minded professionals and join the Society for a special rate of $195.
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 6
International Society President Wayne Murphy Applauds CEBS Accomplishments
As the 2014 ISCEBS president, I ap-plaud your efforts to enhance your professional development by continu-
ing your Certified Employee Benefit Special-ist studies.
As a next step, if you haven’t done so al-ready, I encourage you to join the Interna-tional Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists and your local chapter. Network-ing, education, publications and online re-sources are just a few of the many benefits of membership. I’ve stood in your shoes as someone who is trying to balance both per-
sonal and professional obligations, and I’ve found the resources that the Society and your local chapter provide are immeasur-able—It’s a value that far outweighs the cost of membership. As a CEBS student, you can join an elite group of like-minded profes-sionals serving the employee benefits industry.
During my year as the Society president, I’m committed to keeping the Society the “go-to source” for continuing education. Take a minute to read my message that was sent to all Society members—I’m sure you’ll agree that we’re all “keeping good company!”
If you’d like to learn more about the value of Society and local chapter membership, feel free to contact Jennifer and her team at the Society at (262) 786-8771 or [email protected].
Wayne Murphy, CEBS
ISCEBS Fellow
Murphy Believes Exploit = Exposure!Are You Involved in Marketing?
It was the mid-’90s, and a group of us were huddled around a company boardroom for a routine meeting. The president of the company posed the question: “Are you in marketing?” A colleague, not anticipating the ramifications of a simplified response, blurted out, “I’m not in marketing.” The individual was greeted with a steely gaze that probably felt like an eternity which, in reality, was a mere second. At that moment, my colleagues and I learned a valuable lifelong lesson. “You are all in marketing,” the president declared. “When you present yourself to others . . . you are the face of the firm.”
As I recently said at a CEBS recognition ceremony in Toronto, “Exploit equals exposure! Whether we are newly minted desig-nees or seasoned veterans, whether we are members of a local chapter, ISCEBS or the International Foundation of Employee Ben-efit Plans, we are all ambassadors of the CEBS program and the larger benefits community.
“With four generations working together in the workplace, we need to be able to understand the demands and meet them head on. We are not a homogeneous group. We need to build our membership with that in mind, and we need to be the go-to source for continuing education.”
I am honoured and privileged to be elected as the President of ISCEBS. Entering into this role, in an organization that has a solid foundation, one needs to be cognizant of the history. As an organization that so many business professionals turn to for support and resources, we need to continue to deliver and stay ahead of industry needs.
By attending the 2½ day annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium, you can receive up to 19 of the 30 CEBS continuing professional education (CPE) credits that are required every two years. For past, present and future graduates who want to be rec-ognized as being CPE-compliant, this educational program is a step in that direction.
As two North American organizations—with ties so close that staff share the same roof at headquarters in Brookfield, Wiscon-sin—we need to continue to build synergy with the Foundation, which is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year . . . 60 years as an objective, nonprofit educator! (Fair to state that makes the Foundation a baby boomer and ISCEBS an early Gen Y.)
I recently have had the privilege of working with members of the Executive Committee and Corporate Board officers of the Foundation, and I know firsthand that they, too, share the same passion and direction with regard to the higher visibility of both organizations as well as the CEBS program. If we are judged by the company we keep, then we need to exploit and expose because we are keeping good company. If we don’t, who will? We all have a vested interest.
Wayne Murphy, CEBS, ISCEBS Fellow, is the 2014 ISCEBS President. He is manager of corporate services for The PBAS Group, an administra-tion, actuarial and consulting firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario with seven regional offices across Canada.
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 7
Attend Your CEBS Conferment Ceremony Sunday, September 7
September 7-10, 2014 Arizona Biltmore | Phoenix, Arizona
After record attendance and ratings in Boston in 2013, the Symposium aims even higher in Phoenix. Reserve September 7-10, 2014 on your calendar for unsurpassed education, re-sources, networking with old friends, new contacts and access to some of the brightest minds
in the business.A highlight of the Symposium is the conferment ceremony that will take place on Sunday, Sep-
tember 7. New CEBS graduates and GBA, RPA and CMS designees will be recognized for their accomplishments.
Look for a robust educational agenda containing all the latest and most critical topics. The ses-sions will be grouped into four educational tracks: health, retirement, general/strategic topics and a track specifically dedicated to Canadian topics. Established experts deliver sessions and provide con-crete takeaways, so that you can choose sessions with confidence that you will walk away with solid, actionable information and an immediate return on investment.
Attending the Symposium can also help you fulfill your professional education requirements, a real plus when we’re all tasked with making each dollar and minute count. Each year, the Sympo-sium is approved by a variety of professions in many states and provinces, including insurance producers and attorneys.
The Symposium is the conference that will keep you talking long after you get home, with knowledge that will keep you in demand. To register or learn more about the Symposium, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.iscebs.org/symposium, or contact the Society at [email protected] or (262) 786-8771.
33rd Annual ISCEBS Symposium in Phoenix
Register Now
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As seen in first quarter 2014 Benefits Quarterly.
E m p l o y e e B e n e f i t s a n d C h r o n i c C o n d i t i o n s
Employer-Sponsored Medical Clinics: Much More Than Convenience CareChronic diseases and their complications are typically the main health care cost drivers of large businesses. in the past, employer-
sponsored medical clinics (on-site or near-site) have been viewed as offering employers productivity gains and some medical cost
containment while offering employees convenience in caring for acute and minor health problems and the early identification of more
serious and costly medical conditions. As employer-sponsored clinics evolve, some are taking on a larger role of not only screening for
chronic diseases but also actively managing those conditions in order to help employers better control their health care costs. in this
article, a physician and an actuary explore what goes into making an employer-sponsored medical clinic an integral part of a large or-
ganization's health care cost-control strategy and how the clinic can fit into the organization's overall employee benefit plans.
by Victor M. Brugh II, M.D. | Capital Medical Management, LLC and Mac McCarthy | McCarthy Actuarial Consulting
On-site medical clinics date back at least 70 years, but their true utility and value has only been fully recognized in the last 15-20 years as progressive employers integrated them
into their health and wellness strategic plans. The evolution of employer-sponsored medical clinics picked up significant speed in recent years as employers recognized their potential for health care cost containment. During the first 50 years, employers viewed clinics as employee conveniences. They generally were staffed by nurses who provided care for minor illnesses and injuries and re-
ferred work-related conditions to community physicians and hos-pitals. On-site clinics fell out of favor and their numbers dropped during the 1980s through the mid-1990s as competition among employers increased, and the need to reduce overall business op-erational costs became more critical. However, as health care costs continued to escalate, some employers looked to on-site clinics as possible health care cost-containment and employee productivity centers.
