Trends in Labor Force Participation: How Much is Due to Changes in Pensions?

PubMed Central

Rohwedder, Susann

2011-01-01

In the United States, beginning in the late 1980s there was a substantial increase in the labor force participation of men and women in their 60s. Over the same time period the type of pension plans offered by employers shifted strongly from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans. Defined benefit plans typically have optimal retirement ages embedded in their structure which induce early retirement, whereas defined contribution plans do not favor any particular retirement age. Based on panel data, this paper quantifies the increase in participation due to the change in pension structure. The main result is that the pension changes account for a considerable part of the increase, but other factors also made a contribution. PMID:21857886

26 CFR 1.401(l)-3 - Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... requirement of this paragraph (b). Thus, for example, if the form of a defined benefit plan's normal... the optional form (the “offset amount”). (D) Post-retirement cost-of-living adjustments—(1) In general... merely because it provides an automatic post-retirement cost-of-living adjustment that satisfies...

26 CFR 1.401(l)-3 - Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... of this paragraph (b). Thus, for example, if the form of a defined benefit plan's normal retirement... the optional form (the “offset amount”). (D) Post-retirement cost-of-living adjustments—(1) In general... merely because it provides an automatic post-retirement cost-of-living adjustment that satisfies...

Defined contribution: a part of our future.

PubMed Central

Baugh, Reginald F.

2003-01-01

Rising employer health care costs and consumer backlash against managed care are trends fostering the development of defined contribution plans. Defined contribution plans limit employer responsibility to a fixed financial contribution rather than a benefit program and dramatically increase consumer responsibility for health care decision making. Possible outcomes of widespread adoption of defined contribution plans are presented. PMID:12934869

Defined contribution health benefits.

PubMed

Fronstin, P

2001-03-01

This Issue Brief discusses the emerging issue of "defined contribution" (DC) health benefits. The term "defined contribution" is used to describe a wide variety of approaches to the provision of health benefits, all of which have in common a shift in the responsibility for payment and selection of health care services from employers to employees. DC health benefits often are mentioned in the context of enabling employers to control their outlay for health benefits by avoiding increases in health care costs. DC health benefits may also shift responsibility for choosing a health plan and the associated risks of choosing a plan from employers to employees. There are three primary reasons why some employers currently are considering some sort of DC approach. First, they are once again looking for ways to keep their health care cost increases in line with overall inflation. Second, some employers are concerned that the public "backlash" against managed care will result in new legislation, regulations, and litigation that will further increase their health care costs if they do not distance themselves from health care decisions. Third, employers have modified not only most employee benefit plans, but labor market practices in general, by giving workers more choice, control, and flexibility. DC-type health benefits have existed as cafeteria plans since the 1980s. A cafeteria plan gives each employee the opportunity to determine the allocation of his or her total compensation (within employer-defined limits) among various employee benefits (primarily retirement or health). Most types of DC health benefits currently being discussed could be provided within the existing employment-based health insurance system, with or without the use of cafeteria plans. They could also allow employees to purchase health insurance directly from insurers, or they could drive new technologies and new forms of risk pooling through which health care services are provided and financed. DC health benefits differ from DC retirement plans. Under a DC health plan, employees may face different premiums based on their personal health risk and perhaps other factors such as age and geographic location. Their ability to afford health insurance may depend on how premiums are regulated by the state and how much money their employer provides. In contrast, under a DC retirement plan, employers' contributions are based on the same percentage of income for all employees, but employees are not subject to paying different prices for the same investment.

Questions and answers on employee benefit issues.

PubMed

1994-06-01

This Issue Brief addresses 19 topics in the areas of pensions, health insurance, and other benefits. In addition to the topics listed below, the report includes data on the prevalence of benefits, tax incentives associated with benefits, lump-sum distributions, number of private pension plans, pension coverage rates, 401(k) plans, employer spending on group health insurance, self-insured health plans, employer initiatives to reduce health care costs, and employers' response to the retiree health benefits accounting rule, and flexible benefits plans. In 1992, U.S. employers (public and private) spent $629 billion for noncash benefits, representing nearly 18 percent of total compensation, excluding paid time off. In 1992, 71 percent of the 50.1 million individuals aged 55 and over received retirement benefits, including distributions from private and public pensions, annuities, individual retirement accounts, Keoghs, 401(k)s, and Social Security. Among the 76 percent of all private pension plan participants who participated in a single plan, 30 percent named a defined benefit plan as their pension plan type, 58 percent named a defined contribution plan as their pension plan type, and 12 percent did not know their plan type. Private and public pension funds held more than $4.6 trillion in assets at the end of 1993. The 1993 year-end assets are more than triple the asset level of 1983 (nominal terms). According to the Congressional Budget Office, U.S. expenditures on health care were expected to have reached $898 billion in 1993, up from $751.8 billion in 1991, an increase of 19.4 percent in nominal terms.

Which Teachers Choose a Defined Contribution Pension Plan? Evidence from the Florida Retirement System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chingos, Matthew M.; West, Martin R.

2015-01-01

Since 2002, public school teachers in Florida have been permitted to choose between a defined benefit (DB) and a defined contribution (DC) retirement plan. We exploit this unique policy environment to study new teachers' revealed preferences over pension plan structures. Roughly 30 percent of teachers hired between 2003 and 2008 selected the DC…

78 FR 53704 - Employee Retirement Benefit Plan Returns Required on Magnetic Media

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-30

... at (202) 622-7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Electronic filing of... Actuarial Information,'' and the Schedule MB, ``Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan and Certain Money... its successor). (ii) Multiemployer and certain money purchase plans. For multiemployer and certain...

Benefit or Burden? On the Intergenerational Inequity of Teacher Pension Plans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Backes, Ben; Goldhaber, Dan; Grout, Cyrus; Koedel, Cory; Ni, Shawn; Podgursky, Michael; Xiang, P. Brett; Xu, Zeyu

2016-01-01

Most public school teachers in the United States are enrolled in defined benefit (DB) pension plans. Using administrative microdata from four states, combined with national pension funding data, we show these plans have accumulated substantial unfunded liabilities--effectively debt--owing to previous plan operations. On average across 49 state…

26 CFR 1.401(l)-5 - Overall permitted disparity limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... fractions under Plan P as well as the employee's annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fractions... disparity rules apply to limit the disparity provided for a plan year if an employee benefits under more... the disparity provided for an employee's total years of service, either in a single plan or in more...

A National Study of the Net Benefits of State Pension Plans for Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Toutkoushian, Robert K.; Bathon, Justin M.; McCarthy, Martha M.

2011-01-01

Although benefits can be a sizable part of an educator's total compensation, there has been little scholarly inquiry into the state pension plans for educators. Despite the fact that all defined benefit plans rely on the same basic formula for calculating annual pensions, they vary across states in the multiplier used, the method for calculating…

75 FR 81456 - Hybrid Retirement Plans; Correction

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

... defined benefit plan. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) * * * (ii) * * * (A) In general. Except as provided in... benefit of participants who are younger than age 55 is expressed as the current balance of a hypothetical... annual compensation formula and a benefit that is based on the balance of a hypothetical account, then...

Incorporating Employee Heterogeneity into Default Rules for Retirement Plan Selection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goda, Gopi Shah; Manchester, Colleen Flaherty

2013-01-01

We study the effect of incorporating heterogeneity into default rules by examining the choice between retirement plans at a firm that transitioned from a defined benefit (DB) to a defined contribution (DC) plan. The default plan for existing employees varied discontinuously depending on their age. Employing regression discontinuity techniques,…

26 CFR 1.436-1 - Limits on benefits and benefit accruals under single employer defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

.../applicability date provisions. (3) Special rules for certain plans—(i) New plans. The limitations described in... with the opportunity to make a new election under which the form of benefit previously elected is modified, subject to applicable qualification requirements. A participant who makes such a new election is...

26 CFR 1.436-1 - Limits on benefits and benefit accruals under single employer defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

.../applicability date provisions. (3) Special rules for certain plans—(i) New plans. The limitations described in... with the opportunity to make a new election under which the form of benefit previously elected is modified, subject to applicable qualification requirements. A participant who makes such a new election is...

26 CFR 1.436-1 - Limits on benefits and benefit accruals under single employer defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

.../applicability date provisions. (3) Special rules for certain plans—(i) New plans. The limitations described in... with the opportunity to make a new election under which the form of benefit previously elected is modified, subject to applicable qualification requirements. A participant who makes such a new election is...

76 FR 2142 - Employee Benefits Security Administration

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-12

...Notice is hereby given that the Employee Benefits Security Administration will hold a hearing to consider issues attendant to adopting a regulation defining when a person is considered to be a ``fiduciary'' by reason of giving investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a plan's participants and beneficiaries.

An Introduction to Teacher Retirement Benefits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, Janet S.

2010-01-01

Like most other state and local government employees, teachers participate primarily in defined benefit pension plans whose benefits are largely based on final average salaries and length of service. Such pensions have been replaced in many private sector firms by defined contribution pensions. A number of questions have arisen about the…

Pension Plans at Risk: A Potential Hazard of Deficit Reduction and Tax Reform.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Logue, Dennis E.

The most widely used pension plans in the United States are defined-benefit plans under which employers pay workers a fixed pension, usually a percentage of their final salaries. Defined-contribution pension plans, under which employers and employees set aside funds that are invested for the employees, are growing in popularity and are…

Labor Market Effects of Pensions and Implications for Teachers. Conference Paper 2009-06

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Friedberg, Leora; Turner, Sarah

2009-01-01

While the pension plan landscape has changed remarkably over the last two decades, with most private-sector workers seeing a shift from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) plans, DB pension plans remain the overwhelming norm for K-12 teachers employed by state and local governments. With DB plans, teachers typically receive minimal…

The Affordable Care Act and health insurance exchanges: effects on the pediatric dental benefit.

PubMed

Orynich, C Ashley; Casamassimo, Paul S; Seale, N Sue; Reggiardo, Paul; Litch, C Scott

2015-01-01

To examine the relationship between state health insurance Exchange selection and pediatric dental benefit design, regulation and cost. Medical and dental plans were analyzed across three types of state health insurance Exchanges: State-based (SB), State-partnered (SP), and Federally-facilitated (FF). Cost-analysis was completed for 10,427 insurance plans, and health policy expert interviews were conducted. One-way ANOVA compared the cost-sharing structure of stand-alone dental plans (SADP). T-test statistics compared differences in average total monthly pediatric premium costs. No causal relationships were identified between Exchange selection and the pediatric dental benefit's design, regulation or cost. Pediatric medical and dental coverage offered through the embedded plan design exhibited comparable average total monthly premium costs to aggregate cost estimates for the separately purchased SADP and traditional medical plan (P=0.11). Plan designs and regulatory policies demonstrated greater correlation between the SP and FF Exchanges, as compared to the SB Exchange. Parameters defining the pediatric dental benefit are complex and vary across states. Each state Exchange was subject to barriers in improving the quality of the pediatric dental benefit due to a lack of defined, standardized policy parameters and further legislative maturation is required.

An Introduction to Teacher Retirement Benefits. Conference Paper 2009-01

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, Janet

2009-01-01

Like most other state and local government employees, teachers participate primarily in defined benefit pension plans whose benefits are based on final average salaries and length of service. Such pensions have been replaced in many private sector firms by defined contribution pensions. A number of questions have arisen about the feasibility and…

26 CFR 1.412(c)(2)-1 - Valuation of plan assets; reasonable actuarial valuation methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... valuation method must take into account fair market value by making use of the— (i) Fair market value... market value (under paragraph (c) of this section). (4) Defined benefit plans. (i) To satisfy the... changes in the fair market value of plan assets. The funding of plan benefits and the charges and credits...

26 CFR 1.412(c)(2)-1 - Valuation of plan assets; reasonable actuarial valuation methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... valuation method must take into account fair market value by making use of the— (i) Fair market value... market value (under paragraph (c) of this section). (4) Defined benefit plans. (i) To satisfy the... changes in the fair market value of plan assets. The funding of plan benefits and the charges and credits...

26 CFR 1.412(c)(2)-1 - Valuation of plan assets; reasonable actuarial valuation methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... valuation method must take into account fair market value by making use of the— (i) Fair market value... market value (under paragraph (c) of this section). (4) Defined benefit plans. (i) To satisfy the... changes in the fair market value of plan assets. The funding of plan benefits and the charges and credits...

An Individual Perspective on Risk in a DC (Usually 401(k)) Environment.

PubMed

Rappaport, Anna M

2016-01-01

Traditional benefit packages once typically included defined benefit (DB) pension plans and focused on identifying the key financial risks facing employees, deciding which were more serious and developing strategies to protect employees from those risks. Today, defined contribution (DC) plans often are the primary retirement security vehicle, and much of the risk protection has been taken out of the benefits package. This article focuses on some of the risks facing employees, identifies which are covered by the typical 401(k) plan and which are not and provides ideas for managing risks not covered directly by the typical plan. There is substantial focus on long-term disability and longevity. The discussion spans savings and payout periods and suggests some ideas for the future, including greater integration of 401(k) plans with risk protection approaches. The article does not focus on investment risk and options.

The shift from defined benefit pensions to 401(k) plans and the pension assets of the baby boom cohort

PubMed Central

Poterba, James; Venti, Steven; Wise, David A.

2007-01-01

The rise of 401(k) plans and the decline of defined benefit plans will have an important effect on the wealth of future retirees. Changing demographic structure also will affect the aggregate stock of retirement wealth. We project the stock of assets held in retirement plans and the average retirement saving of retirees through 2040. Our projections show large increases in wealth at retirement, especially if the returns on corporate equities are comparable with historical returns. Retirement wealth will grow, however, even if equity returns fall substantially below their historical level. PMID:17686989

29 CFR 4219.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... benefits means the amount by which the present value of a plan's vested nonforfeitable benefits (as defined... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION WITHDRAWAL LIABILITY FOR MULTIEMPLOYER... as of which substantially all employers have withdrawn.Nonforfeitable benefit means a benefit...

Making a successful transition to cash balance. Using employee choice and financial education.

PubMed

Scahill, P; Wiley, P

2000-01-01

As employee work patterns change, the need for flexible plan design has increased. Hybrid plans such as cash balance plans offer a plan design variation that incorporates elements of the traditional defined benefit plan as well as those of defined contribution plans. This article examines plan design trends and discusses both negative and positive reactions to those trends. Finally, the solution of offering choice to plan participants is suggested, and the issues that must be considered are discussed.

26 CFR 1.401(a)(17)-1 - Limitation on annual compensation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) of this section provides rules for determining post-effective-date accrued benefits under the fresh.... For example, if a plan has a plan year beginning July 1, 1994, and ending June 30, 1995, the annual... reduction in the 12-month period. For example, if a defined benefit plan provides that the accrual for each...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-6 - Contributory defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for all employees with plan year...) In general. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies either of... employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be...

20 CFR 1002.163 - What types of health plans are covered by USERRA?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What types of health plans are covered by USERRA? 1002.163 Section 1002.163 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR VETERANS... by USERRA? (a) USERRA defines a health plan to include an insurance policy or contract, medical or...

How Will Teachers Fare in Rhode Island's New Hybrid Pension Plan? Public Pension Project Brief 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Richard W.; Butrica, Barbara A.; Haaga, Owen; Southgate, Benjamin G.

2014-01-01

Hybrid retirement plans that combine defined benefit pensions with 401(k) type, defined contribution accounts can play important roles in the reform of public-sector pensions. Summarizing results from our longer report ["How Will Rhode Island's New Hybrid Pension Plan Affect Teachers? A Report of the Public Pension Project" (2014)], this…

Save More Tomorrow: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Employee Saving.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thaler, Richard H.; Benartzi, Shlomo

2004-01-01

As firms switch from defined-benefit plans to defined-contribution plans, employees bear more responsibility for making decisions about how much to save. The employees who fail to join the plan or who participate at a very low level appear to be saving at less than the predicted life cycle savings rates. Behavioral explanations for this behavior…

26 CFR 1.415(b)-1 - Limitations for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... retirement benefits, such as preretirement disability benefits not in excess of the qualified disability... benefit that is paid in a form that is not a straight life annuity to take into account the inclusion in...

34 CFR 106.56 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 106.56 Section 106.56 Education... benefits. (a) Fringe benefits defined. For purposes of this part, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or...

34 CFR 106.56 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 106.56 Section 106.56 Education... benefits. (a) Fringe benefits defined. For purposes of this part, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or...

34 CFR 106.56 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 106.56 Section 106.56 Education... benefits. (a) Fringe benefits defined. For purposes of this part, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or...

34 CFR 106.56 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 106.56 Section 106.56 Education... benefits. (a) Fringe benefits defined. For purposes of this part, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or...

34 CFR 106.56 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 106.56 Section 106.56 Education... benefits. (a) Fringe benefits defined. For purposes of this part, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or...

