How popular is the trend in the defined contribution approach to employee benefits?
Given the increased concern over health care costs, many employers are considering the defined contribution benefits approach. Under this type of funding, the employer agrees to a specified dollar amount (per employee or a percentage of payroll), rather than paying for specific benefits. According to a recent survey by Employee Benefit News, only 16% of the 1,000 participants are currently using the defined benefit approach and 47% are neither using nor considering the approach. At this point, the concept has received a lot of attention, but not much reaction among employers who are taking a wait and see attitude to this new concept in cost containment for health care. Return to Top What is the statute of limitations for COBRA? There is no statute of limitations for violations of COBRA regulations. The usual three year limitation on most IRS audits does not apply because there is no filing date to mark the beginning of the period. The only applicable limit is that excise taxes, once im