MORe
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National Employee Benefits Day 2014 Focus on Steps to Retirement Securitywww.ifebp.org/benefitsday
According to thtenEmployee Benefits Research Institute, almost nine in 10 people don’t think they’ll have enough saved when they get to retirement. Study after study pro-
vides data pointing to the same conclusion: A crisis is coming.
This year, the focus of National Employee Benefits Day is to increase awareness of the crisis and to help plan sponsors mo-tivate participants to actively engage in their retirement planning.
Not only are there many barriers to a secure retirement, but there are sig-nificant barriers for many workers, particularly younger workers, to even think about their retirement. The retire-ment planning process is complicated. As benefit specialists, you are well aware of this and have dedicated yourselves to becoming ex-perts. Many younger workers, however, haven’t thought about planning, as it doesn’t seem like an immediate concern. Plus, there are curret demands on their money: student loans, car payments, etc. And, the planning process can be dry at best, requiring knowledge and information that is not readily accessible.
5 steps to Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement1. Picture it. What do you want your retirement to look like?
Do you want to travel? Have a cottage on a lake? Or pursue a hobby? A planning sheet at www.ifebp.org/benefitsday will
help you “see” the possibilities.2. Give it a price tag. Estimating how much money
you will need for retirement can seem daunting. If retirement is far away, it may be okay to
just pick a percentage of your current in-come as a target. If you are within 15 years of retirement, it’s time to take a closer look at that number.3. Do the math. First, you’ll need to know what you have. Typically your re-tirement funds will come from a variety
of sources including Social Security, re-tirement plans provided by an employer
and personal savings. There are also many free retirement calculators available online. Visit
www.ifebp.org/benefitsday to find our favorites.4. Save for it. If you start saving early, the magic of compound-
ing will make it possible for you to set aside less and still achieve your goal.
5. Enjoy it. People are living longer than they used to. It is pos-sible you will spend as much time in retirement as you did working. A little planning for your future is key to having a secure and enjoyable retirement.
More information and helpful tools can be found at www.ifebp.org/benefitsday.
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 10
CEBS Graduatesoctober, november and December 2013, January 2014
CALIFORnIAJohn S. Andrews, CEBSVice President CompensationMcKessonDanville, CA Wendy E. Barker, CEBSValley Center, CA Clay W. Campbell, CEBSRegional DirectorTransamerica Employee BenefitsLong Beach, CA Carol A. Cypert, CEBSSan Francisco, CA Maria Dawson, CEBSLife Technologies CorporationCarlsbad, CA Callie J. Ernest, CEBSDirector of Client ServicesWells Fargo Insurance ServicesWalnut Creek, CA Taylour N. Johnson, CEBSService Center ManagerTowers WatsonSan Diego, CA Joanne Lam, CEBSLos Angeles, CA Ashley M. Madeza, CEBSService Center ManagerTowers WatsonSan Diego, CA Lakeisha N. Massey, CEBSLos Angeles, CA Lucy K. Moffitt, CEBSVP Director RetirementSAICSan Diego, CA Geng Qu, CEBSVice President Strategic PlanningAIG Benefit SolutionsWalnut, CA
COLORADOMary K. Amend, CEBSSenior AnalystMercerDenver, CO
COnneCtICutNoora M. Garnett, CEBSDomain ManagerAon HewittNorwalk, CT Merrick A. Miller, CEBSManager Plan AdministrationUnited Technologies CorporationHartford, CT
FLORIDAAmy L. Bailey, CEBSSenior Human Resources ManagerTransamericaSt. Petersburg, FL
GeORGIAJane M. Drozynski, CEBSSenior Business Procedures
ConsultantMetLifeAlpharetta, GA Denise W. Ivester, CEBSGroup Health & Wellness ManagerFieldale Farms CorporationBaldwin, GA David B. Ritter, CEBSU.S. Department of Labor EBSAAtlanta, GA Patricia A. Sharpe, CEBSSenior Managing ConsultantIBMMarietta, GA
ILLInOIsJason W. Benacka, CEBSChicago, IL Margaret M. Duggan, CEBSAccount ManagerAssurance AgencySchaumburg, IL
Elisabeth C. Murphy, CEBSCompensation & Benefits
Consulting Senior AssociateGrant Thornton LLPChicago, IL Rebecca L. Nix, CEBSBenefits & Human Resources
ManagerThe Boler CompanyItasca, IL Abdul R. Qadir, CEBSSystems Project ManagerAon HewittLincolnshire, ILMark Salzman, CEBSADPElk Grove Village, IL Ross P. Wilken, CEBSExecutive Director BenefitsCME Group Inc.Chicago, IL
InDIAnASteven K. Worthen, CEBSRetirement Planning ConsultantTransamerica Retirement SolutionsGranger, IN
IOWATiffany J. Paarmann, CEBSBenefits AdministratorMississippi Valley Regional Blood
CenterDavenport, IA
KentuCKYPascale M. Ciak, CEBSBenefits AnalystMercerLouisville, KY
LOuIsIAnACindy A. Heine, CEBSPresidentAssociated Benefits ConsultingBaton Rouge, LA Susan C. Senn, CEBSBenefits & Recruiting SpecialistLAMMICOMetairie, LA
MAssAChusettsRichard J. Colby, CEBSFidelity InvestmentsWorcester, MA Mark Von Vogt, CEBSSenior Vice PresidentEastern Insurance GroupSaugus, MA
MIChIGAnAnthony R. Castelbuono, CEBSCompensation ManagerWhirlpool CorporationSt. Joseph, MI Alison F. Lange, CEBSMonroe, MI Janet M. Miesen, CEBSVice President Human ResourcesDJM Business Resources LLCRockford, MI