The False Promise of Public Pensions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hess, Frederick M.; Squire, Juliet P.

2010-01-01

The vast majority of public employees--including teachers--are enrolled in defined-benefit pension plans. These plans are usually the product of state legislation that determines eligibility, benefit formulas, employer and employee contributions, and how payments will be calculated when an employee retires or leaves the system. Once an employee…

Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

Science.gov Websites

Enrollment Retiree News View All Headlines Legislation Programs Defined Contribution Defined Benefit Health ; Brochures Division Headlines Get My RIN ADA Accessibility Retiree Health Plan Advisory Board Welcome to and TRS CAFRs are now available online. 2017 CAFR Health and Wellness Services The Coalition Health

18 CFR 1317.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 1317... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

24 CFR 3.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 3.525 Section 3... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

24 CFR 3.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 3.525 Section 3... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

45 CFR 2555.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Fringe benefits. 2555.525 Section 2555.525 Public... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

13 CFR 113.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Fringe benefits. 113.525 Section... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

24 CFR 3.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 3.525 Section 3... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

38 CFR 23.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 23.525... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

13 CFR 113.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Fringe benefits. 113.525 Section... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

45 CFR 2555.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Fringe benefits. 2555.525 Section 2555.525 Public... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

18 CFR 1317.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 1317... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

13 CFR 113.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fringe benefits. 113.525 Section... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

18 CFR 1317.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2013-04-01 2012-04-01 true Fringe benefits. 1317... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

18 CFR 1317.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 1317... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

24 CFR 3.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 3.525 Section 3... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

38 CFR 23.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 23.525... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

45 CFR 2555.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Fringe benefits. 2555.525 Section 2555.525 Public... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

45 CFR 2555.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Fringe benefits. 2555.525 Section 2555.525 Public... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

24 CFR 3.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 3.525 Section 3... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

38 CFR 23.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 23.525... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

18 CFR 1317.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Fringe benefits. 1317... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

13 CFR 113.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Fringe benefits. 113.525 Section... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

38 CFR 23.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 23.525... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

13 CFR 113.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fringe benefits. 113.525 Section... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

38 CFR 23.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Fringe benefits. 23.525... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

45 CFR 2555.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Fringe benefits. 2555.525 Section 2555.525 Public... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

14 CFR § 1253.525 - Fringe benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Fringe benefits. § 1253.525 Section Â... benefits. (a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any...

32 CFR 199.8 - Double coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) Introduction. (1) In enacting TRICARE legislation, Congress clearly has intended that TRICARE be the secondary payer to all health benefit, insurance and third-party payer plans. 10 U.S.C. 1079(j)(1) specifically... plan offered by a third-party payer (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1095(h)(1)) to the extent that the benefit...

32 CFR 199.8 - Double coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Introduction. (1) In enacting TRICARE legislation, Congress clearly has intended that TRICARE be the secondary payer to all health benefit, insurance and third-party payer plans. 10 U.S.C. 1079(j)(1) specifically... plan offered by a third-party payer (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1095(h)(1)) to the extent that the benefit...

Redefining Teacher Pensions: Strategically Defined Benefits for New Teachers and Fiscal Sustainability for All

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Raegen T.

2011-01-01

This paper offers three constructive recommendations that apply specifically to public school teachers, the largest group of state and local government employees, and one of special importance to the long-term economic competitiveness of the country. The recommendations embrace and protect existing defined-benefit pension plans, which are under…

78 FR 15559 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of the Multi-State Plan Program for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-11

.... Based on initial comparative research, it appears that the proposed OPM-selected EHB-benchmark plans are... include any discriminatory benefit design elements as defined under 45 CFR 156.125. Response: In response... OPM-selected benchmarks and substitutions not be allowed in States having standard benefit designs...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-6 - Contributory defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for all... requirements—(1) In general. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies... employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-6 - Contributory defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for all... requirements—(1) In general. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies... employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-6 - Contributory defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for all... requirements—(1) In general. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies... employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-6 - Contributory defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for all... requirements—(1) In general. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies... employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be...

26 CFR 1.401(e)-5 - Limitation of contribution and benefit bases to first $100,000 of annual compensation in case of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... benefits under the plan on account of such integration. See also subsections (a)(5), (a)(15), and (d)(6) of...) for a special prohibition against integration. (c) Application of nondiscrimination requirement. (1...)(6) and all other integration requirements applicable to qualified defined contribution plans. The...

The Effects of Defined Benefit Pension Incentives and Working Conditions on Teacher Retirement Decisions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Furgeson, Joshua; Strauss, Robert P.; Vogt, William B.

2006-01-01

The retirement behavior of Pennsylvania public school teachers in 1997-98 and 1998-99, a period when state early retirement incentives were temporarily increased, is modeled using a choice framework that emphasizes both pecuniary and nonpecuniary factors of the retirement decision under a defined benefit retirement plan. We find each to have large…

The golden goose in the crosshairs: the transition to defined contribution pension plans in the public sector: unintended consequences.

PubMed

Johnson, Brian R

2013-01-01

State, county, and local governments are currently facing a myriad of economic issues, based on shrinking tax revenues combined with increased expenditures. Of these, the costs related to defined benefit pension plans are one of the most serious issues facing many public employers. Through a comprehensive review of the existing literature, this article examines how the shift from the defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) pension plan has the potential to enhance levels of labor unrest due to changes in union militancy, bargaining skills deficits, intra-organizational conflict, and issues related to economic trade-offs. Besides the capacity for immediate and deleterious ramifications in the collective bargaining process, the transition to the DC pension also presents some potentially negative consequences related to human resource management, including changes in the psychological contract, recruitment strategies, employee turnover, and changes in retirement patterns. Recommendations to improve labor relations and human resource management practices in the DC pension environment are also explored.

26 CFR 1.430(i)-1 - Special rules for plans in at-risk status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... to determining the funding target and making other computations for certain defined benefit plans... is in at-risk status for a plan year, including the determination of a plan's funding target attainment percentage and at-risk funding target attainment percentage. Paragraph (c) of this section...

26 CFR 1.430(i)-1 - Special rules for plans in at-risk status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... to determining the funding target and making other computations for certain defined benefit plans... is in at-risk status for a plan year, including the determination of a plan's funding target attainment percentage and at-risk funding target attainment percentage. Paragraph (c) of this section...

26 CFR 1.430(i)-1 - Special rules for plans in at-risk status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... to determining the funding target and making other computations for certain defined benefit plans... is in at-risk status for a plan year, including the determination of a plan's funding target attainment percentage and at-risk funding target attainment percentage. Paragraph (c) of this section...

26 CFR 1.430(i)-1 - Special rules for plans in at-risk status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... to determining the funding target and making other computations for certain defined benefit plans... is in at-risk status for a plan year, including the determination of a plan's funding target attainment percentage and at-risk funding target attainment percentage. Paragraph (c) of this section...

Patient protection and Affordable Care Act; data collection to support standards related to essential health benefits; recognition of entities for the accreditation of qualified health plans. Final rule.

PubMed

2012-07-20

This final rule establishes data collection standards necessary to implement aspects of section 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to define essential health benefits. This final rule outlines the data on applicable plans to be collected from certain issuers to support the definition of essential health benefits. This final rule also establishes a process for the recognition of accrediting entities for purposes of certification of qualified health plans.

Responsibility for retirement planning shifts to employees.

PubMed

Van Gelder, N

1994-08-01

In recent years, organizations have shifted away from offering their employees defined benefit plans that promise specified income streams to employees when they retire. Instead, they are offering employees defined contribution plans, which rely on investment performance, as directed by plan participants, to generate sufficient retirement income. Healthcare financial managers who work in organizations that offer retirement plans for their employees find themselves increasingly prevailed upon to play the role of instructor to plan participants. While some financial managers may not relish the role, the more successful financial managers are at helping plan participants achieve their retirement income goals, the better the chance of healthcare organizations avoiding future liability problems.

The Addiction Benefits Scorecard: A Framework to Promote Health Insurer Accountability and Support Consumer Engagement.

PubMed

Danovitch, Itai; Kan, David

2017-01-01

Health care insurance plans covering treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) offer a wide range of benefits. Distinctions between health plan benefits are confusing, and consumers making selections may not adequately understand the characteristics or significance of the choices they have. The California Society of Addiction Medicine sought to help consumers make informed decisions about plan selections by providing education on the standard of care for SUD and presenting findings from an expert analysis of selected health plans. We developed an assessment framework, based on criteria endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, to rate the quality of SUD treatment benefits offered by a sample of insurance plans. We convened an expert panel of physicians to rate 16 policies of 10 insurance providers across seven categories. Data from published resources for 2014 insurance plans were extracted, categorized, and rated. The framework and ratings were summarized in a consumer-facing white paper. We found significant heterogeneity in benefits across comparable plans, as well as variation in the characterization and clarity of published services. This article presents findings and implications of the project. There is a pressing need to define requirements for SUD benefits and to hold health plans accountable for offering quality services in accordance with those benefits.

26 CFR 1.430(i)-1 - Special rules for plans in at-risk status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... determining the funding target and making other computations for certain defined benefit plans that are in at... status for a plan year, including the determination of a plan's funding target attainment percentage and at-risk funding target attainment percentage. Paragraph (c) of this section describes the funding...

42 CFR 422.252 - Terminology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... supplemental benefit, as described at § 422.266(b)(1). MA-PD plan means an MA local or regional plan that...). MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium is the MA-PD plan base beneficiary premium, defined... and the national average bid (as described in § 422.256(c)) less the amount of rebate the MA-PD plan...

42 CFR 422.252 - Terminology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... supplemental benefit, as described at § 422.266(b)(1). MA-PD plan means an MA local or regional plan that...). MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium is the MA-PD plan base beneficiary premium, defined... and the national average bid (as described in § 422.256(c)) less the amount of rebate the MA-PD plan...

42 CFR 422.252 - Terminology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... supplemental benefit, as described at § 422.266(b)(1). MA-PD plan means an MA local or regional plan that...). MA monthly prescription drug beneficiary premium is the MA-PD plan base beneficiary premium, defined... and the national average bid (as described in § 422.256(c)) less the amount of rebate the MA-PD plan...

Facility Master Plans: An Essential First Step in the Building Development Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wickerham, Wendell E.

2002-01-01

Discusses the importance of the facility master plan (FMP) in defining project scope and validating or challenging the work of consultants. Offers three case studies illustrating how facility master plans averted problems or led to unanticipated benefits for the colleges involved. (EV)

26 CFR 1.436-1 - Limits on benefits and benefit accruals under single employer defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... information regarding a social security leveling optional form of benefit) is needed to make that... (plus any social security supplements described in the last sentence of section 411(a)(9) payable to the... rule for forms which include social security leveling or a refund of employee contributions. For an...

Employer involvement in defined contribution investment education.

PubMed

Blau, G; VanDerhei, J L

2000-01-01

In this paper the authors consider the personnel problems that may arise for defined contribution plan sponsors if major market corrections cause older employees to delay retirement beyond previous expectations. We move from that basic premise to argue that, given the continued evolution from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) retirement plans, employers need to be more "proactive" in educating their employees about their retirement planning. A human resources perspective is used to support this argument, apart from and in addition to legal considerations such as ERISA Section 404(c). Specifics of employer involvement and its place as a component of an organization's culture are discussed. Finally, recommendations are given for employers to consider.

20 CFR 323.6 - Treatment of benefit payments under a nongovernmental plan for purposes of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT... are not compensation as defined in section 1(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and...

20 CFR 323.6 - Treatment of benefit payments under a nongovernmental plan for purposes of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT... are not compensation as defined in section 1(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and...

20 CFR 323.6 - Treatment of benefit payments under a nongovernmental plan for purposes of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT... are not compensation as defined in section 1(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and...

20 CFR 323.6 - Treatment of benefit payments under a nongovernmental plan for purposes of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT... are not compensation as defined in section 1(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and...

20 CFR 323.6 - Treatment of benefit payments under a nongovernmental plan for purposes of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT... are not compensation as defined in section 1(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and...

78 FR 75939 - Bay Delta Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Community Conservation Plan, Sacramento, CA...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-13

... patterns, including breeding, feeding, and sheltering (50 CFR 17.3(c)). NMFS defines ``harm'' to include... impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding, or... permit in recognition of the conservation benefits provided to them under a habitat conservation plan...

Productivity Gainsharing--A Scanlon Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kovac, James S.

1986-01-01

Provides an overview to an organization which is considering the initiation of a plan to share gains with its workers. Defines productivity, explains the benefits of improved productivity, examines a number of approaches to sharing productivity gains with workers, compares individual incentive plans with gain sharing plans, and finally, briefly,…

General methodology: Costing, budgeting, and techniques for benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stretchberry, D. M.; Hein, G. F.

1972-01-01

The general concepts of costing, budgeting, and benefit-cost ratio and cost-effectiveness analysis are discussed. The three common methods of costing are presented. Budgeting distributions are discussed. The use of discounting procedures is outlined. The benefit-cost ratio and cost-effectiveness analysis is defined and their current application to NASA planning is pointed out. Specific practices and techniques are discussed, and actual costing and budgeting procedures are outlined. The recommended method of calculating benefit-cost ratios is described. A standardized method of cost-effectiveness analysis and long-range planning are also discussed.

20 CFR 323.1 - Introduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.1 Introduction. (a) This part defines the phrase nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance and sets forth the procedure by which...

20 CFR 323.1 - Introduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.1 Introduction. (a) This part defines the phrase nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance and sets forth the procedure by which...

20 CFR 323.1 - Introduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.1 Introduction. (a) This part defines the phrase nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance and sets forth the procedure by which...

20 CFR 323.1 - Introduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.1 Introduction. (a) This part defines the phrase nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance and sets forth the procedure by which...

20 CFR 323.1 - Introduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.1 Introduction. (a) This part defines the phrase nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance and sets forth the procedure by which...

Value-focused framework for defining landscape-scale conservation targets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Romañach, Stephanie; Benscoter, Allison M.; Brandt, Laura A.

2016-01-01

Conservation of natural resources can be challenging in a rapidly changing world and require collaborative efforts for success. Conservation planning is the process of deciding how to protect, conserve, and enhance or minimize loss of natural and cultural resources. Establishing conservation targets (also called indicators or endpoints), the measurable expressions of desired resource conditions, can help with site-specific up to landscape-scale conservation planning. Using conservation targets and tracking them through time can deliver benefits such as insight into ecosystem health and providing early warnings about undesirable trends. We describe an approach using value-focused thinking to develop statewide conservation targets for Florida. Using such an approach allowed us to first identify stakeholder objectives and then define conservation targets to meet those objectives. Stakeholders were able to see how their shared efforts fit into the broader conservation context, and also anticipate the benefits of multi-agency and -organization collaboration. We developed an iterative process for large-scale conservation planning that included defining a shared framework for the process, defining the conservation targets themselves, as well as developing management and monitoring strategies for evaluation of their effectiveness. The process we describe is applicable to other geographies where multiple parties are seeking to implement collaborative, large-scale biological planning.

77 FR 66915 - Amendment of Prohibited Payment Option Under Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plan of Plan Sponsor...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-08

... contains regulatory documents #0;having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed #0.... These regulations affect administrators, employers, participants, and beneficiaries of such a plan... of the monthly amount paid under a single life annuity (plus any social security supplements...

77 FR 37349 - Amendment of Prohibited Payment Option Under Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plan of Plan Sponsor...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-21

... schedule, timing, commencement, medium of distribution (for example, in cash or in kind), election rights... the plan if certain specified conditions are satisfied. These proposed regulations would affect... under a single life annuity (plus any social security supplements described in the last sentence of...

29 CFR 825.209 - Maintenance of employee benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... maintain the employee's coverage under any group health plan (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of... of “group health plan” is set forth in § 825.800. For purposes of FMLA, the term “group health plan... not increase in the event the employment relationship terminates. (b) The same group health plan...

26 CFR 301.6057-1 - Employee retirement benefit plans; identification of participant with deferred vested retirement...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... subject to forfeiture by reason of an event or condition occurring subsequent to the close of the plan... considered to separate from service covered by the plan solely because the participant incurs a break in... the second of two consecutive one-year breaks in service (as defined in the plan for vesting...

75 FR 64197 - Additional Rules Regarding Hybrid Retirement Plans

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

... defined benefit plan to provide that an employee who has completed at least 3 years of service has a... are the 3 percent method of section 411(b)(1)(A), the 133\\1/3\\ percent rule of section 411(b)(1)(B... plan satisfies the requirements of the 133\\1/3\\ percent rule for a particular plan year if, under the...

