Get an introduction to employee benefit plans: what they include and how are designed, administered and evaluated. Study the most common types of discretionary benefits, and learn how they are selected and administered. Explore legal requirements, administrative problems and available options, as well as government-mandated plans such as workers' compensation and Social Security. Examine important policy issues on sick leave, vacation, jury duty and leaves of absence, and learn how they are related to organizational culture and policy. Pay special attention to the effects of tax reform and other emerging developments in benefits planning.
Course Outline
Course Objectives
- Define the basic types of benefit plans, including health and welfare and retirement plans
- Understand how companies can use employee benefits to recruit, retain, reward and retire employees
- Analyze and discuss the importance of employee benefits in helping organizations achieve their business goals
- Determine what is needed to effectively and efficiently design, administer and communicate employee benefits plans
- Identify plans governed by ERISA and understand the basic ERISA requirements
- Understand the differences between various types of qualified plans and understand the basic qualification requirements
- Learn basic principles of nonqualified deferred compensation planning
- Gain familiarity with equity-based compensation
- Recognize issues created by health care and welfare benefits and retirement
What You Learn
- Management and planning
- Social Security, Medicare and other government programs
- Group insurance environment
- Life, disability and medical expense plans
- Managed care health insurance programs
- Consumer-directed plans and tax treatment
- Dental, long-term care and other plans
- Funding and group insurance rate-making
- Retirement plans
- Qualified plan distributions and loans
- Plan installation and administration
- Executive benefits and nonqualified deferred compensation plans
How You Learn
- Lectures
- Class discussions
Is This Course Right for Me?
This course is aimed at benefit managers and HR generalists looking to supplement their background in employee benefits.