MInnesOtAMartha M. Henrickson, CEBSDirector of Workforce RelationsAGC of MinnesotaSt. Paul, MNKenneth E. Horstman, CEBSDirector Employee BenefitsRosemount Inc.Chanhassen, MN Susan N. Schwartz, CEBSSenior Benefits AnalystMayo ClinicRochester, MN Sarah Yochum, CEBSChanhassen, MN
(continued on next page)
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(CeBs Graduates continued from previous page)
MIssIssIPPIRoyce T. Amacker, CEBSHuman Resources SpecialistYoungWilliams PCRidgeland, MS Kimberly L. Thomas, CEBSStarkville, MS
MIssOuRIMaureen A. Ditto, CEBSAVP Project ManagerLockton CompaniesKansas City, MO
neVADAGeorgina E. Grimes, CEBSBenefits ManagerYour Vitamins Inc.Henderson, NV
neW hAMPshIReStephanie L. Gagne, CEBSSenior Client Service ManagerFidelity InvestmentsMerrimack, NH
neW JeRseYDavid R. Birdsong, CEBSSenior Manager Labor BenefitsAlcatel-LucentNew Providence, NJ Kathleen C. Hamilton, CEBSAdministrative ManagerBenefit Processing Inc.Cherry Hill, NJ Stephen L. Marsh, CEBSSenior Marketing Communications
ConsultantMetLifeBridgewater, NJ Mary Jo Reilly, CEBSExecutive DirectorCommunication Workers of
AmericaSomerset, NJ Christopher D. Vanderwolk, CEBSVP Strategy & Business
DevelopmentBenefit Tax LinkWayne, NJ
neW YORKMargaret A. Bowen, CEBSBatavia, NY Anne M. Durham, CEBSSenior Benefits SpecialistFirst Niagara Financial GroupBuffalo, NY Arlene A. Gawlowski, CEBSPension SpecialistMutual of America Life InsuranceNew York, NY Lynette L. Harel, CEBSDirectorFidelity InvestmentsNew York, NY
nORth CAROLInALou Ellen Smith, CEBSPayroll Benefits Finance
AdministratorGoulston Technologies Inc.Monroe, NC
nORth DAKOtACarrie A. Passon, CEBSBenefits & Compensation SpecialistCoreLink Administration SolutionsFargo, ND
OhIOTina M. Bostic, CEBSBenefits/HRIS AdministratorLutheran Homes SocietyToledo, OH Marla L. Szoradi, CEBSAssociateHighland Consulting Associates Inc.Westlake, OH
OKLAhOMAGene Ann Mason, CEBSManager of BenefitsWPX EnergyTulsa, OK
OReGOnBenjamin C. Frasier, CEBSBenefits ManagerRoseburg Forest ProductsDillard, OR
PennsYLVAnIADiane M. Fritz, CEBSClient Service ManagerPrudential RetirementScranton, PA G. Martin Irons, CEBSVice PresidentGraham CompanyPhiladelphia, PA Tatyana Pokhodenko, CEBSBenefits AnalystDelaware Valley Health
Insurance TrustHorsham, PA Kevin B. Randolph, CEBSUnderwriterWillis of PennsylvaniaRadnor, PA Christina M. Shemo, CEBSAssociate Financial AnalystWillis of PennsylvaniaRadnor, PA Catherine M. Treacy, CEBSConsultantTowers WatsonPhiladelphia, PA
tennesseeHayley M. Elam, CEBSBenefits SpecialistEastman Credit UnionKingsport, TN
teXAsCynthia D. Barker, CEBSConsultantAscendeHouston, TX Todd L. Ebbinghaus, CEBSSenior Advisor Health & WelfarePhillips 66Houston, TX Julia A. Higginbotham, CEBSPlano, TX Beatrice A. Kuykendall, CEBSConsultant Client ServiceHolmes Murphy & AssociatesDallas, TX Sharon L. Moores, CEBSBenefits SupervisorHarris CountyHouston, TX Marcella A. Mullins, CEBSSenior Benefits AnalystBimbo Bakeries USA Inc.Fort Worth, TX Norma A. Smith, CEBSSenior Benefits AnalystTexans Credit UnionRichardson, TX
WIsCOnsInBrenda D. Page, CEBSDirector Labor RelationsKimberly-Clark CorporationNeenah, WI
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 12
ARIZOnATroy J. Anderson, GBAPhoenix, AZ
CALIFORnIAEmily C. Davenport, GBALos Angeles, CARussell T. Fairles, GBADeputy AdministratorCarpenter Funds Administrative
OfficeOakland, CAChing C. Fong, GBAQuality Auditor IILACERAPasadena, CAKaren N. Fukuda, GBABenefits SpecialistRecology Inc.San Francisco, CAPauline A. Hann, GBABenefits ManagerCarpenter Funds Administrative
OfficeOakland, CAYong Chu Yu Irwin, GBALakewood, CA Karin Ann Jensen, GBASacramento, CADavid J. Lamberson, GBAManager Association TrustPolycomp Administrative ServicesSan Diego, CAMargaret J. Laprade, GBAHuman Resources ManagerAAE Inc.Orange, CAMarina LeLeux, GBATrabuco Canyon, CAVeronica M. McPherson, GBALaguna Hills, CAMelissa M. Salazar, CEBS, GBARetirement Benefits Specialist IILACERAPasadena, CAWayne John Willard, GBAEmployee Benefits DirectorCounty of Orange Employee BenefitsSanta Ana, CARandall Woo, GBASan Francisco, CA
COnneCtICutShawna Angle, GBARidgefield, CTSusan A. Benamati, GBASenior Human Resources GeneralistLL Global Inc.Windsor, CT
FLORIDAWilliam R. Caldwell, CEBS, GBAHuman Resources ExecutiveUnited States Postal ServiceTampa, FLJames R. Clark, GBAVice PresidentHardenTampa, FLJennifer R. Costea, GBASenior Client Service ExecutiveMMAFort Lauderdale, FLShawntae F. Hardy, GBAOrlando, FLAndrea L. Katz, GBATampa, FLKathleen J. Meola, GBASenior Account ManagerAscension Benefits
& Insurance SolutionsStuart, FLAndrew B. Parker, GBADirector of SalesMDLive Inc.Sunrise, FLChristina M. Redmond, GBASenior Project ManagerEmpyrean Benefit SolutionsJacksonville, FL
GeORGIAKim T. Dowd, GBABenefits ManagerGulfstream Aerospace CorporationSavannah, GAJeannie A. Gibby, GBACumming, GABarrett R. Nolen, GBADecatur, GAMagda Vodenicharova, GBACumming, GA
IDAhOGeraldine E. Mulkey, GBAManager Employee BenefitsWinCo Holdings Inc.Boise, ID
ILLInOIsJacqueline Antonio, GBAChicago, ILAna R. Builes, GBAManager Canadian Health
& Welfare PlansMondelez InternationalDeerfield, ILAshley A. Diamond, GBAItasca, ILNichole Hermes, GBABenefits ManagerAbelson TaylorChicago, ILDiane C. Jimenez, GBALincolnshire, ILSusan M. Kane, GBAChicago, ILJulie A. Lage, GBAAdministratorNorthern Illinois and Iowa Laborers
Health & Welfare Trust FundsRock Island, ILElisabeth C. Murphy, CEBS, GBACompensation & Benefits