Low energy stage study. Volume 4: Cost benefits analysis and recommendations. [orbital launching of space shuttle payloads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

The costs and benefits of existing/planned systems, new propulsion concepts, and adaptations of existing/planned systems (as supported by Orbiter interface requirements and operations requirements) were quantified. Scenarios of these propulsion approaches were established which accommodate the low energy regime as defined by the new low energy payload mission model. These scenarios were screened on a cost and then a benefits basis. A propulsion approach comprising existing/planned systems and a new propulsion concept were selected as the most cost effective approach to accommodate the model payloads and the low energy regime they represent. Key cost drivers and sensitivity trends were identified. All costs were derived in 1977 dollars.

Did the Great Recession influence retirement plans?

PubMed

Szinovacz, Maximiliane E; Davey, Adam; Martin, Lauren

2015-04-01

The recent recession constitutes one of the macro forces that may have influenced workers' retirement plans. We evaluate a multilevel model that addresses the influence of macro-, meso-, and micro-level factors on retirement plans, changes in these plans, and expected retirement age. Using data from Waves 8 and 9 of the Health and Retirement Study (N=2,618), we find that individuals with defined benefit plans are more prone to change toward plans to stop work before the stock market declined, whereas the opposite trend holds for those without pensions. Debts, ability to reduce work hours, and firm unionization also influenced retirement plans. Findings suggest retirement planning education may be particularly important for workers without defined pensions, especially in times of economic volatility. © The Author(s) 2014.

A Golden Opportunity to Review Higher Education Retiree Health Benefits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powers, Ed; Straker, Garry

2004-01-01

Many higher education institutions today are struggling with the costs of their retiree health plans. The answer to controlling these costs may come in the form of a defined contribution retiree health plan for both current and future retirees. This article examines how such a plan can maximize availability of Medicare Part D prescription…

Future pension accounting changes: implications for hospitals.

PubMed

Weld, Tim; Klein, Gina

2011-05-01

Proposed rules in accounting for defined benefit plans may affect hospitals' statement of operations and affect the time, effort, and cost to comply with periodic financial reporting requirements. The new standard would require immediate recognition of the full amount of plan amendments in determining operating income. Hospitals should consider the role of pension plans in their compensation programs.

The ongoing growth of defined contribution and individual account plans: issues and implications.

PubMed

Miller, Lynn

2002-03-01

This Issue Brief discusses the implications of the growth of defined contribution (DC) retirement plans and individual account plans and the subsequent impact on employers, employees, and retirement planning. It also presents a look at data regarding contributions to retirement plans, employer trends regarding retirement plans, and the potential impact of changes to the federal Social Security retirement system. The findings and data in this article are drawn from material presented at a policy forum sponsored by the Employee Benefit Research Institute Education and Research Fund (EBRI-ERF) Dec. 7, 2001, in Washington, DC. Today, prospective retirees need to be able to generate about 75 percent of their current income to maintain their standard of living in retirement, up from 63 percent of their income in 1997, according to the Replacement Ratio Study, by Aon Corporation and Georgia State University. However, the most recent data show a decline in the percentage of income that average employees are saving. While it is too early to quantify, it does not appear that the retirement provisions in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) are strongly influencing the movement to DC plans. However, employers appear very interested in the provisions of the new law with regard to both defined benefit (DB) retirement plans and DC plans. The number of large employers offering DB plans continues to decline, from 85 percent in 1990 to 73 percent in 2000, according to the Hewitt study. Although employers may have little influence over some factors that affect participation rates in voluntary retirement plans, they have various options to increase participation rates, such as "matching" employee contributions, offering loan features, and providing education to employees about the plans.

20 CFR 375.7 - Operating regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Operating regulations. 375.7 Section 375.7 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD EMERGENCY REGULATIONS PLAN OF OPERATION DURING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY § 375.7 Operating regulations. (a) Retirement claims. (1) In a national emergency as defined in...

20 CFR 375.7 - Operating regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Operating regulations. 375.7 Section 375.7 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD EMERGENCY REGULATIONS PLAN OF OPERATION DURING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY § 375.7 Operating regulations. (a) Retirement claims. (1) In a national emergency as defined in...

26 CFR 1.411(b)(5)-1 - Reduction in rate of benefit accrual under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... satisfy the age discrimination rules under section 411(b)(1)(H). Paragraph (c) of this section describes... balance of a hypothetical account maintained for the participant if the accumulated benefit of the... meaning of § 1.411(d)-3(g)(6) that is contingent on a participant's severance from employment and...

26 CFR 1.411(b)(5)-1 - Reduction in rate of benefit accrual under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... satisfy the age discrimination rules under section 411(b)(1)(H). Paragraph (c) of this section describes... balance of a hypothetical account maintained for the participant if the accumulated benefit of the... meaning of § 1.411(d)-3(g)(6) that is contingent on a participant's severance from employment and...

Shifting responsibility to workers: the future of retirement adequacy in the United States.

PubMed

Steinberg, Allen; Lucas, Lori

2004-01-01

While many 401(k) participants at large companies can expect replacement of nearly 100% of preretirement income, not all workers participate in their 401(k) plan. Moreover, the authors show that even among participants, the extent of retirement preparedness depends on defined benefit (DB) plan coverage and retiree medical benefit generosity. Given recent trends in the elimination of DB plans and retiree medical subsidies and the voluntary nature of 401(k) participation, retirement income responsibility is increasingly shifting to workers. The authors discuss how employers might help workers meet their retirement income needs in this changing environment.

29 CFR 2570.154 - Filing and contents of petition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... is an employee welfare benefit plan as defined at section 3(1) of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1002(1)) and 29... Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974...

Corporate restructuring--strategic planning and redesign of employee benefits.

PubMed

Macey, S J

1996-12-01

Many intricate legal, actuarial, design and fiduciary issues arise during corporate restructuring. It is critical to create a process approach that clearly defines and evaluates the human resource and benefits issues that are involved, giving consideration to legal and regulatory, operational, administrative, financial and labor-related concerns.

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-8 - Cross-testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... of rate groups; and (B) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the plan satisfies one... tests for nondiscrimination based on individual equivalent accrual or allocation rates determined under... satisfied on a design basis. (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-8 - Cross-testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... of rate groups; and (B) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the plan satisfies one... tests for nondiscrimination based on individual equivalent accrual or allocation rates determined under... satisfied on a design basis. (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-8 - Cross-testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... of rate groups; and (B) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the plan satisfies one... tests for nondiscrimination based on individual equivalent accrual or allocation rates determined under... satisfied on a design basis. (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-8 - Cross-testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... of rate groups; and (B) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the plan satisfies one... tests for nondiscrimination based on individual equivalent accrual or allocation rates determined under... satisfied on a design basis. (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined...

26 CFR 1.403(b)-10 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... present value of an accrual under a nonqualified defined benefit plan also apply for purposes of... transferred as a continuation of a pro rata portion of the participant's or beneficiary's interest in the section 403(b) plan (for example, a pro rata portion of the participant's or beneficiary's interest in any...

Setting the Record Straight: Retirement Security for Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corcoran, Bruce

2012-01-01

The landscape of public education retirement plans is in an upheaval. A variety of economic, demographic, and political factors make it increasingly difficult for defined-benefit pension plans alone to provide educators with an adequate retirement. As a result, for the nearly seven million educators in America's public primary and secondary…

Displacement, Outplacement, or Inplacement? Options for Business and Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiltzius, Thomas J.

This report considers the differences among displacement, outplacement, and inplacement and looks at the risks, benefits, and costs of each. Displacement is defined as the termination of employment with little attention given to corporate or individual needs. Outplacement is defined as the pre-planned management of employee termination, addressing…

Efficiency and Equity in the Time Pattern of Teacher Pension Benefits: An Analysis of Four State Systems. Working Paper 2007-01

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costrell, Robert M.; Podgursky, Michael J.

2007-01-01

Defined Benefit pension plans often generate odd time patterns of benefits. One typical pattern exhibits low accrual in early years, accelerating in mid-late years, followed by dramatic decline, or even negative returns in years that are relatively young for retirement. We consider four states for specific analysis: Arkansas, Missouri, California…

[Generalization of the results of clinical studies through the analysis of subgroups].

PubMed

Costa, João; Fareleira, Filipa; Ascensão, Raquel; Vaz Carneiro, António

2012-01-01

Subgroup analysis in clinical trials are usually performed to define the potential heterogeneity of treatment effect in relation with the baseline risk, physiopathology, practical application of therapy or the under-utilization in clinical practice of effective interventions due to uncertainties of its benefit/risk ratio. When appropriately planned, subgroup analysis are a valid methodology the define benefits in subgroups of patients, thus providing good quality evidence to support clinical decision making. However, in order to be correct, subgroup analysis should be defined a priori, done in small numbers, should be fully reported and, most important, must endure statistical tests for interaction. In this paper we present an example of the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis, in which the benefits of an intervention (the higher the fracture risk is, the better the benefit is) with a specific agent (bazedoxifene) was only disclosed after a post-hoc analysis of the initial global trial sample.

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-12 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... annuity means an annuity payable in equal installments for the life of the employee that terminates upon... §§ 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13. Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means a defined benefit... employees means employees of a prior employer who become employed by the employer in a transaction between...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-12 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... annuity means an annuity payable in equal installments for the life of the employee that terminates upon... §§ 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13. Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means a defined benefit... employees means employees of a prior employer who become employed by the employer in a transaction between...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-12 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... annuity means an annuity payable in equal installments for the life of the employee that terminates upon... §§ 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13. Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means a defined benefit... employees means employees of a prior employer who become employed by the employer in a transaction between...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-12 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... annuity means an annuity payable in equal installments for the life of the employee that terminates upon... §§ 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13. Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means a defined benefit... employees means employees of a prior employer who become employed by the employer in a transaction between...

Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Alyson

2009-01-01

The national teachers' unions are nervously eyeing a provision in a Senate version of the health-care overhaul now working its way through Congress that they say could ultimately squeeze medical benefits for educators. The language would tax insurance companies and plan administrators that offer what the measure defines as high-cost health…

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

42 CFR 422.304 - Monthly payments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... an MA-PD plan, defined at § 422.252, the MA organization offering such a plan also receives- (1... payments of the amounts determined under paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section for coverage of original fee-for-service benefits for an individual in an MA payment area for a month. (1) Payment of bid...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-3 - Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is... percent).) (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio... uniform benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-3 - Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is... percent).) (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio... uniform benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-3 - Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is... percent).) (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio... uniform benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-3 - Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is... percent).) (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio... uniform benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph...

77 FR 32686 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11649, Meridian Medical Associates, S.C, Employees' Retirement Plan and Trust (the Plan); D-11710, El Paso Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan); and D-11714, Ed Laur Defined Benefit Plan (the Plan).

The HSA in Your Future: Defined Contribution Retiree Medical Coverage.

PubMed

Towarnicky, Jack M

In 2004, when evaluating health savings account (HSA) business opportunities, I predicted: "Twenty-five years ago, no one had ever heard of 401(k); 25 years from now, everyone will have an HSA." Twelve years later, growth in HSA eligibility, participation, contributions and asset accumulations suggests we just might achieve that prediction. This article shares one plan sponsor's journey to help employees accumulate assets to fund medical costs-while employed and after retirement, It documents a 30-plus-year retiree health insurance transition from a defined benefit to a defined dollar structure and culminating in a full-replacement defined contribution structure using HSA-qualifying high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and then redeploying/repurposing the HSA to incorporate a savings incentive for retiree medical costs.

A Cost-Effectiveness/Benefit Analysis Model for Postsecondary Vocational Programs. Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Jin Eun

A cost-effectiveness/benefit analysis is defined as a technique for measuring the outputs of existing and new programs in relation to their specified program objectives, against the costs of those programs. In terms of its specific use, the technique is conceptualized as a systems analysis method, an evaluation method, and a planning tool for…

26 CFR 1.401(a)(4)-3 - Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is... percent).) (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of § 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio... benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph (b) of...

Labor Market Effects of Pensions and Implications for Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Friedberg, Leora; Turner, Sarah

2010-01-01

While the retirement security landscape has changed drastically for most workers over the last twenty years, traditional defined benefit (DB) pension plans remain the overwhelming norm for K-12 teachers. Because DB plans pay off fully with a fixed income after retirement only if a teacher stays in the profession for decades and yield little or…

Pension-Induced Rigidities in the Labor Market for School Leaders. Working Paper 67

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koedel, Cory; Grissom, Jason A.; Ni, Shawn; Podgursky, Michael

2012-01-01

Educators in public schools in the United States are typically enrolled in defined-benefit pension plans, which penalize across-plan mobility. We use administrative data from Missouri to examine how the mobility penalties affect the labor market for school leaders, and show that pension borders greatly reduce leadership flows across schools. Our…

Defining robustness protocols: a method to include and evaluate robustness in clinical plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGowan, S. E.; Albertini, F.; Thomas, S. J.; Lomax, A. J.

2015-04-01

We aim to define a site-specific robustness protocol to be used during the clinical plan evaluation process. Plan robustness of 16 skull base IMPT plans to systematic range and random set-up errors have been retrospectively and systematically analysed. This was determined by calculating the error-bar dose distribution (ebDD) for all the plans and by defining some metrics used to define protocols aiding the plan assessment. Additionally, an example of how to clinically use the defined robustness database is given whereby a plan with sub-optimal brainstem robustness was identified. The advantage of using different beam arrangements to improve the plan robustness was analysed. Using the ebDD it was found range errors had a smaller effect on dose distribution than the corresponding set-up error in a single fraction, and that organs at risk were most robust to the range errors, whereas the target was more robust to set-up errors. A database was created to aid planners in terms of plan robustness aims in these volumes. This resulted in the definition of site-specific robustness protocols. The use of robustness constraints allowed for the identification of a specific patient that may have benefited from a treatment of greater individuality. A new beam arrangement showed to be preferential when balancing conformality and robustness for this case. The ebDD and error-bar volume histogram proved effective in analysing plan robustness. The process of retrospective analysis could be used to establish site-specific robustness planning protocols in proton therapy. These protocols allow the planner to determine plans that, although delivering a dosimetrically adequate dose distribution, have resulted in sub-optimal robustness to these uncertainties. For these cases the use of different beam start conditions may improve the plan robustness to set-up and range uncertainties.

Characteristics of individuals with integrated pensions.

PubMed

Bender, K A

1999-01-01

Employer pensions that integrate benefits with Social Security have been the focus of relatively little research. Since changes in Social Security benefit levels and other program characteristics can affect the benefit levels and other features of integrated pension plans, it is important to know who is covered by these plans. This article examines the characteristics of workers covered by integrated pension plans, compared to those with nonintegrated plans and those with no pension coverage. Integrated pension plans are those that explicitly adjust their benefit structure to help compensate for the employer's contributions to the Social Security program. There are two basic integration methods used by defined benefit (DB) plans. The offset method causes a reduction in employer pension benefits by up to half of the Social Security retirement benefit; the excess rate method is characterized by an accrual rate that is lower for earnings below the Social Security taxable maximum than above it. Defined contribution (DC) pension plans can be integrated along the lines of the excess rate method. To date, research on integrated pensions has focused on plan characteristics, as reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its Employee Benefits Survey (EBS). This research has examined the prevalence of integration among full-time, private sector workers by industry, firm size, and broad occupational categories. However, because the EBS provides virtually no data on worker characteristics, analyses of the effects of pension integration on retirement benefits have used hypothetical workers, varying according to assumed levels of earnings and job tenure. This kind of analysis is not particularly helpful in examining the potential effects of changes in the Social Security program on workers' pension benefits. However, data on pension integration at the individual level are available, most recently from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative survey of individuals aged 51-61 in 1992. This dataset provides the basis for the analysis presented here. The following are some of the major findings from this analysis. The incidence of pension integration in the HRS sample is 32 percent of all workers with a pension (14 percent of all workers). The HRS can also identify integrated DC plans, a statistic that is not available from BLS data. The rate of integration for workers with only DC plans is 8 percent. After controlling for other variables, several socio-demographic characteristics are significantly related to the incidence of integration. The probability of having an integrated pension is 4.6 percentage points less for men compared to women. Non-Hispanic blacks are 6.4 percentage points less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have integrated pensions. Union members are 14 percentage points less likely to have integrated pensions, while workers with less than a graduate level education are at least 15 percentage points more likely to have a pension that is integrated. Some earnings and pension characteristics are also significantly correlated with pension integration. Earnings are positively related, with the probability of having an integrated pension increasing by 2 percentage points for an increase of $1,000 in annual pay. An even larger effect comes from earning at or above the Social Security taxable maximum. Workers at or above this income level are 10 percentage points more likely to have an integrated plan, but for those with more than one plan the probability of pension integration goes up by 13 percentage points.

The impact of a retirement savings account cap.

