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Revised Form 990 instructions available

The IRS has posted new instructions for Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, revising the April draft. Though the new version still is marked "draft," the IRS doesn't expect final instructions to change significantly. (GRIST, 19 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

Tax gross-ups face scrutiny

SEC disclosure rules have highlighted the prevalence of tax gross-ups, making them a new target for shareholder proposals. (GRIST, 18 Aug 2008, 9 pages) More  | Article 

2009 projected Internal Revenue Code limits

Mercer has projected 2009 IRS limits for qualified retirement plans, the saver's credit, Archer MSAs and qualified transportation fringe benefits. This article also summarizes 2009 HSA/HDHP amounts announced by the IRS in May. (GRIST, 18 Aug 2008, 3 pages) More  | Article 

IRS updates retirement plan correction program

An updated IRS correction program for retirement plans includes an array of new rules and enhancements. The revised Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System generally takes effect Jan. 1, 2009, but plan sponsors may apply it as of Sept. 2, 2008. (GRIST, 15 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

MA may raise the bar on fair-share testing

Massachusetts employers would face a higher bar to avoid "fair share contributions" under state's health reform law, if proposed regulations take effect. The proposal calls for employers to meet two quarterly fair-share tests, not one annual test. (GRIST, 14 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

Supreme Court spurns FMLA waiver case

Controversy over FMLA waivers will not get resolved by the Supreme Court, which declined to review an appeals court decision that these waivers must have court or DOL approval. But proposed changes to FMLA regulations could settle the waiver issue. (GRIST, 12 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

Unvested stock award dividends affect EPS

Companies that pay dividends or their equivalents on unvested stock awards may report reduced EPS under a recent FASB decision. Revisions to this GRIST add information about the potential EPS reduction. (GRIST, 12 Aug 2008, 2 pages) More  | Article 

Revisiting rules for underwater option exchanges

Depressed stock prices are prompting companies to explore ways of dealing with underwater stock options. This GRIST examines issues associated with one approach: canceling the underwater option and granting a new award through an option exchange. (GRIST, 11 Aug 2008, 14 pages) More  | Article  (US Premium)

IRS nixes frozen pension buyouts

Transferring sponsorship of a frozen pension plan to an unrelated company disqualifies the plan, unless the transaction is connected with the transfer of substantial business assets, operations or employees, the IRS has ruled. (GRIST, 6 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

MA lifts residency limits on same-sex marriage

Same-sex couples living in any state now can marry in Massachusetts, thanks to repeal of a 1913 law that had restricted marriages of nonstate residents. As a result, employers may see more employee requests for same-sex spousal benefits. (GRIST, 1 Aug 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

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What is GRIST?

GRIST is a family of products published by WRG lawyers and technical experts covering major legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues and developments affecting employee benefits, compensation, and human resource (HR) programs. GRIST provides notification and analysis in three forms depending on the complexity and urgency of the material. GRIST Alerts are short summaries published quickly as an event occurs or an issue emerges; GRIST Reports are overviews of an issue or event; and GRIST InDepths provide detailed analysis. GRIST is available on Mercer Select. Select members can receive GRIST via e-mail according to areas of interest.

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