Consulting Senior AssociateGrant Thornton LLPChicago, IL
InDIAnAFred A. Hendricks Jr., GBAIndianapolis, IN
IOWATerilee H. Clark, GBAHuman Resources ManagerWeitz CompanyDes Moines, IALaura Lanigan, GBASupervisor Client ManagementARAGDes Moines, IARobert G. Seiler, GBABenefits ManagerEMC Insurance CompanyDes Moines, IA
KAnsAsJamma S. Markus, GBAPayroll & Benefits CoordinatorMiami County KansasPaola, KSBrian A. Pfeiff, GBASenior UnderwriterCignaOverland Park, KS
LOuIsIAnAQuentin Lloyd, GBAAssociateMercerNew Orleans, LA
MARYLAnDDiane L. Sullivan, GBAOdenton, MDKarolin M. Szabo, GBABolton PartnersBaltimore, MDAlan W. Wiederhold, GBASenior Regional Sales DirectorCoreSourceBaltimore, MD
MAssAChusettsAlison M. Coleman, GBAClient Service ManagerWilliam Gallagher AssociatesBoston, MAKaren B. Gagnon, GBABellingham, MACrystal D. Hammond, GBASenior Health & Benefits AnalystMercer Health & BenefitsBoston, MAStephanie M. Harrington, GBAAccount ManagerBerkshire Insurance GroupPittsfield, MAJoy A. Layden, GBAAccount ExecutiveThe EBS Foran GroupNorthborough, MA
(continued on next page)
Group Benefits Associates (GBAs)october, november and December 2013, January 2014
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 13
(Group Benefits Associates continued from previous page)
Terrence B. Shea, GBASenior Account ExecutiveHartfordBoston, MASanta C. Troncoso, GBARoxbury, MAMark Von Vogt, CEBS, GBASenior Vice PresidentEastern Insurance GroupSaugus, MA
MIChIGAnMarguerite McGrath, GBASenior Benefits AdministratorNavigation Solutions LLCBloomfield Hills, MIMarie A. Williams, GBASouthgate, MIEllen A. Winter, GBAVice PresidentGrand Wealth Management LLCGrand Rapids, MI
MInnesOtARonald G. Ethier, GBAAdministratorSt. Paul Elect Ind Admin Service
Corp.St. Paul, MNJonathan P. May, GBABenefits ConsultantAssociated Financial GroupMinnetonka, MNCrenguta E. Ochian, GBAInternal Business ConsultantThrivent FinancialMinneapolis, MN
MIssOuRIAmanda L. Collier, GBAAccount ManagerLockton CompaniesKansas City, MOTeresa A. Griffith, GBAAccount ManagerLockton CompaniesKansas City, MOMegan Hess, GBAHuman Resources SpecialistVeterans United Home LoansColumbia, MODana M. LaBarge, GBAVice President of Global BenefitsEnterprise HoldingsSt. Louis, MO
neBRAsKAMark J. Ellinger, GBADirector Compensation & BenefitsHDR Inc.Omaha, NE
neVADAGeorgina E. Grimes, CEBS, GBABenefits ManagerYour Vitamins Inc.Henderson, NV
neW hAMPshIReManessa R. Lins, GBARegional Benefits ExecutiveADP Inc.Salem, NHPatricia L. Morse, GBAManchester, NHPamela J. Pelletier, GBAHudson, NH
neW JeRseYYoko Asahi, GBAFort Lee, NJDavid M. Boatti, GBAHoboken, NJAndrea Hartman, GBABelle Mead, NJMichele A. Kelly-Spiewak, GBABenefits SpecialistUnited Methodist HomesNeptune, NJKathleen A. Koch, GBALittle Falls, NJPradeep H. Pitigala, GBAHoboken, NJIan Ruegg, GBANew Jersey Carpenters Health FundsEdison, NJ
neW YORKLetisha S. Gary-Commey, GBASenior Benefits AnalystBNY MellonNew York, NYKristin L. Graham, GBANew City, NYKasia Mirota, GBAAssistant Vice PresidentMet LifeNew York, NYJanet L. Schulmerich, GBABenefit AdvisorGuardian Life Insurance Co.Amherst, NY
nORth CAROLInASarah H. Sharpe, GBAClaims SpecialistNational Telecommunications
Cooperative AssociationAsheville, NC
OhIONicole L. Black, GBAAccount ManagerHuntington InsuranceMaumee, OHVicki L. Fryfogle, GBAManager HR AdministrationNeuroCare Center Inc.Canton, OHSandra Kubasky, GBASenior Benefits SpecialistNewPage CorporationMiamisburg, OHRobin D. Sabbarese, GBABenefits AdministratorScott Fetzer CompanyWestlake, OH
OReGOnAngela K. Robinson-Grein, GBAManager Benefits Training &
CommunicationBi-Mart CorporationEugene, OR
PennsYLVAnIAAndrew D. Brownstein, GBAFurlong, PAJudith A. Carle, GBAGlenmoore, PAAnnabelle Houseaux, GBABrookhaven, PAJanna M. Karopoulos, GBAAllentown, PABrent Keperling, GBABenefits Account AnalystGraham CompanyPhiladelphia, PAAlexander R. Kleban, GBADingmans Ferry, PAChristine R. O’Leary, GBABenefits AdministratorArcelorMittal Tubular
Products USA LLCPittsburgh, PA
Frances Rhoades, GBAHuman Resources DirectorIroko Pharmaceuticals LLCPhiladelphia, PAKimberly E. Ristine, GBAEmployee Benefits SupervisorCrown Cork & Seal Co. Inc.Philadelphia, PACatherine M. Treacy, CEBS, GBAConsultantTowers WatsonPhiladelphia, PA
RhODe IsLAnDGinnette Aramboles, GBAProvidence, RI
sOuth CAROLInAAnnmarie Fini, GBASenior Vice President
of Product StrategyBenefitfocus.com Inc.Daniel Island, SCJosef A. Lhotsky, GBAJoint Carrier AnalystBenefitfocusCharleston, SCNoel Pittman-Davidson, GBABusiness AnalystBenefitfocus.com Inc.Daniel Island, SC
sOuth DAKOtADebra D. Bisgaard, GBARetirement Services ManagerBlack Hills CorporationRapid City, SD
tennesseeHayley M. Elam, CEBS, GBABenefits SpecialistEastman Credit UnionKingsport, TNBetty J. Gallatin, GBAJohnson City, TNSteven P. Summerall, GBAFranklin, TN
teXAsCarla S. Dawson, GBAAdmin Director Total Health
& Total RewardsTexas Health ResourcesArlington, TX
(continued on page 15)
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 14
CALIFORnIAJohn S. Andrews, CEBS, RPAVice President CompensationMcKessonDanville, CAEdward G. Bohm, RPAAssistant Manager Pension
DepartmentDirectors Guild of America
Producer P&H PlansLos Angeles, CATaylour N. Johnson, CEBS, RPAService Center ManagerTowers WatsonSan Diego, CAChangsu Lee, RPACounty of OrangeSanta Ana, CAAshley M. Madeza, CEBS, RPAService Center ManagerTowers WatsonSan Diego, CALori Moirao, RPACase ManagerStark MillerOakland, CAJudy L. Powels, RPASan Bernardino, CAGinger Shellman, RPATorrance, CAWayne John Willard, RPAEmployee Benefits DirectorCounty of Orange Employee BenefitsSanta Ana, CA