PubMed

VanDerhei, Jack

2013-08-01

This Issue Brief provides an initial analysis of the potential financial impact on private-sector retirement benefits of the retirement savings account cap included in the Obama administration's FY 2014 budget proposal. It finds that although a very small percentage of current 401(k) participants with IRA accounts have combined balances sufficient to be immediately affected by the proposed limit, over time (and depending on the applicable discount rates, whether a defined benefit pension is involved, and the size of the 401(k) plan) the impact could be much greater. Simulation results for 401(k) participants assuming no defined benefit accruals and no job turnover show that more than 1 in 10 current 401(k) participants are likely to hit the proposed limit sometime prior to age 65, even at the current historically low discount rate of 4 percent. When the simulation is rerun with discount rate assumptions closer to historical averages, the percentage of 401(k) participants likely to be affected by these proposed limits increases substantially: For example, with an 8 percent discount rate, more than 20 percent of the 401(k) participants are simulated to reach the limit prior to retirement. When the impact of stylized, defined benefit account assumptions are added to the analysis, the percentage of 401(k) participants simulated to reach the proposed limits increases even more: In fact, for 401(k) participants assumed to be covered by a 2 percent, three-year, final-average plan with a subsidized early retirement at 62, nearly a third are assumed to be affected by the proposed limit at an 8 percent discount rate. Additional analysis is performed for small plans (those with less than 100 participants) to assess the potential impact of eventual plan terminations if an when the owners and/or key decision makers of the firms reach the cap threshold. Depending on plan size, this may involve as few as 18 percent of the firms (at a 4 percent discount rate) to as many as 75 percent of the firms (at an 8 percent discount rates).

Forecasting Traditional vs Blended Retirement System for Individual Service Members

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-23

Service (IRS) puts retirement plan options offered to employees into four categories: profit-sharing plans, defined benefit plans, money purchase...Retirement System to allow the continuation pay to be offered at no less than eight years of service and no more than 12 years of service . The acceptance... Service Members Kevin M. Dwyer Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Business Administration, Management, and

Being accountable for care of the poor. CHA's social accountability budget helps facilities keep track of charitable activity.

PubMed

Trocchio, J; Eckels, T

1989-06-01

The Catholic Health Association's social accountability budget is a set of tools to help Catholic healthcare facilities plan for, administer, and report benefits provided to their communities, especially the poor. It defines a full roster of community benefits that a healthcare organization may provide. The benefits fall into three major categories: activities and services, policies and procedures, and community leadership. The social accountability budget also presents guidelines for assessing the facility's existing services, activities, policies, and procedures and discusses how the facility can conduct or be part of a community needs assessment. Information collected through this assessment is used in the planning and budgeting processes. This ensures that uncompensated care and charitable services receive consideration along with traditional planning and budgeting items. Additional guidelines show the facility how to track and measure its services to the community. The final step, often absent from Catholic healthcare facilities' programs, is reporting community benefits.

26 CFR 1.83-8 - Applicability of section and transitional rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... a trust described in section 401(a) for the benefit of employees or their beneficiaries, or a transfer under an annuity plan that meets the requirements of section 404(a)(2) for the benefit of... value (as defined in § 1.83-7(b)(1)); or (4) The transfer of property pursuant to the exercise of an...

76 FR 69172 - Determination of Governmental Plan Status

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-08

...The Treasury Department and IRS anticipate issuing regulations under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to define the term ``governmental plan.'' This document describes the rules that the Treasury Department and IRS are considering proposing relating to the determination of whether a plan is a governmental plan within the meaning of section 414(d) and contains an appendix that includes a draft notice of proposed rulemaking on which the Treasury Department and IRS invite comments from the public. This document applies to sponsors of, and participants and beneficiaries in, employee benefit plans that are determined to be governmental plans.

ArcFuels: an ArcMap toolbar for fuel treatment planning and wildfire risk assessment

Treesearch

Nicole M. Vaillant; Alan A. Ager

2014-01-01

Fire behavior modeling and geospatial analysis can provide tremendous insight to land managers in defining both the benefits and potential impacts of fuel treatments in the context of land management goals and public expectations. ArcFuels is a streamlined fuel management planning and wildfire risk assessment system that creates a trans-scale (stand to large landscape...

Discharge planning: a collaboration between provider and payer case managers using Medicare's Conditions of Participation.

PubMed

Birmingham, Jackie

2004-01-01

Discharge planning is a legally mandated function for hospitals and is one of the "basic" hospital roles as outlined in Medicare's Conditions of Participation. This article will define discharge planning; describe the steps in the discharge planning process; list rules and regulations that influence discharge planning in hospitals; and compare hospital-based actions with payer-based actions when planning discharges. Case managers who work for payers interact with hospital-based case managers to facilitate the discharge planning process for patients. Those who form this patient-provider-payer triangle will benefit by reviewing the dynamics of the discharge planning process.

Having it all: national benefit equity and local payment parity in Medicare.

PubMed

Dowd, Bryan; Feldman, Roger

2002-01-01

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has identified two important problems with the Medicare+Choice (M+C) program: nationwide geographic inequity in government-financed benefits, and unequal government payments for M+C plans versus fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare in the same market area. MedPAC concludes that both problems cannot be solved simultaneously. We argue that both problems could be solved if Congress discontinued its policy of underwriting the cost of FFS Medicare. Instead, Congress should define a national entitlement benefit package and have all health plans submit bids on the package in each market area. The government's premium contribution should be equal to the lowest bid submitted by a qualified health plan in each market area. The contribution could be adjusted for health risk, the special obligations of FFS Medicare, and welfare enhancements associated with FFS Medicare that are valued by both beneficiaries and taxpayers but unrelated to beneficiaries' health status.

The challenge of funding hospital employee retirement benefits.

PubMed

Román, Christina

2012-12-01

Hospitals face a difficult challenge in meeting existing benefits obligations to employees while maintaining financial reserves to invest in electronic health records, quality improvement, and more effective integration of care. Although they may no longer be able to afford offering employees defined-benefit plans, many forward-looking healthcare organizations are finding ways to keep their commitments without sacrificing the balance sheet. One such organization is Scripps Health in San Diego, whose innovative benefits packages have contributed to its being ranked 56th in Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list in 2012.

Contracting-out in the United Kingdom: a partnership between social security and private pension plans.

PubMed

Daykin, Chris

2002-01-01

Contracting-out was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1978 as part of the arrangements for the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) in order to avoid duplication with the existing well-developed defined benefit occupational pension plan sector. Members and sponsors of contracted-out schemes were able to save on their social security contributions in recognition of the fact that they were accruing equivalent benefits through an occupational pension plan. Later on this concept was extended to those with individual money purchase pension plans. This article considers a brief history of contracting-out, the principles of contracting-out, some problems associated with contracting-out, the implications of the introduction of stakeholder pensions and State Second Pension, and the latest rebate review and rebate orders. It examines how U.K. pensions policy since 1978 has been based on a partnership between social security and private pension plans.

Methods for Reducing Normal Tissue Complication Probabilities in Oropharyngeal Cancer: Dose Reduction or Planning Target Volume Elimination

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Samuels, Stuart E.; Eisbruch, Avraham; Vineberg, Karen

Purpose: Strategies to reduce the toxicities of head and neck radiation (ie, dysphagia [difficulty swallowing] and xerostomia [dry mouth]) are currently underway. However, the predicted benefit of dose and planning target volume (PTV) reduction strategies is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to compare the normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) for swallowing and salivary structures in standard plans (70 Gy [P70]), dose-reduced plans (60 Gy [P60]), and plans eliminating the PTV margin. Methods and Materials: A total of 38 oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) plans were analyzed. Standard organ-sparing volumetric modulated arc therapy plans (P70) were created and then modified by eliminatingmore » the PTVs and treating the clinical tumor volumes (CTVs) only (C70) or maintaining the PTV but reducing the dose to 60 Gy (P60). NTCP dose models for the pharyngeal constrictors, glottis/supraglottic larynx, parotid glands (PGs), and submandibular glands (SMGs) were analyzed. The minimal clinically important benefit was defined as a mean change in NTCP of >5%. The P70 NTCP thresholds and overlap percentages of the organs at risk with the PTVs (56-59 Gy, vPTV{sub 56}) were evaluated to identify the predictors for NTCP improvement. Results: With the P60 plans, only the ipsilateral PG (iPG) benefited (23.9% vs 16.2%; P<.01). With the C70 plans, only the iPG (23.9% vs 17.5%; P<.01) and contralateral SMG (cSMG) (NTCP 32.1% vs 22.9%; P<.01) benefited. An iPG NTCP threshold of 20% and 30% predicted NTCP benefits for the P60 and C70 plans, respectively (P<.001). A cSMG NTCP threshold of 30% predicted for an NTCP benefit with the C70 plans (P<.001). Furthermore, for the iPG, a vPTV{sub 56} >13% predicted benefit with P60 (P<.001) and C70 (P=.002). For the cSMG, a vPTV{sub 56} >22% predicted benefit with C70 (P<.01). Conclusions: PTV elimination and dose-reduction lowered the NTCP of the iPG, and PTV elimination lowered the NTCP of the cSMG. NTCP thresholds and the percentage of overlap of the PTV with organs at risk can predict which patients will benefit and inform future clinical trial design.« less

Restructuring Employee Benefits to Meet Health Care Needs in Retirement.

PubMed

Ward, Richard M; Weinman, Robert B

2015-01-01

Health care expenses in retirement are the proverbial elephant in the room. Most employees don't know how big the elephant is. As Medicare solvency and retiree health care issues receive increasing attention, it is time to rethink overall benefit approaches and assess what is appropriate and affordable for an organization to help achieve workforce renewal goals and solve delayed retirement challenges. Just as Medicare was never designed to cover all of the post-65 retiree health care costs, neither is a workplace retirement plan designed to cover 100% of preretiree income. Now employers can consider strategies that may better equip retirees to meet both income needs and health care expenses in the most tax-efficient way. By combining defined contribution retirement and health care plans, employers have the power to increase benefits for employees while maintaining total benefits cost.

Value distribution assessment of geothermal development in Lake County, CA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Churchman, C.W.; Nelson, H.G.; Eacret, K.

1977-10-01

A value distribution assessment is defined as the determination of the distribution of benefits and costs of a proposed or actual development, with the intent of comparing such a development with alternative plans. Included are not only the social and economic effects, but also people's perceptions of their roles and how they are affected by the proposed or actual development. Discussion is presented under the following section headings: on morality and ethics; the vanishing community; case study of pre-development planning--Lake County; methodology for research; Lake County geothermal energy resource; decision making; Planning Commission hearing; communication examples; benefit tracing; response tomore » issues raised by the report of the State Geothermal Task Force; and, conclusions and recommendations. (JGB)« less

Behavioral economics perspectives on public sector pension plans.

PubMed

Beshears, John; Choi, James J; Laibson, David; Madrian, Brigitte C

2011-04-01

We describe the pension plan features of the states and the largest cities and counties in the U.S. Unlike in the private sector, defined benefit (DB) pensions are still the norm in the public sector. However, a few jurisdictions have shifted toward defined contribution (DC) plans as their primary savings plan, and fiscal pressures are likely to generate more movement in this direction. Holding fixed a public employee's work and salary history, we show that DB retirement income replacement ratios vary greatly across jurisdictions. This creates large variation in workers' need to save for retirement in other accounts. There is also substantial heterogeneity across jurisdictions in the savings generated in primary DC plans because of differences in the level of mandatory employer and employee contributions. One notable difference between public and private sector DC plans is that public sector primary DC plans are characterized by required employee or employer contributions (or both), whereas private sector plans largely feature voluntary employee contributions that are supplemented by an employer match. We conclude by applying lessons from savings behavior in private sector savings plans to the design of public sector plans.

78 FR 42027 - Proposed Amendment To Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Pension Benefit Statements

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-15

...The Department of Labor is extending until August 7, 2013, the comment period for an advance notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on lifetime income illustrations given to participants in defined contribution pension plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. The ANPRM serves as a request for comments on specific language and concepts in advance of a proposed regulation.

Best Practices for Managing Organizational Diversity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kreitz, Patricia A.

2008-01-01

Organizations with increasingly diverse workforces and customer populations face challenges in reaping diversity's benefits while managing its potentially disruptive effects. This article defines workplace diversity and identifies best practices supporting planned and positive diversity management. It explores how academic libraries can apply…

Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986.

PubMed

Kerns, W L

1986-11-01

In June, President Reagan signed the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-335), which establishes the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) for employees hired after December 31, 1983. The program, which goes into effect on January 1, 1987, features a defined benefit retirement plan to augment mandatory coverage under social security. It also permits FERS participants to contribute up to 10 percent of their earnings, on a tax-deferred basis, to a thrift savings plan, with partial matching by the Government. This article describes the provisions of the new system, including survivor annuities and disability benefits. It also explains how employees covered under the Civil Service Retirement System may freeze their earned benefits under that program and transfer to FERS during the period July-December 1987.

Moving beyond the Typologies of Managed Care: The Example of Health Plan Predictors of Screening Mammography

PubMed Central

Tye, Sherilyn; Phillips, Kathryn A; Liang, Su-Ying; Haas, Jennifer S

2004-01-01

Objectives To develop a framework of factors to characterize health plans, to identify how plan characteristics were measured in a national survey, and to apply our findings to an analysis of the predictors of screening mammography. Data Source The primary data were from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Study Design Women ages 40+, with private insurance, and no history of breast cancer were included in the study (N=2,909). We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate mammography utilization in the past two years relative to health plan and demographic factors. Health plan measures included whether there is a defined provider network, whether coverage is restricted to a network, use of gatekeepers, level of cost containment, copayment and deductible amounts, coinsurance rate, and breadth of benefit coverage. Principal Findings We found no significant difference in reported mammography utilization using a dichotomous comparison of individuals enrolled in managed care versus indemnity plans. However, women in health plans with a defined provider network were more likely to report having received a mammogram in the past two years than those without networks (adjusted OR=1.21, 95 percent CI=1.07–1.36), and women in gatekeeper plans were more likely to report receiving mammography than those without gatekeepers (adjusted OR=1.18, 95 percent CI=1.03–1.36). Restricted out-of-network coverage, use of cost containment, enrollee cost sharing, and breadth of benefit coverage did not appear to affect mammography use. Conclusions It is important to examine the effect of individual health plan components on the utilization of health care, rather than use the traditional broader categorizations of managed versus nonmanaged care or simple health plan typologies. PMID:14965083

Pension Generosity in Oregon and Its Impact on Midcareer Teacher Attrition and Older Teachers' K12 Workforce Exit Decisions. CEDR Working Paper. WP #2016-5

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cahill, Kevin E.; Dyke, Andrew; Tapogna, John

2016-01-01

Oregon's Tier One Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) covered members prior to January 1, 1996. This "Issue Brief" documents the generosity of the money match provision under Oregon's Tier One plan relative to the Tier One defined-benefit formula, and relative to other plans in Oregon and Washington and to representative plans…

The evolution of Japanese employer-sponsored retirement plans.

PubMed

Rajnes, David

2007-01-01

This article examines the development of Japanese voluntary employer-sponsored retirement plans with an emphasis on recent trends. Until 2001, companies in Japan offered retirement benefits as lump-sum severance payments and/or benefits from one of two types of defined benefit (DB) pension plans. One type of DB plan was based on the occupational pension model used in the United States before the adoption of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), but lacked the funding, vesting, and other protective features contained in ERISA. The other type of DB plan allowed companies to opt out of the earnings-related portion of social security, commonly referred to as "contracting out." Landmark laws passed in 2001 introduced a new generation of occupational retirement plans to employers and employees. One law increased funding requirements and enhanced employee protections for employer-sponsored DB plans, while a second law introduced defined contribution (DC) plans for several reasons, chiefly to increase retirement savings and help boost Japanese financial markets. These laws complemented earlier changes in the tax code and financial accounting standards already affecting employer-sponsored retirement plans. As a result, new retirement plan designs will replace most prereform era company retirement plans by 2012. In 2001, the experience of 401(k) plans in the United States, where 42 million participants had accumulated more than $1.8 trillion in assets over 20 years, attracted considerable attention among Japanese lawmakers finalizing provisions of the DC pension law. Even with government support and encouragement from the financial services industry, Japanese companies have not adopted these new DC plans in large numbers. As a result, occupational retirement plans in Japan have remained predominantly DB-a surprising development in light of the shift in a number of countries from DB to DC plans observed in recent decades. However, recent proposals to make DC plans more attractive to employers in Japan are likely to be implemented in the near future. This article summarizes the Japanese retirement system, with an emphasis on private-sector employees, and the complementary role played by voluntary employer-sponsored retirement plans; describes the financial pressures that faced retirement plan sponsors in the late twentieth century and the factors motivating the reform of Japanese voluntary retirement plans; examines the 2001 legislative changes that have transformed company retirement plans; and concludes with a review of trends and recent developments in employer-sponsored retirement plans since the implementation of the 2001 pension laws.

Optimal portfolio design to reduce climate-related conservation uncertainty in the Prairie Pothole Region.

PubMed

Ando, Amy W; Mallory, Mindy L

2012-04-24

Climate change is likely to alter the spatial distributions of species and habitat types but the nature of such change is uncertain. Thus, climate change makes it difficult to implement standard conservation planning paradigms. Previous work has suggested some approaches to cope with such uncertainty but has not harnessed all of the benefits of risk diversification. We adapt Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) to optimal spatial targeting of conservation activity, using wetland habitat conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) as an example. This approach finds the allocations of conservation activity among subregions of the planning area that maximize the expected conservation returns for a given level of uncertainty or minimize uncertainty for a given expected level of returns. We find that using MPT instead of simple diversification in the PPR can achieve a value of the conservation objective per dollar spent that is 15% higher for the same level of risk. MPT-based portfolios can also have 21% less uncertainty over benefits or 6% greater expected benefits than the current portfolio of PPR conservation. Total benefits from conservation investment are higher if returns are defined in terms of benefit-cost ratios rather than benefits alone. MPT-guided diversification can work to reduce the climate-change-induced uncertainty of future ecosystem-service benefits from many land policy and investment initiatives, especially when outcomes are negatively correlated between subregions of a planning area.

Small Engine Component Technology (SECT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Early, M.; Dawson, R.; Zeiner, P.; Turk, M.; Benn, K.

1986-01-01

A study of small gas turbine engines was conducted to identify high payoff technologies for year-2000 engines and to define companion technology plans. The study addressed engines in the 186 to 746 KW (250 to 1000 shp) or equivalent thrust range for rotorcraft, commuter (turboprop), cruise missile (turbojet), and APU applications. The results show that aggressive advancement of high payoff technologies can produce significant benefits, including reduced SFC, weight, and cost for year-2000 engines. Mission studies for these engines show potential fuel burn reductions of 22 to 71 percent. These engine benefits translate into reductions in rotorcraft and commuter aircraft direct operating costs (DOC) of 7 to 11 percent, and in APU-related DOCs of 37 to 47 percent. The study further shows that cruise missile range can be increased by as much as 200 percent (320 percent with slurry fuels) for a year-2000 missile-turbojet system compared to a current rocket-powered system. The high payoff technologies were identified and the benefits quantified. Based on this, technology plans were defined for each of the four engine applications as recommended guidelines for further NASA research and technology efforts to establish technological readiness for the year 2000.

Why do boomers plan to work longer?

PubMed

Mermin, Gordon B T; Johnson, Richard W; Murphy, Dan P

2007-09-01

. Recent changes in retirement trends and patterns have raised questions about the likely retirement behavior of baby boomers, the large cohort born between 1946 and 1964. This study examined recent changes in retirement expectations and the factors that drove them. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the analysis compared self-reported probabilities of working full time past ages 62 and 65 among workers aged 51 to 56 in 1992 and 2004. The study modeled retirement expectations for both generations and used the estimated regression coefficients to identify the forces that accounted for generational differences. . Between 1992 and 2004, the mean self-reported probability of working full time past age 65 among workers aged 51 to 56 increased from 27% to 33%. Lower rates of retiree health insurance offers from employers, higher levels of educational attainment, and lower rates of defined benefit pension coverage accounted for most of the growth. Given the continued erosion in employer-sponsored retiree health benefits and defined benefit pension plans, boomers will likely remain at work longer than members of the previous generation. Lengthier careers will likely promote economic growth, increase government revenue, and improve individual financial security at older ages.

Behavioral economics perspectives on public sector pension plans

PubMed Central

BESHEARS, JOHN; CHOI, JAMES J.; LAIBSON, DAVID; MADRIAN, BRIGITTE C.

2011-01-01

We describe the pension plan features of the states and the largest cities and counties in the U.S. Unlike in the private sector, defined benefit (DB) pensions are still the norm in the public sector. However, a few jurisdictions have shifted toward defined contribution (DC) plans as their primary savings plan, and fiscal pressures are likely to generate more movement in this direction. Holding fixed a public employee’s work and salary history, we show that DB retirement income replacement ratios vary greatly across jurisdictions. This creates large variation in workers’ need to save for retirement in other accounts. There is also substantial heterogeneity across jurisdictions in the savings generated in primary DC plans because of differences in the level of mandatory employer and employee contributions. One notable difference between public and private sector DC plans is that public sector primary DC plans are characterized by required employee or employer contributions (or both), whereas private sector plans largely feature voluntary employee contributions that are supplemented by an employer match. We conclude by applying lessons from savings behavior in private sector savings plans to the design of public sector plans. PMID:21789032

Persistence with biologic therapies in the Medicare coverage gap.

PubMed

Tamariz, Leonardo; Uribe, Claudia L; Luo, Jiacong; Hanna, John W; Ball, Daniel E; Krohn, Kelly; Meadows, Eric S

2011-11-01

To describe persistence with teriparatide and other biologic therapies in Medicare Part D plans with and without a coverage gap. Retrospective (2006) cohort study of Medicare Part D prescription drug plan beneficiaries from a large benefits company. Two plans with a coverage gap (defined as "basic") were combined and compared with a single plan with coverage for generic and branded medications (defined as "complete"). Patients taking alendronate (nonbiologic comparator), teriparatide, etanercept, adalimumab, interferon β-1a, or glatiramer acetate were selected for the study. For patients with complete coverage, equivalent financial thresholds were used to define the "gap."The definition of discontinuation was failure to fill the index prescription after reaching the gap. For alendronate, 27% of 133,260 patients had enrolled in the complete plan. Patients taking biologic therapies had more commonly enrolled in complete plans: teriparatide (66% of 6221), etanercept (58% of 1469), adalimumab (52% of 824), interferon β-1a (60% of 438), and glatiramer acetate (53% of 393). For patients taking either alendronate or teriparatide, discontinuation rates were higher in the basic, versus complete, plan (adjusted odds ratios, 2.02 and 3.56, respectively). Discontinuation did not significantly vary by plan type for etanercept, adalimumab, interferon β-1a, or glatiramer acetate. For patients who reached the coverage gap, discontinuation was more likely for patients taking osteoporosis (OP) medication. Not having a coverage gap was associated with improved persistence with OP treatment.

Self-insurance and the potential effects of health reform on the small-group market.

PubMed

Linehan, Kathryn

2010-12-21

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) as amended by the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 makes landmark changes to health insurance markets. Individual and small-group insurance plans and markets will see the biggest changes, but PPACA also affects large employer and self-insured plans by imposing rules for benefit design and health plan practices. Over half of workers--most often those in very large firms--are covered by self-insured health plans in which employers (or employee groups) bear all or some of the risk of providing insurance coverage to a defined population of workers and their dependents. As PPACA provisions become effective, some have argued that smaller firms that offer insurance may opt to self-insure their health benefits because of new small-group market rules. Such a shift could affect risk pooling in the small-group market. This paper examines the definition and prevalence of self-insured health plans, the application of PPACA provisions to these plans, and the possible effects on the broader health insurance market, should many more employers decide to self-insure.

20 CFR 322.2 - General definition of remuneration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Section 322.2 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT... unemployment or a day of sickness, except as explained in § 322.9. (c) Supplemental unemployment or sickness... nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance, as defined in part 323 of this chapter. Employer...

20 CFR 322.2 - General definition of remuneration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Section 322.2 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT... unemployment or a day of sickness, except as explained in § 322.9. (c) Supplemental unemployment or sickness... nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance, as defined in part 323 of this chapter. Employer...

20 CFR 322.2 - General definition of remuneration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Section 322.2 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT... unemployment or a day of sickness, except as explained in § 322.9. (c) Supplemental unemployment or sickness... nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance, as defined in part 323 of this chapter. Employer...

20 CFR 322.2 - General definition of remuneration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Section 322.2 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT... unemployment or a day of sickness, except as explained in § 322.9. (c) Supplemental unemployment or sickness... nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance, as defined in part 323 of this chapter. Employer...

20 CFR 322.2 - General definition of remuneration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Section 322.2 Employees' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT... unemployment or a day of sickness, except as explained in § 322.9. (c) Supplemental unemployment or sickness... nongovernmental plan for unemployment or sickness insurance, as defined in part 323 of this chapter. Employer...

Optimal portfolio design to reduce climate-related conservation uncertainty in the Prairie Pothole Region

PubMed Central

Ando, Amy W.; Mallory, Mindy L.

2012-01-01

Climate change is likely to alter the spatial distributions of species and habitat types but the nature of such change is uncertain. Thus, climate change makes it difficult to implement standard conservation planning paradigms. Previous work has suggested some approaches to cope with such uncertainty but has not harnessed all of the benefits of risk diversification. We adapt Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) to optimal spatial targeting of conservation activity, using wetland habitat conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) as an example. This approach finds the allocations of conservation activity among subregions of the planning area that maximize the expected conservation returns for a given level of uncertainty or minimize uncertainty for a given expected level of returns. We find that using MPT instead of simple diversification in the PPR can achieve a value of the conservation objective per dollar spent that is 15% higher for the same level of risk. MPT-based portfolios can also have 21% less uncertainty over benefits or 6% greater expected benefits than the current portfolio of PPR conservation. Total benefits from conservation investment are higher if returns are defined in terms of benefit–cost ratios rather than benefits alone. MPT-guided diversification can work to reduce the climate-change–induced uncertainty of future ecosystem-service benefits from many land policy and investment initiatives, especially when outcomes are negatively correlated between subregions of a planning area. PMID:22451914

Report on Sandia Corporation defined benefit pension plans, Albuquerque, New Mexico

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1986-12-12

This report concerns payments by the Sandia Corporation to employee pension plans. The audit disclosed that in 1984 the Department incurred unnecessary costs of $19.2 million because Sandia made payments into its two pension plans even though information contained in Sandia'a actuarial consultants' reports showed that the funds were overfunded by $77.7 million at the beginning of the year. During the preceding three years, similar payments were made which added to plan overfunding. Sandia had based pension plan payments on very conservative actuarial assumptions. Albuquerque did not agree with the findings and recommendations. A summary of management's comments and themore » response are included in the report.« less

[Development of an Operational Model for the Application of Planning-Programming-Budgeting Systems in Local School Districts. Program Budgeting Note 3, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: What Is It?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

State Univ. of New York, Buffalo. Western New York School Study Council.

Cost effectiveness analysis is used in situations where benefits and costs are not readily converted into a money base. Five elements can be identified in such an analytic process: (1) The objective must be defined in terms of what it is and how it is attained; (2) alternatives to the objective must be clearly definable; (3) the costs must be…

12 CFR 574.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... with that other party, except that any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan as defined in § 563b... exercising similar functions of the issuing savings association or company); or (ii) To vote or to direct the... otherwise, to select or to vote for the selection of directors, trustees, or partners (or persons exercising...

48 CFR 9903.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... contract (including options). Deferred compensation. See 9904.415-30. Defined-benefit pension plan. See.... See 9904.403-30. Original complement of low cost equipment. See 9904.404-30. Pay-as-you-go cost method... and maintenance. See 9904.404-30. Reporting costs. See 9904.401-30. Residual value. See 9904.409-30...

48 CFR 9903.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... contract (including options). Deferred compensation. See 9904.415-30. Defined-benefit pension plan. See.... See 9904.403-30. Original complement of low cost equipment. See 9904.404-30. Pay-as-you-go cost method... and maintenance. See 9904.404-30. Reporting costs. See 9904.401-30. Residual value. See 9904.409-30...

48 CFR 9903.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... contract (including options). Deferred compensation. See 9904.415-30. Defined-benefit pension plan. See.... See 9904.403-30. Original complement of low cost equipment. See 9904.404-30. Pay-as-you-go cost method... and maintenance. See 9904.404-30. Reporting costs. See 9904.401-30. Residual value. See 9904.409-30...

Uplink Coding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pollara, Fabrizio; Hamkins, Jon; Dolinar, Sam; Andrews, Ken; Divsalar, Dariush

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews uplink coding. The purpose and goals of the briefing are (1) Show a plan for using uplink coding and describe benefits (2) Define possible solutions and their applicability to different types of uplink, including emergency uplink (3) Concur with our conclusions so we can embark on a plan to use proposed uplink system (4) Identify the need for the development of appropriate technology and infusion in the DSN (5) Gain advocacy to implement uplink coding in flight projects Action Item EMB04-1-14 -- Show a plan for using uplink coding, including showing where it is useful or not (include discussion of emergency uplink coding).

Asia Pivot: The U.S. India Defense Initiative: A New Standard for Improved Cooperation and Trade

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

changes to increase U.S. investment . One particular area where change has to be care­ fully planned is its ceiling on permitted foreign direct invest­... innovative investments that will benefit both countries for generations. There is a need to define where we want to go and then make it possible to get...in the Asia­Pacific region. New investments by the United States in technology, weapon systems, innovative operational plans and tactics—and regional

20 CFR 416.1262 - Special resource provision applicable in cases involving essential persons.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... cases involving essential persons. 416.1262 Section 416.1262 Employees' Benefits SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED Resources and Exclusions § 416.1262... individual has in his home an essential person (as defined in § 416.222), either the State plan resource...

Zero Base Budgeting: A New Planning Tool for New Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adamson, Willie D.

Zero-base budgeting is presented as the functional alternative to the community college funding crisis which may be precipitated by passage in June 1978 of the Jarvis Amendment (Proposition 13) in California. Defined as the management of scarce resources on a cost/benefit basis to achieve pre-determined goals, zero-base budgeting emphasizes…

Computer and Network Security in Small Libraries: A Guide for Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Robert L.

This manual is intended to provide a free resource on essential network security concepts for non-technical managers of small libraries. Managers of other small nonprofit or community organizations will also benefit from it. An introduction defines network security; outlines three goals of network security; discusses why a library should be…

Why It Is Hard to Believe in Desegregation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawley, Willis D.

1988-01-01

There is much resistance to desegregation. People do not believe it is beneficial for the following reasons: (1) it is not clear how the movement of students will improve schools; (2) effective, well-defined desegregation plans are lacking; (3) the research evidence of benefits is thin; and (4) critical problems such as instructional management…

Advanced Propulsion System Studies for General Aviation Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eisenberg, Joseph D. (Technical Monitor); German, Jon

2003-01-01

This final report addresses the following topics: Market Impact Analysis (1) assessment of general aviation, including commuter/regional, aircraft market impact due to incorporation of advanced technology propulsion system on acquisition and operating costs, job creation and/or manpower demand, and future fleet size; (2) selecting an aircraft and engine for the study by focusing on the next generation 19-passenger commuter and the Williams International FJ44 turbofan engine growth. Propulsion System Analysis Conducted mission analysis studies and engine cycle analysis to define a new commuter mission and required engine performance, define acquisition and operating costs and, select engine configuration and initiated preliminary design for hardware modifications required. Propulsion System Benefits (1) assessed and defined engine emissions improvements, (2) assessed and defined noise reduction potential and, (3) conducted a cost analysis impact study. Review of Relevant NASA Programs Conducted literature searches using NERAC and NASA RECON services for related technology in the emissions and acoustics area. Preliminary Technology Development Plans Defined plan to incorporate technology improvements for an FJ44-2 growth engine in performance, emissions, and noise suppression.

Connecting the Links: Narratives, Simulations and Serious Games in Prehospital Training.

PubMed

Heldal, Ilona; Backlund, Per; Johannesson, Mikael; Lebram, Mikael; Lundberg, Lars

2017-01-01

Due to rapid and substantial changes in the health sector, collaboration and supporting technologies get more into focus. Changes in education and training are also required. Simulations and serious games (SSG) are often advocated as promising technologies supporting training of many and in the same manner, or increasing the skills necessary to deal with new, dangerous, complex or unexpected situations. The aim of this paper is to illustrate and discuss resources needed for planning and performing collaborative contextual training scenarios. Based on a practical study involving prehospital nurses and different simulator technologies the often-recurring activity chains in prehospital training were trained. This paper exemplifies the benefit of using narratives and SSGs for contextual training contributing to higher user experiences. The benefits of using simulation technologies aligned by processes can be easier defined by narratives from practitioners. While processes help to define more efficient and effective training, narratives and SSGs are beneficial to design scenarios with clues for higher user experiences. By discussing illustrative examples, the paper contributes to better understanding of how to plan simulation-technology rich training scenarios.

Retirement plan participation and features and standard of living of Americans 55 or older.