COLORADOPaul E. Marrs, RPADenver, COTravis J. Wurzer, RPASenior Client Service ConsultantTIAA-CREFDenver, CO
COnneCtICutZachary W. Tracey, RPAClient Service ManagerConstitution Advisory Group LLCEast Hartford, CT
DeLAWAReChristopher J. Kopach, RPATrust OfficerFidelity Personal Trust Co.Wilmington, DE
DIstRICt OF COLuMBIAKenneth Michael Kerns, RPAManager Quality Assurance &
Eligibility ProcessingUMWA Health & Retirement FundsWashington, DCShannon L. Leftwich, CEBS, RPAHuman Resources DirectorSo Others Might EatWashington, DC
FLORIDAAmy L. Bailey, CEBS, RPASenior Human Resources ManagerTransamericaSt. Petersburg, FLJennifer L. Gunter, RPABenefits AnalystNCCI Holdings Inc.Boca Raton, FL
GeORGIAKonstantinos F. Bozzuto, RPAFinancial Professional AssociatePrudentialAtlanta, GADenise W. Ivester, CEBS, RPAGroup Health & Wellness ManagerFieldale Farms CorporationBaldwin, GADavid B. Ritter, CEBS, RPAU.S. Department of Labor EBSAAtlanta, GAPatricia A. Sharpe, CEBS, RPASenior Managing ConsultantIBMMarietta, GARebecca L. Stuart, RPARetirement ManagerFieldale Farms CorporationBaldwin, GA
IDAhOKirstin L. Sourapas, RPAEmployee Benefits ManagerAmalgamated Sugar Company LLCBoise, ID
ILLInOIsTimothy J. Abramic, RPAConsulting ActuaryVerisightChicago, IL
Rosa M. Aguirre, RPAAnalystTowers WatsonChicago, ILMichael John Leo, RPATreasury & Financial ConsultantHealth Care Service CorporationChicago, ILDaniel J. Partida, RPAConsultantDeloitte ConsultingChicago, ILWilliam S. Rupert, RPABenefits ManagerWestern Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL
KAnsAsBridget D. Tatum, CEBS, RPAAccount ExecutiveIMA of Kansas Inc.Wichita, KS
LOuIsIAnASusan C. Senn, CEBS, RPABenefits & Recruiting SpecialistLAMMICOMetairie, LA
MARYLAnDWayne D. Byrd, RPAVice President Institutional Trust
ConsultantBranch Banking & Trust Co.Baltimore, MD
MAssAChusettsDorothy C. Hodgkins, RPAClient Relationship ManagerHub International New EnglandNorwell, MA
MIChIGAnPamela Capstick, RPAPinckney, MIAnthony R. Castelbuono, CEBS, RPACompensation ManagerWhirlpool CorporationSt. Joseph, MI Ellen A. Winter, RPAVice PresidentGrand Wealth Management LLCGrand Rapids, MI
MInnesOtANicole C. Brown, RPACPASchechter Dokken KanterMinneapolis, MN
MIssIssIPPIKimberly L. Thomas, CEBS, RPAStarkville, MS
MIssOuRICarissa A. James, RPARetirement Strategy PartnerSt. Luke’s Health SystemKansas City, MOTimothy A. Lee, RPABenefits AdministratorPenmac Staffing ServicesSpringfield, MOLauren M. McDonnell, RPAAccount AdministratorLockton CompaniesSt. Louis, MOCindy L. Stucky, RPADirector of TaxConcordia Plan ServicesArnold, MO
neBRAsKASusan M. Collett, RPASenior Relationship ManagerMutual of OmahaOmaha, NEMiles M. Hunke, RPABenefits ConsultantMilliman Inc.Omaha, NE
neW JeRseYDavid M. Boatti, RPAHoboken, NJ
neW YORKMark A. Enright, RPAPractice LeaderLiberty Mutual Insurance GroupRochester, NYAndrea Melendez, RPAUSINew York, NY
(continued on next page)
Retirement Plans Associates (RPAs)october, november and December 2013, January 2014
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 15
(Retirement Plans Associates continued from previous page)
OReGOnSandra M. Cranston, RPACanby, OR
PennsYLVAnIAMatthew J. Gyure, CEBS, RPASenior Account ManagerGleason Financial Ltd.Johnstown, PAG. Martin Irons, CEBS, RPAVice PresidentGraham CompanyPhiladelphia, PABree D. Norberg, RPABenefits AnalystPenn Mutual Life InsuranceEast Norriton, PAKevin B. Randolph, CEBS, RPAUnderwriterWillis of PennsylvaniaRadnor, PAChristina M. Shemo, CEBS, RPAAssociate Financial AnalystWillis of PennsylvaniaRadnor, PA
RhODe IsLAnDGlenn E. King, CEBS, RPAVice President Human ResourcesFM GlobalJohnston, RI
sOuth DAKOtAKimberly R. Bowman, RPABenefits AdministratorDacotah Banks Inc.Aberdeen, SD
tennesseeKatrina Burnette, RPABenefits AnalystUSW Benefit FundsNashville, TN
teXAsTammy L. Dunn, RPADirector BenefitsRiverstone Residential GroupRowlett, TXTodd L. Ebbinghaus, CEBS, RPASenior Advisor Health & WelfarePhillips 66Houston, TXCooper L. Kinney, RPAHouston, TXThomas H. Moore Jr., RPAFort Worth, TXSharon L. Moores, CEBS, RPABenefits SupervisorHarris CountyHouston, TXRichard J. Urban Jr., RPAThe Woodlands, TX
VIRGInIACarissa Swain, RPAHuman Resources Compliance
ManagerTidewater Physicians Multispecialty
Group PCNewport News, VA
WAshInGtOnJennifer Kloehn, CEBS, RPAAssociateMercerSeattle, WA
WIsCOnsInKelly Neubauer, RPABenefits AdministratorStrattec Security CorporationMilwaukee, WIKristi A. Reid, RPABenefits DirectorBrookdale Senior LivingMilwaukee, WI
(Group Benefits Associates continued from page 13)
Jenny R. Finney, GBABenefits ManagerGallagher Benefit Services Inc.Houston, TXTammy Large, GBAHuman Resources DirectorAastra USA Inc.Frisco, TXSharri F. White, GBADirector of Client ManagementDavis VisionDallas, TXJana R. Woodyard, GBABenefits ManagerWillbros United States Holdings Inc.Houston, TX
VIRGInIATammy L. Mitchell, GBANational Account ManagerAnthemProvidence Forge, VAMargaret A. Palmore, GBAPowhatan, VAKim Setzer, GBAEmployee Benefits SpecialistUSI InsuranceVirginia Beach, VAJames S. Tamaye, GBAVienna, VATaweel F. Tawil, GBAAssistant VP Employee BenefitsSahouri Insurance & FinancialMcLean, VA
WAshInGtOnSteven R. Martell Jr., GBAHuman Resources RepresentativeNorthwest HospitalSeattle, WA