PubMed

Copeland, Craig

2002-08-01

This Issue Brief is the third in a series of Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) publications based on data collected in 1998 and released in 2002 as the Retirement and Pension Plan Coverage Topical Module of the 1996 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This report completes the series by examining the survey's more detailed questions concerning workers' employment-based retirement plans. Specifically, it examines the percentage of workers who are participating in a plan, and also workers' reasons for not participating in a plan when working in a job where a plan is sponsored; the features of, or decisions made concerning salary reduction plans; historical participation in employment-based retirement plans; and a comparison of the standard of living of individuals age 55 or older with their living standard in their early 50s. As of June 1998, 64.3 percent of wage and salary workers age 16 or older worked for an employer or union that sponsored any type of retirement plan (defined contribution or defined benefit) for any of its employees or members (the "sponsorship rate"). Almost 47 percent of these wage and salary workers participated in a plan (the "participation rate"), with 43.2 percent being entitled to a benefit or eligible to receive a lump-sum distribution from a plan if their job terminated at the time of survey (the "vested rate"). The predominant reason for choosing not to participate in a retirement plan was that doing so was unaffordable. The eligible participation rate for salary reduction plans was 81.4 percent. Fifty-six percent of all workers have participated in some type of retirement plan sometime during their work life through 1998. For those ages 51-60, almost 72 percent have ever participated in a plan. The median account balance in salary reduction plans in 1998 was $14,000. In 1998, 12.9 percent of salary reduction plan participants eligible to take a loan had done so, and the average outstanding loan balance was $5,196. Nearly 80 percent of those age 55 or older reported that their standard of living is about the same or better now than it was when they were in their early 50s. The incidence of both pension income and health insurance from a former employer had a significant impact on retirees' ability to maintain their standard of living. In addition, those who spent their entire most recent lump-sum distribution were more likely to have a much worse standard of living in retirement than those who rolled over their entire most recent distribution.

[Comprehensive drug safety plan in a health department].

PubMed

Bujaldón-Querejeta, N; Aznar-Saliente, T; Esplá-González, S; Ruíz-Darbonnéns, S; Pons-Martínez, L; Talens-Bolos, A; Martínez-Ramírez, M; Camacho-Romera, D; Aranaz-Andrés, J M

2014-01-01

To develop and implement a comprehensive drug safety plan in a hospital for the years 2009-2011. Applying the Strengths Weaknesses/Limitations Opportunities Threats (SWOT) methodology, the baseline situation was analyzed and a broad strategy or plan was subsequently developed, defining the scope, responsibilities, objectives and strategic actions and indicators in order to measure the achievement of the results. A comprehensive drug safety plan with the main objective of identifying and reducing the medication-related problems in patients treated in the Hospital de San Juan in Alicante has been developed. The plan contains five strategic objectives, twenty strategic actions and the indicators to assess its outcomes. It also contains a timetable for its establishment and evaluation. Developing a comprehensive strategic plan allows the current situation relating to drug safety to be determined. The results obtained after its introduction will define its applicability. Due to the lack of publications of similar plans and results, the evaluation of this plan will be useful whether it is favorable or not. As a side benefit of the development, the multidisciplinary team continues to work on improving patient safety in the care process, and the safety culture continues to grow among the professionals. Copyright © 2013 SECA. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

75 FR 65263 - Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

...This document contains a proposed rule under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that, upon adoption, would protect beneficiaries of pension plans and individual retirement accounts by more broadly defining the circumstances under which a person is considered to be a ``fiduciary'' by reason of giving investment advice to an employee benefit plan or a plan's participants. The proposal amends a thirty-five year old rule that may inappropriately limit the types of investment advice relationships that give rise to fiduciary duties on the part of the investment advisor. The proposed rule takes account of significant changes in both the financial industry and the expectations of plan officials and participants who receive investment advice; it is designed to protect participants from conflicts of interest and self- dealing by giving a broader and clearer understanding of when persons providing such advice are subject to ERISA's fiduciary standards. For example, the proposed rule would define certain advisers as fiduciaries even if they do not provide advice on a ``regular basis.'' Upon adoption, the proposed rule would affect sponsors, fiduciaries, participants, and beneficiaries of pension plans and individual retirement accounts, as well as providers of investment and investment advice related services to such plans and accounts.

Benefit-cost assessment programs: Costa Rica case study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clark, A.L.; Trocki, L.K.

An assessment of mineral potential, in terms of types and numbers of deposits, approximate location and associated tonnage and grades, is a valuable input to a nation's economic planning and mineral policy development. This study provides a methodology for applying benefit-cost analysis to mineral resource assessment programs, both to determine the cost effectiveness of resource assessments and to ascertain future benefits to the nation. In a case study of Costa Rica, the benefit-cost ratio of a resource assessment program was computed to be a minimum of 4:1 ($10.6 million to $2.5 million), not including the economic benefits accuring from themore » creation of 800 mining sector and 1,200 support services jobs. The benefit-cost ratio would be considerably higher if presently proposed revisions of mineral policy were implemented and benefits could be defined for Costa Rica.« less

Operation plan for the data 100/LARS terminal system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowen, A. J., Jr.

1980-01-01

The Data 100/LARS terminal system provides an interface for processing on the IBM 3031 computer system at Purdue University's Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing. The environment in which the system is operated and supported is discussed. The general support responsibilities, procedural mechanisms, and training established for the benefit of the system users are defined.

76 FR 78942 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-20

... behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3). The term ``harass'' is defined... annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns, which include, but... be included in the VPHCP in recognition of the conservation benefits to be provided for them under...

77 FR 23745 - Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly and Serpentine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-20

... patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3). The term ``harass'' is defined in the... as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns, which include, but are not limited to... permit, plant species may be included on a permit in recognition of the conservation benefits provided to...

26 CFR 1.401(l)-3 - Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (an amount above covered compensation) as the integration level, it must reduce the 0.75-percent... 401(l) merely because it contains one or more provisions described in § 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6) (such as...) of this section. (5) Integration or offset level. The integration or offset level specified in the...

26 CFR 1.401(l)-3 - Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (an amount above covered compensation) as the integration level, it must reduce the 0.75-percent... 401(l) merely because it contains one or more provisions described in § 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6) (such as...) of this section. (5) Integration or offset level. The integration or offset level specified in the...

26 CFR 1.401(l)-3 - Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (an amount above covered compensation) as the integration level, it must reduce the 0.75-percent... 401(l) merely because it contains one or more provisions described in § 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6) (such as...) of this section. (5) Integration or offset level. The integration or offset level specified in the...

26 CFR 1.401(l)-5 - Overall permitted disparity limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... for the years of service taken into account under one plan and a formula for the years of service... 35 years under the first formula is 0.75/0.75 or one, and an employee's annual defined benefit excess... under the two formulas or one. Therefore, after 35 years, the employee has a cumulative disparity...

Streamlining Collaborative Planning in Spacecraft Mission Architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Misra, Dhariti; Bopf, Michel; Fishman, Mark; Jones, Jeremy; Kerbel, Uri; Pell, Vince

2000-01-01

During the past two decades, the planning and scheduling community has substantially increased the capability and efficiency of individual planning and scheduling systems. Relatively recently, research work to streamline collaboration between planning systems is gaining attention. Spacecraft missions stand to benefit substantially from this work as they require the coordination of multiple planning organizations and planning systems. Up to the present time this coordination has demanded a great deal of human intervention and/or extensive custom software development efforts. This problem will become acute with increased requirements for cross-mission plan coordination and multi -spacecraft mission planning. The Advanced Architectures and Automation Branch of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is taking innovative steps to define collaborative planning architectures, and to identify coordinated planning tools for Cross-Mission Campaigns. Prototypes are being developed to validate these architectures and assess the usefulness of the coordination tools by the planning community. This presentation will focus on one such planning coordination too], named Visual Observation Layout Tool (VOLT), which is currently being developed to streamline the coordination between astronomical missions

Reference condition approach to restoration planning

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nestler, J.M.; Theiling, C.H.; Lubinski, S.J.; Smith, D.L.

2010-01-01

Ecosystem restoration planning requires quantitative rigor to evaluate alternatives, define end states, report progress and perform environmental benefits analysis (EBA). Unfortunately, existing planning frameworks are, at best, semi-quantitative. In this paper, we: (1) describe a quantitative restoration planning approach based on a comprehensive, but simple mathematical framework that can be used to effectively apply knowledge and evaluate alternatives, (2) use the approach to derive a simple but precisely defined lexicon based on the reference condition concept and allied terms and (3) illustrate the approach with an example from the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) using hydrologic indicators. The approach supports the development of a scaleable restoration strategy that, in theory, can be expanded to ecosystem characteristics such as hydraulics, geomorphology, habitat and biodiversity. We identify three reference condition types, best achievable condition (A BAC), measured magnitude (MMi which can be determined at one or many times and places) and desired future condition (ADFC) that, when used with the mathematical framework, provide a complete system of accounts useful for goal-oriented system-level management and restoration. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A non-linear optimization programming model for air quality planning including co-benefits for GHG emissions.

PubMed

Turrini, Enrico; Carnevale, Claudio; Finzi, Giovanna; Volta, Marialuisa

2018-04-15

This paper introduces the MAQ (Multi-dimensional Air Quality) model aimed at defining cost-effective air quality plans at different scales (urban to national) and assessing the co-benefits for GHG emissions. The model implements and solves a non-linear multi-objective, multi-pollutant decision problem where the decision variables are the application levels of emission abatement measures allowing the reduction of energy consumption, end-of pipe technologies and fuel switch options. The objectives of the decision problem are the minimization of tropospheric secondary pollution exposure and of internal costs. The model assesses CO 2 equivalent emissions in order to support decision makers in the selection of win-win policies. The methodology is tested on Lombardy region, a heavily polluted area in northern Italy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Doing the Math on Teacher Pensions: How to Protect Teachers and Taxpayers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doherty, Kathryn M.; Jacobs, Sandi; Lueken, Martin F.

2015-01-01

Challenging the claims of pension boards and other groups about the cost-effectiveness, fairness and flexibility of the traditional defined benefit pension plans still in place in 38 states, this report includes a report card on each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with a detailed analysis of state teacher pension policies, and…

Awakening consumer stewardship of health benefits: prevalence and differentiation of new health plan models.

PubMed

Rosenthal, Meredith; Milstein, Arnold

2004-08-01

Despite widespread publicity of consumer-directed health plans, little is known about their prevalence and the extent to which their designs adequately reflect and support consumerism. We examined three types of consumer-directed health plans: health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), premium-tiered, and point-of-care tiered benefit plans. We sought to measure the extent to which these plans had diffused, as well as to provide a critical look at the ways in which these plans support consumerism. Consumerism in this context refers to efforts to enable informed consumer choice and consumers' involvement in managing their health. We also wished to determine whether mainstream health plans-health maintenance organization (HMO), point of service (POS), and preferred provider organization (PPO) models-were being influenced by consumerism. Our study uses national survey data collected by Mercer Human Resource Consulting from 680 national and regional commercial health benefit plans on HMO, PPO, POS, and consumer-directed products. We defined consumer-directed products as health benefit plans that provided (1) consumer incentives to select more economical health care options, including self-care and no care, and (2) information and support to inform such selections. We asked health plans that offered consumer-directed products about 2003 enrollment, basic design features, and the availability of decision support. We also asked mainstream health plans about their activities that supported consumerism (e.g., proactive outreach to inform or influence enrollee behavior, such as self-management or preventive care, reminders sent to patients with identified medical conditions.) We analyzed survey responses for all four product lines in order to identify those plans that offer health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), premium-tiered, or point-of-care tiered models as well as efforts of mainstream health plans to engage informed consumer decision making. The majority of enrollees in consumer-directed health plans are in tiered models (primarily point-of-care tiered networks) rather than HRAs. Tiers are predominantly determined based on both cost and quality criteria. Enrollment in HRAs has grown substantially, in part because of the entry of mainstream managed care plans into the consumer-directed market. Health reimbursement accounts, tiered networks, and traditional managed care plans vary in their capacity to support consumers in managing their health risks and selection of provider and treatment options, with HRAs providing the most and mainstream plans the least. While enrollment in consumer-directed health plans continues to grow steadily, it remains a tiny fraction of all employer-sponsored coverage. Decision support in these plans, a critical link to help consumers make more informed choices, is also still limited. This lack may be of concern in light of the fact that only a minority of such plans report that they monitor claims to protect against underuse. Tiered benefit models appear to be more readily accepted by the market than HRAs. If they are to succeed in optimizing consumers' utility from health benefit spending, careful attention needs to be paid to how well these models inform consumers about the consequences of their selections.

Awakening Consumer Stewardship of Health Benefits: Prevalence and Differentiation of New Health Plan Models

PubMed Central

Rosenthal, Meredith; Milstein, Arnold

2004-01-01

Context Despite widespread publicity of consumer-directed health plans, little is known about their prevalence and the extent to which their designs adequately reflect and support consumerism. Objective We examined three types of consumer-directed health plans: health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), premium-tiered, and point-of-care tiered benefit plans. We sought to measure the extent to which these plans had diffused, as well as to provide a critical look at the ways in which these plans support consumerism. Consumerism in this context refers to efforts to enable informed consumer choice and consumers' involvement in managing their health. We also wished to determine whether mainstream health plans—health maintenance organization (HMO), point of service (POS), and preferred provider organization (PPO) models—were being influenced by consumerism. Data Sources/Study Setting Our study uses national survey data collected by Mercer Human Resource Consulting from 680 national and regional commercial health benefit plans on HMO, PPO, POS, and consumer-directed products. Study Design We defined consumer-directed products as health benefit plans that provided (1) consumer incentives to select more economical health care options, including self-care and no care, and (2) information and support to inform such selections. We asked health plans that offered consumer-directed products about 2003 enrollment, basic design features, and the availability of decision support. We also asked mainstream health plans about their activities that supported consumerism (e.g., proactive outreach to inform or influence enrollee behavior, such as self-management or preventive care, reminders sent to patients with identified medical conditions.) Data Collection/Extraction Methods We analyzed survey responses for all four product lines in order to identify those plans that offer health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), premium-tiered, or point-of-care tiered models as well as efforts of mainstream health plans to engage informed consumer decision making. Principal Findings The majority of enrollees in consumer-directed health plans are in tiered models (primarily point-of-care tiered networks) rather than HRAs. Tiers are predominantly determined based on both cost and quality criteria. Enrollment in HRAs has grown substantially, in part because of the entry of mainstream managed care plans into the consumer-directed market. Health reimbursement accounts, tiered networks, and traditional managed care plans vary in their capacity to support consumers in managing their health risks and selection of provider and treatment options, with HRAs providing the most and mainstream plans the least. Conclusions While enrollment in consumer-directed health plans continues to grow steadily, it remains a tiny fraction of all employer-sponsored coverage. Decision support in these plans, a critical link to help consumers make more informed choices, is also still limited. This lack may be of concern in light of the fact that only a minority of such plans report that they monitor claims to protect against underuse. Tiered benefit models appear to be more readily accepted by the market than HRAs. If they are to succeed in optimizing consumers' utility from health benefit spending, careful attention needs to be paid to how well these models inform consumers about the consequences of their selections. PMID:15230911

20 CFR 1002.171 - How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account... benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account...

20 CFR 1002.171 - How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account... benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account...

20 CFR 1002.171 - How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account... benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account...

20 CFR 1002.171 - How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account... benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides health plan coverage through a health benefits account...

Cost Sharing, Family Health Care Burden, and the Use of Specialty Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

PubMed Central

Karaca-Mandic, Pinar; Joyce, Geoffrey F; Goldman, Dana P; Laouri, Marianne

2010-01-01

Objectives To examine the impact of benefit generosity and household health care financial burden on the demand for specialty drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data Sources/Study Setting Enrollment, claims, and benefit design information for 35 large private employers during 2000–2005. Study Design We estimated multivariate models of the effects of benefit generosity and household financial burden on initiation and continuation of biologic therapies. Data Extraction Methods We defined initiation of biologic therapy as first-time use of etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab, and we constructed an index of plan generosity based on coverage of biologic therapies in each plan. We estimated the household's burden by summing up the annual out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses of other family members. Principal Findings Benefit generosity affected both the likelihood of initiating a biologic and continuing drug therapy, although the effects were stronger for initiation. Initiation of a biologic was lower in households where other family members incurred high OOP expenses. Conclusions The use of biologic therapy for RA is sensitive to benefit generosity and household financial burden. The increasing use of coinsurance rates for specialty drugs (as under Medicare Part D) raises concern about adverse health consequences. PMID:20831715

Plant-Based Diets: A Physician’s Guide

PubMed Central

Hever, Julieanna

2016-01-01

Because of the ever-increasing body of evidence in support of the health advantages of plant-based nutrition, there is a need for guidance on implementing its practice. This article provides physicians and other health care practitioners an overview of the myriad benefits of a plant-based diet as well as details on how best to achieve a well-balanced, nutrient-dense meal plan. It also defines notable nutrient sources, describes how to get started, and offers suggestions on how health care practitioners can encourage their patients to achieve goals, adhere to the plan, and experience success. PMID:27400178

Do Medicare Beneficiaries Living With HIV/AIDS Choose Prescription Drug Plans That Minimize Their Total Spending?