WIsCOnsInSteven Gotthardt, GBAWeb DeveloperInternational Foundation of
Employee Benefit PlansBrookfield, WIJoshua C. Pollock, GBABenefits SpecialistWalworth CountyElkhorn, WIJill Stoffield, GBAWaukesha, WIMatthew R. Weimer, GBADirector Employee Benefit
OperationsDiversified Insurance Services Inc.Brookfield, WI
WYOMInGBeverly R. Teeter, GBAHuman Resources GeneralistCody Laboratories Inc.Cody, WY
InDIAZakir Abdul Mohammed, GBAMember TechnicalADP Private LimitedSeri Lingampally Mandal, India
unIteD ARAB eMIRAtesVinaya Visalam Sasidharan, GBAHuman Resources SpecialistKBRDubai, United Arab Emirates
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 16
ARKAnsAsJames B. Petty, CMSSenior Compensation ConsultantWindstream CommunicationsLittle Rock, AR
CALIFORnIATeresa A. Babcock, CMSChino Hills, CACarol A. Cypert, CEBS, CMSSan Francisco, CACallie J. Ernest, CEBS, CMSDirector of Client ServicesWells Fargo Insurance ServicesWalnut Creek, CA
COLORADOVictoria Zanin, CMSSenior AssociateMercerDenver, CO
COnneCtICutIsobel A. Bonar, CMSSenior Analyst Compensation &
BenefitsHomeServe USANorwalk, CTNoora M. Garnett, CEBS, CMSDomain ManagerAon HewittNorwalk, CTMerrick A. Miller, CEBS, CMSManager Plan AdministrationUnited Technologies CorporationHartford, CT
FLORIDAStephen Walter Hall, CMSPresident Gulf CoastAlltrust InsuranceSarasota, FLTara J. Sikes, CMSHuman Resources GeneralistHardenJacksonville, FL
GeORGIACynthia R. Wright, CMSSenior Employee Benefits ManagerRheem Manufacturing Co.Atlanta, GA
ILLInOIsRebecca L. Nix, CEBS, CMSBenefits & Human Resources ManagerThe Boler CompanyItasca, IL
InDIAnAArdyth A. Cutler, CEBS, CMSManager Employee BenefitsCommunity Healthcare SystemsMunster, INMelissa M. Riggs, CMSCompensation Payroll
and Benefits CoordinatorHoosier EnergyBloomington, IN
IOWATiffany J. Paarmann, CEBS, CMSBenefits AdministratorMississippi Valley Regional
Blood CenterDavenport, IA
KentuCKYPascale M. Ciak, CEBS, CMSBenefits AnalystMercerLouisville, KY
LOuIsIAnACindy A. Heine, CEBS, CMSPresidentAssociated Benefits ConsultingBaton Rouge, LAStephanie C. Moore, CMSPrairieville, LA
MARYLAnDAlison Brown, CMSRosedale, MD
MAssAChusettsMegan E. Child, CMSConsultantLongfellow BenefitsBoston, MAJane MacNeil, CMSCompensation CoordinatorMarine Biological LaboratoryWoods Hole, MAKate A. O’Sullivan, CMSSenior Client Service ManagerWilliam Gallagher AssociatesBoston, MA
MIChIGAnKathryn E. Cleveland, CMSAccount ManagerMills Benefit GroupGrand Rapids, MIJanet M. Miesen, CEBS, CMSVice President Human ResourcesDJM Business Resources LLCRockford, MIAngela R. Mitchell, CMSIntegration ManagerAction BenefitsOxford, MI
MInnesOtAKenneth E. Horstman, CEBS, CMSDirector Employee BenefitsRosemount Inc.Chanhassen, MNSarah Yochum, CEBS, CMSChanhassen, MN
MIssIssIPPIRoyce T. Amacker, CEBS, CMSHuman Resources SpecialistYoungWilliams PCRidgeland, MSKimberly L. Thomas, CEBS, CMSStarkville, MS
MIssOuRIMaureen A. Ditto, CEBS, CMSAssistant VP Project ManagerLockton CompaniesKansas City, MOMatthew Kaiser, CEBS, CMSDirector Technology SolutionsLockton CompaniesKansas City, MOCourtney S. Lawrence, CMSProject CoordinatorLockton CompaniesKansas City, MORyan T. O’Leary, CMSProducerLockton CompaniesKansas City, MO
neW JeRseYKathleen C. Hamilton, CEBS, CMSAdministrative ManagerBenefit Processing Inc.Cherry Hill, NJRosaria Jovicic, CEBS, CMSBenefits SpecialistSchindler Elevator CorporationMorristown, NJ
neW YORKDavid S. Bell, CMSSenior ManagerRegeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.Tarrytown, NYMargaret A. Bowen, CEBS, CMSBatavia, NYBarry Udeme Idiong, CMSBenefits AnalystFujifilm Holdings America Corp.Valhalla, NYRobert J. Klee, CMSBenefits AnalystReed ElsevierNew York, NYLori E. Pospisil, CEBS, CMSDirectorKPMGBethpage, NY
(continued on next page)
Compensation Management Specialists (CMSs)october, november and December 2013, January 2014
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 17
(Compensation Management specialists continued from previous page)
OhIOBarbara A. Kramer, CMSChardon, OH
OKLAhOMAGene Ann Mason, CEBS, CMSManager of BenefitsWPX EnergyTulsa, OK
OReGOnBenjamin C. Frasier, CEBS, CMSBenefits ManagerRoseburg Forest ProductsDillard, OR
PennsYLVAnIALori A. Carnvale, CEBS, CMSMoon Township, PAAllison J. Cross, CMSDowningtown, PACharlene D. Gumkowski, CMSSenior Administration Technology
SpecialistMyDeferral Executive BenefitsJamison, PAJennifer N. Lane, CMSRetirement CoordinatorGannett Fleming Inc.Camp Hill, PABrian S. Orsinger, CMSDirector Benefits ConsultingBanyan Consulting LLCMechanicsburg, PABeth E. Wetzel, CEBS, CMSHuman Resources Representative V
Executive CompensationFirst Energy CorporationReading, PA
sOuth DAKOtAMyranda R. Becking, CMSHuman Resources AdministratorDacotah Banks Inc.Aberdeen, SD
tennesseeHayley M. Elam, CEBS, CMSBenefits SpecialistEastman Credit UnionKingsport, TN
teXAsMaria F. Iniguez de Ortega, CMSHarker Heights, TXVanessa L. Johnson, CMSDickinson, TXMarcella A. Mullins, CEBS, CMSSenior Benefits AnalystBimbo Bakeries USA Inc.Fort Worth, TXMegan M. Orosco, CMSAccount ManagerLockton CompaniesHouston, TXNorma A. Smith, CEBS, CMSSenior Benefits AnalystTexans Credit UnionRichardson, TX
VeRMOntLisa S. Arneth, CMSSystem Compensation ConsultantGallagher Flynn & CompanyBurlington, VT
VIRGInIAKathryn Marino, CMSDirector Compensation & BenefitsDCS CorporationAlexandria, VA
WAshInGtOnXiaolu Lin, CMSOlympia, WA
WIsCOnsInBrenda D. Page, CEBS, CMSDirector Labor RelationsKimberly-Clark CorporationNeenah, WI
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 18
Register now at www.ifebp.org/washington
www.ifebp.org/washington
Washington Legislative UpdateMay 5-6, 2014 | The Capital Hilton
Washington, D.C.
With the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) looming, attend the Washington Legislative Update to learn from industry insiders how the events in Washington will impact your plans.
Join your peers in staying on top of the legislative and regulatory environment with this must-attend program.
Key Takeaways• Understand the issues, trends and future direction of the industry from
expert speakers.
• Prepare for the future and learn how your plans will be impacted by recently enacted and proposed legislation and regulations.
• Network with those who face similar challenges for productive dialogue, creative ideas and workable solutions.
• Schedule time to meet with your congressional representatives to discuss the issues that impact your strategies. Let your voice be heard.
• Access a direct pipeline to what’s happening on the Hill.
ConneCt with usnetwork with peers, get news and updates, apply for courses
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 19
the Doctor Is ‘On’
Truth Hardware saw marginal use of its nurse hotline service for five years before turning to a physician telehealth service through American Well Online Care, suggested by Truth’s benefit plan ad-ministrator Independence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. The service provides remote access to physicians 24 hours a day through phone, video communication, text chat and mobile apps for answering questions, making diagnoses and prescriptions. Tele-health has grown from advice to treatment and specialist referral. It is increasingly recognized as one strategy to deal with the looming physician shortage while helping to keep employees healthy and productive with convenient, anytime access, often avoiding emer-gency room visits and extended time away from the job.
Mark McGraw | Risk & Insurancenovember 2013 | pp. 84-86 | 0164734
IRs to Begin Compliance Checks of non-Governmental section 457(b) Plans
By September 30, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intends to have checked 400 Section 457(b) plans for compliance. The fo-cus will be on verifying reported deferrals, sponsor eligibility, ap-propriately limited participation, permitted features and emer-gency distributions. It is essential to understand the differences between provisions under Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b) that apply to governmental plans and provisions available to non-profit organizations. A draft of the request for information issued by IRS reflects concern with eligibility for participation, participant loans and catch-up contributions. IRS will inform noncompliant plans what to do or expect, possibly including a full audit or using the voluntary correction program. All organizations should proac-tively self-check on plan documentation and operations, and those receiving a compliance check letter should respond promptly and contact their attorney.
Mary K. samsa | Journal of Compensation and Benefitsnovember-December 2013 | pp. 5-12 | 0164723
not All Aboard
The free charging stations MetLife provides for employees’ electric vehicles are one of many types of transportation benefits compa-nies can offer, but only 6% of employers subsidize civilian employ-ees’ commuting, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 survey. Eight in ten workers drive to work alone. Employers may provide up to $245 per month in tax-free transportation benefits to employees. Benefits can be used for options such as taking public transportation, carpooling, cycling and parking permits. Transport benefits are most commonly offered in the higher education, pub-lic administration and health sectors, by larger companies and on the west coast. By making the commute easier, transport benefits help employers attract and retain talent, leading to improved pro-ductivity, lower absenteeism and overall savings.
susan Ladika | Workforce Managementnovember 2013 | pp. 47-48 | 0164753
What employers need to Know When Asking About Family Medical history
In spring 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed two lawsuits for violations of the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) attached to other employment discrim-ination claims, creating substantial challenges in litigation. To avoid a GINA complaint, employers should be aware of the prohi-bitions against collecting genetic information and against discrim-inating, harassing or retaliating against an employee or candidate based on such information. Employers must ensure genetic infor-mation collected through a medical exam or wellness program is not shared with the employer or used for hiring, firing or return-to-work decisions, though there are exceptions to the general pro-hibition. Employers must be aware of the circumscribed situations when they can disclose information and ways they can limit expo-sure to a GINA claim.
Jessica Post | HR Advisor: Legal & Practical Guidancenovember-December 2013 | pp. 19-24 | 0164758
What’s New?trends and innovations in employee Benefits
For free copies of the full articles, members can call the Bookstore at (888) 334-3327, option 4, or e-mail [email protected].