PubMed

Desmond, Katherine A; Rice, Thomas H; Leibowitz, Arleen A

2017-01-01

This article examines whether California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV/AIDS choose Part D prescription drug plans that minimize their expenses. Among beneficiaries without low-income supplementation, we estimate the excess cost, and the insurance policy and beneficiary characteristics responsible, when the lowest cost plan is not chosen. We use a cost calculator developed for this study, and 2010 drug use data on 1453 California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV who were taking antiretroviral medications. Excess spending is defined as the difference between projected total spending (premium and cost sharing) for the beneficiary's current drug regimen in own plan vs spending for the lowest cost alternative plan. Regression analyses related this excess spending to individual and plan characteristics. We find that beneficiaries pay more for Medicare Part D plans with gap coverage and no deductible. Higher premiums for more extensive coverage exceeded savings in deductible and copayment/coinsurance costs. We conclude that many beneficiaries pay for plan features whose costs exceed their benefits.

Do Medicare Beneficiaries Living With HIV/AIDS Choose Prescription Drug Plans That Minimize Their Total Spending?

PubMed Central

Desmond, Katherine A.; Rice, Thomas H.; Leibowitz, Arleen A.

2017-01-01

This article examines whether California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV/AIDS choose Part D prescription drug plans that minimize their expenses. Among beneficiaries without low-income supplementation, we estimate the excess cost, and the insurance policy and beneficiary characteristics responsible, when the lowest cost plan is not chosen. We use a cost calculator developed for this study, and 2010 drug use data on 1453 California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV who were taking antiretroviral medications. Excess spending is defined as the difference between projected total spending (premium and cost sharing) for the beneficiary’s current drug regimen in own plan vs spending for the lowest cost alternative plan. Regression analyses related this excess spending to individual and plan characteristics. We find that beneficiaries pay more for Medicare Part D plans with gap coverage and no deductible. Higher premiums for more extensive coverage exceeded savings in deductible and copayment/coinsurance costs. We conclude that many beneficiaries pay for plan features whose costs exceed their benefits. PMID:28990452

26 CFR 1.415(b)-1 - Limitations for defined benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... is $70,000 in 2013. (ii) Conclusion. As of the end of the 2013 limitation year, O's average... 2013. See paragraph (a)(5)(iii) of this section. Example 5. (i) Facts. The facts are the same as in... annual adjustment factor described in § 1.415(d)-1(a)(2)(ii) for 2011 through 2013 is 1.03 for each year...

Medicaid program; state plan home and community-based services, 5-year period for waivers, provider payment reassignment, and home and community-based setting requirements for Community First Choice and home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. Final rule.

PubMed

2014-01-16

This final rule amends the Medicaid regulations to define and describe state plan section 1915(i) home and community-based services (HCBS) under the Social Security Act (the Act) amended by the Affordable Care Act. This rule offers states new flexibilities in providing necessary and appropriate services to elderly and disabled populations. This rule describes Medicaid coverage of the optional state plan benefit to furnish home and community based-services and draw federal matching funds. This rule also provides for a 5-year duration for certain demonstration projects or waivers at the discretion of the Secretary, when they provide medical assistance for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare benefits, includes payment reassignment provisions because state Medicaid programs often operate as the primary or only payer for the class of practitioners that includes HCBS providers, and amends Medicaid regulations to provide home and community-based setting requirements related to the Affordable Care Act for Community First Choice State plan option. This final rule also makes several important changes to the regulations implementing Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers.

Defining the road ahead: thinking strategically in the new era of health care reform.

PubMed

Pudlowski, Edward M

2011-01-01

Understanding the implications of the new health care reform legislation, including those provisions that do not take effect for several years, will be critical in developing a successful strategic plan under the new environment of health care reform and avoiding unintended consequences of decisions made without the benefit of long-term thinking. Although this article is not a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and opportunities that exist under health care reform, nor a layout of all of the issues, it looks at some of the key areas in order to demonstrate why employers need to identify critical pathways and the associated risks and benefits of each decision. Key health care reform areas include insurance market reforms, grandfather rules, provisions that have the potential to influence the underlying cost of health care, the individual mandate, the employer mandate (including the free-choice voucher program) and the excise tax on high-cost plans.

The impact of retirement account distributions on measures of family income.

PubMed

Iams, Howard M; Purcell, Patrick J

2013-01-01

In recent decades, employers have increasingly replaced defined benefit (DB) pensions with defined contribution (DC) retirement accounts for their employees. DB plans provide annuities, or lifetime benefits paid at regular intervals. The timing and amounts of DC distributions, however, may vary widely. Most surveys that provide data on the family income of the aged either collect no data on nonannuity retirement account distributions, or exclude such distributions from their summary measures of family income. We use Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data for 2009 to estimate the impact of including retirement account distributions on total family income calculations. We find that about one-fifth of aged families received distributions from retirement accounts in 2009. Measured mean income for those families would be about 15 percent higher and median income would be 18 percent higher if those distributions were included in the SIPP summary measure of family income.

TU-F-12A-04: Differential Radiation Avoidance of Functional Liver Regions Defined by 99mTc-Sulfur Colloid SPECT/CT with Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bowen, S; Miyaoka, R; Kinahan, P

2014-06-15

Purpose: Radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients is conventionally planned without consideration of spatial heterogeneity in hepatic function, which may increase risk of radiation-induced liver disease. Pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiotherapy (pRT) plans were generated to differentially decrease dose to functional liver volumes (FLV) defined on [{sup 99m}Tc]sulfur colloid (SC) SPECT/CT images (functional avoidance plans) and compared against conventional pRT plans. Methods: Three HCC patients underwent SC SPECT/CT scans for pRT planning acquired 15 min post injection over 24 min. Images were reconstructed with OSEM following scatter, collimator, and exhale CT attenuation correction. Functional liver volumes (FLV) were defined bymore » liver:spleen uptake ratio thresholds (43% to 90% maximum). Planning objectives to FLV were based on mean SC SPECT uptake ratio relative to GTV-subtracted liver and inversely scaled to mean liver dose of 20 Gy. PTV target coverage (V{sub 95}) was matched between conventional and functional avoidance plans. PBS pRT plans were optimized in RayStation for single field uniform dose (SFUD) and systematically perturbed to verify robustness to uncertainty in range, setup, and motion. Relative differences in FLV DVH and target dose heterogeneity (D{sub 2}-D{sub 98})/D50 were assessed. Results: For similar liver dose between functional avoidance and conventional PBS pRT plans (D{sub mean}≤5% difference, V{sub 18Gy}≤1% difference), dose to functional liver volumes were lower in avoidance plans but varied in magnitude across patients (FLV{sub 70%max} D{sub mean}≤26% difference, V{sub 18Gy}≤8% difference). Higher PTV dose heterogeneity in avoidance plans was associated with lower functional liver dose, particularly for the largest lesion [(D{sub 2}-D{sub 98})/D{sub 50}=13%, FLV{sub 90%max}=50% difference]. Conclusion: Differential avoidance of functional liver regions defined on sulfur colloid SPECT/CT is feasible with proton therapy. The magnitude of benefit appears to be patient specific and dependent on tumor location, size, and proximity to functional volumes. Further investigation in a larger cohort of patients may validate the clinical utility of functional avoidance planning of HCC radiotherapy.« less

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974: rules and regulations for administration and enforcement; claims procedure. Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, Labor. Final regulation.

PubMed

2000-11-21

This document contains a final regulation revising the minimum requirements for benefit claims procedures of employee benefit plans covered by Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act). The regulation establishes new standards for the processing of claims under group health plans and plans providing disability benefits and further clarifies existing standards for all other employee benefit plans. The new standards are intended to ensure more timely benefit determinations, to improve access to information on which a benefit determination is made, and to assure that participants and beneficiaries will be afforded a full and fair review of denied claims. When effective, the regulation will affect participants and beneficiaries of employee benefit plans, employers who sponsor employee benefit plans, plan fiduciaries, and others who assist in the provision of plan benefits, such as third-party benefits administrators and health service providers or health maintenance organizations that provide benefits to participants and beneficiaries of employee benefit plans.

Planning nonlinear access paths for temporal bone surgery.

PubMed

Fauser, Johannes; Sakas, Georgios; Mukhopadhyay, Anirban

2018-05-01

Interventions at the otobasis operate in the narrow region of the temporal bone where several highly sensitive organs define obstacles with minimal clearance for surgical instruments. Nonlinear trajectories for potential minimally invasive interventions can provide larger distances to risk structures and optimized orientations of surgical instruments, thus improving clinical outcomes when compared to existing linear approaches. In this paper, we present fast and accurate planning methods for such nonlinear access paths. We define a specific motion planning problem in [Formula: see text] with notable constraints in computation time and goal pose that reflect the requirements of temporal bone surgery. We then present [Formula: see text]-RRT-Connect: two suitable motion planners based on bidirectional Rapidly exploring Random Tree (RRT) to solve this problem efficiently. The benefits of [Formula: see text]-RRT-Connect are demonstrated on real CT data of patients. Their general performance is shown on a large set of realistic synthetic anatomies. We also show that these new algorithms outperform state-of-the-art methods based on circular arcs or Bézier-Splines when applied to this specific problem. With this work, we demonstrate that preoperative and intra-operative planning of nonlinear access paths is possible for minimally invasive surgeries at the otobasis.

Pre-defined and optional staging for the deployment of enterprise systems: a case study and a framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lichtenstein, Yossi; Cucuy, Shy; Fink, Lior

2017-03-01

The effective deployment of enterprise systems has been a major challenge for many organisations. Customising the new system, changing business processes, and integrating multiple information sources are all difficult tasks. As such, they are typically done in carefully planned stages in a process known as phased implementation. Using ideas from Option Theory, this article critiques aspects of phased implementation. One customer relationship management (CRM) project and its phased implementation are described in detail and ten other enterprise system deployments are summarised as a basis for the observation that almost all deployment stages are pre-defined operational steps rather than decision points. However, Option Theory suggests that optional stages, to be used only when risk materialises, should be integral parts of project plans. Although such optional stages are often more valuable than pre-defined stages, the evidence presented in this article shows that they are only rarely utilised. Therefore, a simple framework is presented; it first identifies risks related to the deployment of enterprise systems, then identifies optional stages that can mitigate these risks, and finally compares the costs and benefits of both pre-defined and optional stages.

Improve strategic supplier performance using DMAIC to develop a Quality Improvement Plan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jardim, Kevin P.

Supplier performance that meets the requirements of the customer has long plagued quality professionals. Despite the vast efforts by organizations to improve supplier performance, little has been done to standardize the plan to improve performance. This project presents a guideline and problem-solving strategy using a Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) structured tool that will assist in the management and improvement of supplier performance. An analysis of benchmarked Quality Improvement Plans indicated that this topic needs more focus on how to accomplish improved supplier performance. This project is part of a growing body of supplier continuous improvement efforts. With the input of Zodiac Aerospace quality professionals this project's results provide a solution to Quality Improvement Plans and show objective evidence of its benefits. This project contributes to the future research on similar topics.

26 CFR 1.401(a)(9)-6 - Required minimum distributions for defined benefit plans and annuity contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... interest rate and the Mortality Table provided in Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-2 C.B. 632), illustrate the...-quarters age 79 rate. 6 Five percent discounted 18 months (1.05+(−1.5)). 7 Blended age 79/age 80 mortality... mortality tables applicable to such date); and (4) The end point of the period certain, if any, for any...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(9)-6 - Required minimum distributions for defined benefit plans and annuity contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... interest rate and the Mortality Table provided in Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-2 C.B. 632), illustrate the...-quarters age 79 rate. 6 Five percent discounted 18 months (1.05+(−1.5)). 7 Blended age 79/age 80 mortality... mortality tables applicable to such date); and (4) The end point of the period certain, if any, for any...

26 CFR 1.401(a)(9)-6 - Required minimum distributions for defined benefit plans and annuity contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... interest rate and the Mortality Table provided in Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-2 C.B. 632), illustrate the...-quarters age 79 rate. 6 Five percent discounted 18 months (1.05∧(−1.5)). 7 Blended age 79/age 80 mortality... mortality tables applicable to such date); and (4) The end point of the period certain, if any, for any...

5 CFR 890.201 - Minimum standards for health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Minimum standards for health benefits... SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.201 Minimum standards for health benefits plans. (a) To qualify for approval by OPM, a health benefits plan...

5 CFR 890.201 - Minimum standards for health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Minimum standards for health benefits... SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.201 Minimum standards for health benefits plans. (a) To qualify for approval by OPM, a health benefits plan...

Ethics Analysis of Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease

PubMed Central

Illes, J.; Rosen, A.; Greicius, M.; Racine, E.

2009-01-01

This article focuses on the prospects and ethics of using neuroimaging to predict Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is motivated by consideration of the historical roles of science in medicine and society, and considerations specifically contemporary of capabilities in imaging and aging, and the benefits and hope they bring. A general consensus is that combinations of imaging methods will ultimately be most fruitful in predicting disease. Their roll-out into translational practice will not be free of complexity, however, as culture and values differ in terms of what defines benefit and risk, who will benefit and who is at risk, what methods must be in place to assure the maximum safety, comfort, and protection of subjects and patients, and educational and policy needs. Proactive planning for the ethical and societal implications of predicting diseases of the aging brain is critical and will benefit all stakeholders— researchers, patients and families, health care providers, and policy makers. PMID:17413029

The role of tethers on space station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vontiesenhausen, G. (Editor)

1985-01-01

The results of research and development that addressed the usefulness of tether applications in space, particularly for space station are described. A well organized and structured effort of considerable magnitude involving NASA, industry and academia have defined the engineering and technological requirements of space tethers and their broad range of economic and operational benefits. The work directed by seven NASA Field Centers is consolidated and structured to cover the general and specific roles of tethers in space as they apply to NASA's planned space station. This is followed by a description of tether systems and operations. A summary of NASA's plans for tether applications in space for years to come is given.

Energy Efficient Engine: Control system preliminary definition report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howe, David C.

1986-01-01

The object of the Control Preliminary Definition Program was to define a preliminary control system concept as a part of the Energy Efficient Engine program. The program was limited to a conceptual definition of a full authority digital electronic control system. System requirements were determined and a control system was conceptually defined to these requirements. Areas requiring technological development were identified and a plan was established for implementing the identified technological features, including a control technology demonstration. A significant element of this program was a study of the potential benefits of closed-loop active clearance control, along with laboratory tests of candidate clearance sensor elements for a closed loop system.

Results of the Inclusion of New Medications in the Obligatory Health System Plan in Colombia, 2012-2013.

PubMed

Machado-Alba, Jorge Enrique; Torres, Daniel; Portilla, Alfredo; Felipe Ruiz, Andrés

2015-12-01

The Colombian health care system has had a plan with limited benefits, but since 2012, 57 drugs have been added to this plan. The objective of this article was to describe the trends of utilization and costs of medications covered by the Agreement 029/2011 and compare them with those that were contained in the benefits plan. This descriptive study involved a group of 3.8 million people affiliated with the Colombian health care system, in 110 cities from July 2011 until June 2013. The variables were new medications that were included, comparing them with homologous medications that were already in the plan, age, sex, dispensed quantities, and monthly billing. The study established the defined daily dosage per thousand inhabitants per day, cost per thousand inhabitants per day, cost per capita, and the rate of adoption or replacement medicines. The growth in the consumption of new medications was 830.0%. The defined daily dosage per thousand inhabitants per day grew from 4.3 to 42.9, with an increase of 905.5%. Medications with the highest growth were losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (15,723%), esomeprazole (4193%), atorvastatin (1402%), and sertraline (298%). There was an increase of US $16.40 in the cost per thousand inhabitants per day, which is equivalent to an increase of 61.7% and represents a rise of US $0.49 in cost per capita per month. The consumption behavior of new medications and the economic implications for Colombia can be demonstrated. In particular, the growth in the consumption of medications for chronic diseases can be seen, which would represent an increase of US $22.6 million per month to the entire population of the country. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pension Plan Types and Financial Literacy in Later Life.