For more information on the CeBs program, visit www.ifebp.org/cebs.
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newssCOPe | March 2014 | 20
Certificate in Global Benefits ManagementJune 9-13, 2014 Chicago, illinois
This is the perfect fit for individuals who work with global benefits and need to re-view the challenges of cultural expecta-tions. Through this 4½ days of instruction, you will obtain a solid foundation in inter-national benefits and an enhanced under-standing of the differences in benefit pack-ages offered around the world. You can also earn continuing education credit from attending this certificate series.
General session topics include• Cross-Cultural/Diversity: The Power
of World Views • Developing a Global Benefits Strategy • International Health Care Systems
and Trends • International Retirement Systems and
Trends • Europe: Regional and Country Over-
view • Latin America: Regional and Country
Overview • Multinational Pooling and Offshore
Retirement Plans • Middle East/Africa: Regional and
Country Overview • Benefit Issues Relating to Interna-
tional Assignments • Case Studies and Open Forum • Asia Pacific: Regional and Country
Overview
employer’s Guide to health Care Reform, 2014 edition by Brian M. Pinheiro, Jean C. hemphill, Jonathan M. Calpas and Kurt R. Anderson
A comprehensive book designed to help employers in strategizing and updating their health and welfare benefit plans to comply with the Patient Protection and Af-fordable Care Act (ACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Step-by-step guidance to those trying to keep pace with rapid changes a f f e c t i n g h e a l t h benefit plans. De-tailed explanations are available con-cerning: • The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark
decision regarding ACA • Other legal challenges such as claims
brought by religious organizations seeking exemptions
• When a plan is “grandfathered” and how to keep it that way
• What types of subsidies and tax cred-its are available to employers
• Which plans and benefits are subject to new prohibitions on annual and lifetime limits
• How and when the new nondiscrimi-nation rules apply
• How employers can determine whether their coverage is adequate and affordable
• What new types of reporting are re-quired of health plans.
(2014) Aspen Publishers $319 (I.F. and ISCEBS Members: $309) Item #8978 www.ifebp.org/books.asp?8978
For this and other publications, please visit the International Foundation Bookstore at www.ifebp.org/bookstore.
Recorded Webcast—Developing and Implementing a successful Financial Wellness Program
One of the more important benefits being discussed in strategic benefit management today is financial wellness. The problem is what exactly is financial wellness and how is it being introduced in the workplace? In this informative 90-minute webcast, you will learn what financial wellness means to two different, diverse populations. These plan sponsors will share the hurdles, chal-lenges and details of building and deliver-ing an effective, dynamic program for their members and employees.
They will cover: • How to pick a provider • The impact on the bottom line, un-
derstanding the cost/benefit value proposition
• Step-by-step implementation • The importance of measuring results. Attendees in this webinar will take away
a virtual checklist of “dos and don’ts.” You will have an understanding of:• Whether your organization is a good
candidate to implement a financial wellness program
• What information you need to move forward in recommending or imple-menting a program.
Resources For You and Your employer
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healthy Mind, healthy Body
Employees of multinational DuPont are encouraged to recognize signs of emotional distress in co-workers’ behavior and offer a lis-tening ear or helping hand. The company’s ICU program, which stands for identify, connect and understand, has spread worldwide since 2012, with a five-minute video translated into seven lan-guages. The program takes a holistic approach to wellness, recog-nizing that emotional and physical health are linked. The National Institutes of Mental Health report one in four American adults has a diagnosable mental health disorder, but the American Psychiatric Foundation states only one-third of those seek help. The stigma associated with mental illness is a serious obstacle, but carefully worded program communications can help. While confidentiality issues make gauging program success difficult, PriMed Manage-ment Consulting Services notes the response to its educational program to be a hopeful sign.
Julie Cook Ramirez | Human Resource ExecutiveDecember 2013 | pp. 28-29 | 0164804
understanding Retirement Date Risk: Why saving a Little for a Long time May Be Riskier than You think
The value of compounding interest is a well-known driver for ex-panding assets and motivator for dedicated saving over the long term. Yet beyond the first ten years of saving, as one’s account in-creases, additional contributions have less effect on the balance, overshadowed by the impact of portfolio returns. The critical fac-tor is not the accumulated savings but the effect of market returns on those savings. The outcome is largely the result of returns in the later years. That entails significant sequencing risk. Bad returns late in the saving period is most risky during the wealth accumulation phase, while bad returns at the start of retirement is most risky for retirees. The more that a retirement savings plan depends on re-turns, the greater the risk and the effect on a planned retirement date.
Michael e. Kitces | Journal of Financial PlanningDecember 2013 | pp. 24-26 | 0164795
Views on the Value of Voluntary Workplace Benefits: Findings From the 2013 health and Voluntary Workplace Benefits survey
According to a 2013 survey by Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald & Associates, over three-fourths of employees say the benefit package is extremely or very important, with health benefits most highly valued, followed by retirement savings plans and dental and vision benefits. About one in five is unclear on whether they have certain types of noncore insurance, and fewer understand the payment arrangements. Advantages in purchasing voluntary benefits through an employer are widely recognized, with 90% seeing the cost advantage over an independent purchase and the same percentage seeing the ability to choose benefits as a plus. Portability and pay-ment by payroll deductions are other advantages. However, more than half see drawbacks in the need to pay the full cost of voluntary benefits and lack of vendor choice. Most appreciate the value of vol-untary benefits through an employer for those approaching retire-ment, particularly annuities, life insurance with survivor benefits, retirement planning benefits and long-term care insurance.
Paul Fronstin and Ruth helman | EBRI Notesnovember 2013 | pp. 14-21 | 0164761
Who Gets Retirement Plans and Why, 2012
Employees who are able to save for retirement are more likely to work for employers who sponsor retirement plans. Three in four who specifically want to save have access to pension plans, and 93% of those participate. The participation rate is similar regardless of employer size, with about eight in ten participating in small and large organizations offering access to retirement saving plans. Workers de-clining participation in large plans are remarkably similar to those choosing not to participate in small plans. Worker priorities correlate with an employer’s choice to sponsor a retirement plan. Among workers in their 20s in 2012 with access to retirement plans, 38% participated, in contrast to 56% of employees aged 55 to 64. A similar discrepancy holds for part-time versus full-time workers. Younger and lower income workers saved for goals other than retirement.
Peter Brady and Michael Bogdan | Pension BenefitsDecember 2013 | pp. 1-2 | 0164799
Articles in Review
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