PubMed

Li, Yang; Burr, Jeffrey A; Miller, Edward Alan

2017-09-09

The ongoing shift from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) pension plans means that middle-aged and older adults are increasingly being called upon to manage their own fiscal security in retirement. Yet, half of older Americans are financially illiterate, lacking the knowledge and skills to manage financial resources. This study investigates whether pension plan types are associated with varying levels of financial literacy among older Americans. Cross-sectional analyses of the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (n = 1,281) using logistic and linear regression models were employed to investigate the association between different pension plans and multiple indicators of financial literacy. The potential moderating effect of gender was also examined. Respondents with DC plans, with or without additional DB plans, were more likely to correctly answer various financial literacy questions, in comparison with respondents with DB plans only. Men with both DC and DB plans scored significantly higher on the financial literacy index than women with both types of plans, relative to respondents with DB plans only. Middle-aged and older adults, who are incentivized by participation in DC plans to manage financial resources and decide where to invest pension funds, tend to self-educate to improve financial knowledge and skills, thereby resulting in greater financial literacy. This finding suggests that traditional financial education programs may not be the only means of achieving financial literacy. Further consideration should be given to providing older adults with continued, long-term exposure to financial decision-making opportunities. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

48 CFR 1602.170-9 - Health benefits plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Health benefits plan. 1602... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP Terms 1602.170-9 Health benefits plan. Health benefits plan means a group insurance policy, contract...

48 CFR 1602.170-9 - Health benefits plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Health benefits plan. 1602... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP Terms 1602.170-9 Health benefits plan. Health benefits plan means a group insurance policy, contract...

48 CFR 1602.170-9 - Health benefits plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Health benefits plan. 1602... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP Terms 1602.170-9 Health benefits plan. Health benefits plan means a group insurance policy, contract...

48 CFR 1602.170-9 - Health benefits plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Health benefits plan. 1602... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP Terms 1602.170-9 Health benefits plan. Health benefits plan means a group insurance policy, contract...

48 CFR 1602.170-9 - Health benefits plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Health benefits plan. 1602... EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS Definitions of FEHBP Terms 1602.170-9 Health benefits plan. Health benefits plan means a group insurance policy, contract...

29 CFR 2520.102-3 - Contents of summary plan description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... following statement: Your pension benefits under this plan are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty... disabled before the plan terminates; and (3) certain benefits for your survivors. The PBGC guarantee... in an early retirement monthly benefit greater than your monthly benefit at the plan's normal...

29 CFR 2520.102-3 - Contents of summary plan description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... following statement: Your pension benefits under this plan are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty... disabled before the plan terminates; and (3) certain benefits for your survivors. The PBGC guarantee... in an early retirement monthly benefit greater than your monthly benefit at the plan's normal...

29 CFR 2520.102-3 - Contents of summary plan description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... following statement: Your pension benefits under this plan are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty... disabled before the plan terminates; and (3) certain benefits for your survivors. The PBGC guarantee... in an early retirement monthly benefit greater than your monthly benefit at the plan's normal...

Excess Benefit Plans and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Palns Under ERISA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vogel, Mark A.

1977-01-01

The benefits of and restrictions imposed on qualified pension and profit-sharing plans are discussed in terms of Excess Benefit Plans (EPB), a type of deferred compensation plan. EPBs and unfunded deferred compensation plans offer flexible methods of providing additional benefits for executives and key employees. (LBH)

An Econometric Analysis of the Effectiveness of Compensation to Retention

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

increased significantly in recent years. A 2005 study estimated that 72 percent of enlisted members had one or more years of college education...DoD only uses basic pay in calculating the retirement annuity. The Office of the Actuary found that while a 20-year retiree may be entitled to 50...percent of RMC ( Actuary , 2007:10). The current retirement system available to eligible uniformed personnel is a defined benefit plan. Employee

To establish a special rule for determining normal retirement age for certain existing defined benefit plans.

THOMAS, 113th Congress

Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3

2014-12-04

House - 12/04/2014 Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the... (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Strategic foresight: how planning for the unpredictable can improve environmental decision-making.

PubMed

Cook, Carly N; Inayatullah, Sohail; Burgman, Mark A; Sutherland, William J; Wintle, Brendan A

2014-09-01

Advanced warning of potential new opportunities and threats related to biodiversity allows decision-makers to act strategically to maximize benefits or minimize costs. Strategic foresight explores possible futures, their consequences for decisions, and the actions that promote more desirable futures. Foresight tools, such as horizon scanning and scenario planning, are increasingly used by governments and business for long-term strategic planning and capacity building. These tools are now being applied in ecology, although generally not as part of a comprehensive foresight strategy. We highlight several ways foresight could play a more significant role in environmental decisions by: monitoring existing problems, highlighting emerging threats, identifying promising new opportunities, testing the resilience of policies, and defining a research agenda. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

20 CFR 1002.261 - Who is responsible for funding any plan obligation to provide the employee with pension benefits?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Who is responsible for funding any plan... and Benefits Pension Plan Benefits § 1002.261 Who is responsible for funding any plan obligation to... rules discussed below, the employer is liable to the pension benefit plan to fund any obligation of the...

[Drug registries: post-marketing evaluation of the benefit-risk profile and promotion of appropriateness. The regional point of view].

PubMed

Martelli, Luisa; Venegoni, Mauro

2013-06-01

Italian Regions and the Italian regulatory agency share a common interest in promoting the appropriateness of drug use, containing drug expenditure and acquiring additional evidence on the effectiveness and safety of drugs. Drug registries can help attaining these objectives. Specifically, the registries implemented in Italy were able to cover the first two objectives, whereas some critical issues were raised on the third one. For instance, the data recorded in the registries are not available at regional level to conduct safety and effectiveness investigations. This is a paradox, when considering that drugs included in the registries have a risk-benefit profile that is only partially defined at the moment of marketing. Currently, researchers and regions can conduct epidemiological research (cohort and case control studies), on the basis of record-linkage procedures, on all drugs prescribed in general practice (which are older drugs with a better defined risk-benefit profile). The expected outcomes of registries should be more clearly defined: when the main aim is to promote appropriateness, the recording of only a very limited amount of data should be required (to avoid a bureaucratic burden on clinicians).The Italian centers of the ENCePP network might play an important role in planning and conducting drug registries: through the presence in the steering committees of the registries, and in conducting epidemiological studies that make the most of this powerful instrument.

Benefit, risk and cost of new oral anticoagulants and warfarin in atrial fibrillation; A multicriteria decision analysis.

PubMed

Mendoza-Sanchez, Jose; Silva, Federico; Rangel, Lady; Jaramillo, Linda; Mendoza, Leidy; Garzon, Jenny; Quiroga, Andrea

2018-01-01

Warfarin and new oral anticoagulants are effective in reducing stroke in atrial fibrillation; however, the benefits and risks rates in clinical trials show heterogeneity for each anticoagulant, and is unknown the cost influence on a model considering most of the treatment consequences. We designed a benefit-risk and cost assessment of oral anticoagulants. We followed the roadmap proposed by IMI-PROTECT and the considerations of emerged good practice to perform Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The roadmap defines the following steps: (1) planning, (2) evidence gathering and data preparation, (3) analyses, (4) explorations, and (5) conclusions. We defined two reference points (0-100) to allocate numerical values for scores and weights, and used an analogue numeric scale to assess physicians' preferences. As benefits of the anticoagulant therapy, we included reductions in stroke and all-cause mortality; intracranial haemorrhage, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, minor bleeding and myocardial infarction were considered risks. We also made an estimation of the annual drug cost per person. The scores were: Apixaban 33, Dabigatrán 25, warfarin 18 and Rivaroxaban 14 this score reveals the most preferred up to the less preferred option, considering the benefit-risk ratio and drug costs altogether. The relative model weights were: 51.1% for risks, 40.4% for benefits and 8.5% for cost. The sensitivity analysis confirms the model robustness. From this analysis, apixaban should be considered as the preferred anticoagulant option -due to a better benefit-risk balance and a minor cost influence- followed by dabigatran, warfarin and rivaroxaban.

Early Experience with Employee Choice of Consumer-Directed Health Plans and Satisfaction with Enrollment

PubMed Central

Fowles, Jinnet Briggs; Kind, Elizabeth A; Braun, Barbara L; Bertko, John

2004-01-01

Objective To assess the initial impact of offering consumer-defined health plan (CDHP) options on employees. Data Sources/Study Setting A mail survey of 4,680 employees in the corporate offices of Humana Inc. in June 2001. Study Design The study was a cross-sectional mail survey of employees aged 18 and older who were eligible for health care benefits. The survey was conducted following open enrollment. The primary outcome is the choice of consumer-directed health plan or not; the secondary outcome is satisfaction with the enrollment process. Important covariates include sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, race, educational level, exempt or nonexempt status, type of coverage), health status, health care utilization, and plan design preferences. Data Collection Methods A six-page questionnaire was mailed to the home of each employee, followed by a reminder postcard and two subsequent mailings to nonrespondents. Principal Findings The response rate was 66.2 percent. Seven percent selected one of the two new plan options. Because there were no meaningful differences between employees choosing either of the two new options, these groups were combined in multivariate analysis. A logistic regression modeled the likelihood of choosing the novel plan options. Those selecting the new plans were less likely to be black (odds ratio [OR] 0.46), less likely to have only Humana coverage (OR 0.30), and more likely to have single coverage (OR 1.77). They were less likely to have a chronic health problem (OR 0.56) and more likely to have had no recent medical visits (OR 3.21). They were more likely to believe that lowest premiums were the most important plan attribute (OR 2.89) and to think there were big differences in the premiums of available plans (OR 5.19). Employees in fair or poor health were more likely to have a difficult time during the online enrollment process. They were more likely to find the communications very helpful (OR 0.42) and the benefits information very understandable (OR 0.38). They were less likely to feel that they had enough time to make their enrollment decision (OR 0.47). Conclusions Employees who were attracted to the new CDHP plan options valued the attributes that distinguished these plans from other choices. The shift to consumer-defined plans and to the electronic provision of information, however, requires a significant increase in the communication support for all employees, but particularly for those in fair or poor health whose information needs are the most complex and individualized. PMID:15230917

Developing a strategic plan for a neonatal nurse practitioner service.

PubMed

Lee, Laurie A; Jones, Luann R

2004-10-01

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) have been in practice for over 3 decades. More recently, NNPs have begun to take ownership for building their group practice models. The purpose of this article is to present a detailed case study demonstrating how one NNP group used a 4-phase strategic planning process to turn a crisis into an opportunity. The article describes data obtained during the strategic planning process from an informal national survey of NNP managers that focused on key benchmarks, such as role definition, responsibilities, protected nonclinical time, NNP salary and benefits, and educational and professional development support. Using the strategic planning process, the group defined mutually agreed upon minimum safe staffing levels for NNPs, interns, residents and neonatologists in their setting. Based on the data generated, the group successfully justified additional NNP positions and organizational support for 10% protected nonclinical time. A sample operational budget, comparison of 3 staffing scenarios, and a timeline are also provided.

Structure of the physical therapy benefit in a typical Blue Cross Blue Shield preferred provider organization plan available in the individual insurance market in 2011.

PubMed

Sandstrom, Robert W; Lehman, Jedd; Hahn, Lee; Ballard, Andrew

2013-10-01

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 establishes American Health Benefit Exchanges. The benefit design of insurance plans in state health insurance exchanges will be based on the structure of existing small-employer-sponsored plans. The purpose of this study was to describe the structure of the physical therapy benefit in a typical Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan available in the individual insurance market in 2011. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The physical therapy benefit within 39 BCBS PPO plans in 2011 was studied for a standard consumer with a standard budget. First, whether physical therapy was a benefit in the plan was determined. If so, then the structure of the benefit was described in terms of whether the physical therapy benefit was a stand-alone benefit or part of a combined-discipline benefit and whether a visit or financial limit was placed on the physical therapy benefit. Physical therapy was included in all BCBS plans that were studied. Ninety-three percent of plans combined physical therapy with other disciplines. Two thirds of plans placed a limit on the number of visits covered. The results of the study are limited to 1 standard consumer, 1 association of insurance companies, 1 form of insurance (a PPO), and 1 PPO plan in each of the 39 states that were studied. Physical therapy is a covered benefit in a typical BCBS PPO health insurance plan. Physical therapy most often is combined with other therapy disciplines, and the number of covered visits is limited in two thirds of plans.

Role of GIS in social sector planning: can developing countries benefit from the examples of primary health care (PHC) planning in Britain?

PubMed

Ishfaq, Mohammad; Lodhi, Bilal Khan

2012-04-01

Social sector planning requires rational approaches where community needs are identified by referring to relative deprivation among localities and resources are allocated to address inequalities. Geographical information system (GIS) has been widely argued and used as a base for rational planning for equal resource allocation in social sectors around the globe. Devolution of primary health care is global strategy that needs pains taking efforts to implement it. GIS is one of the most important tools used around the world in decentralization process of primary health care. This paper examines the scope of GIS in social sector planning by concentration on primary health care delivery system in Pakistan. The work is based on example of the UK's decentralization process and further evidence from US. This paper argues that to achieve benefits of well informed decision making to meet the communities' needs GIS is an essential tool to support social sector planning and can be used without any difficulty in any environment. There is increasing trend in the use of Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Pakistan with ample internet connectivity which provides well established infrastructure in Pakistan to implement GIS for health care, however there is need for change in attitude towards empowering localities especially with reference to decentralization of decision making. This paper provides GIS as a tool for primary health care planning in Pakistan as a starting point in defining localities and preparing locality profiles for need identification that could help developing countries in implementing the change.

29 CFR 2510.3-102 - Definition of “plan assets”-participant contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... in cash. (c) Maximum time period for welfare benefit plans. With respect to an employee welfare...) of this section shall apply to such plan as if such plan were an employee welfare benefit plan. (i...) of this section shall apply to such plan as if such plan were an employee welfare benefit plan. [61...

Study of utilization of advanced composites in fuselage structures of large transports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, A. C.; Campion, M. C.; Pei, G.

1984-01-01

The effort required by the transport aircraft manufacturers to support the introduction of advanced composite materials into the fuselage structure of future commercial and military transport aircraft is investigated. Technology issues, potential benefits to military life cycle costs and commercial operating costs, and development plans are examined. The most urgent technology issues defined are impact dynamics, acoustic transmission, pressure containment and damage tolerance, post-buckling, cutouts, and joints and splices. A technology demonstration program is defined and a rough cost and schedule identified. The fabrication and test of a full-scale fuselage barrel section is presented. Commercial and military benefits are identified. Fuselage structure weight savings from use of advanced composites are 16.4 percent for the commercial and 21.8 percent for the military. For the all-composite airplanes the savings are 26 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Commercial/operating costs are reduced by 5 percent for the all-composite airplane and military life cycle costs by 10 percent.

Nurse manager succession planning: A cost-benefit analysis.

PubMed

Phillips, Tracy; Evans, Jennifer L; Tooley, Stephanie; Shirey, Maria R

2018-03-01

This commentary presents a cost-benefit analysis to advocate for the use of succession planning to mitigate the problems ensuing from nurse manager turnover. An estimated 75% of nurse managers will leave the workforce by 2020. Many benefits are associated with proactively identifying and developing internal candidates. Fewer than 7% of health care organisations have implemented formal leadership succession planning programmes. A cost-benefit analysis of a formal succession-planning programme from one hospital illustrates the benefits of the programme in their organisation and can be replicated easily. Assumptions of nursing manager succession planning cost-benefit analysis are identified and discussed. The succession planning exemplar demonstrates the integration of cost-benefit analysis principles. Comparing the costs of a formal nurse manager succession planning strategy with the status quo results in a positive cost-benefit ratio. The implementation of a formal nurse manager succession planning programme effectively reduces replacement costs and time to transition into the new role. This programme provides an internal pipeline of future leaders who will be more successful than external candidates. Using an actual cost-benefit analysis equips nurse managers with valuable evidence depicting succession planning as a viable business strategy. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

78 FR 45615 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for the Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-29

... Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION..., the IRS is soliciting comments concerning the Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan. [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan. OMB...

A demographic dividend of the FP2020 Initiative and the SDG reproductive health target: Case studies of India and Nigeria.

PubMed

Li, Qingfeng; Rimon, Jose G

2018-02-22

Background: The demographic dividend, defined as the economic growth potential resulting from favorable shifts in population age structure following rapid fertility decline, has been widely employed to advocate improving access to family planning. The current framework focuses on the long-term potential, while the short-term benefits may also help persuade policy makers to invest in family planning. Methods: We estimate the short- and medium-term economic benefits from two major family planning goals: the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020)'s goal of adding 120 million modern contraceptive users by 2020; Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.7 of ensuring universal access to family planning by 2030. We apply the cohort component method to World Population Prospects and National Transfer Accounts data. India and Nigeria, respectively the most populous Asian and African country under the FP2020 initiative, are used as case studies. Results: Meeting the FP2020 target implies that on average, the number of children that need to be supported by every 100 working-age people would decrease by 8 persons in India and 11 persons in Nigeria in 2020; the associated reduction remains at 8 persons in India, but increases to 14 persons in Nigeria by 2030 under the SDG 3.7. In India meeting the FP2020 target would yield a saving of US$18.2 billion (PPP) in consumption expenditures for children and youth in the year 2020 alone, and that increased to US$89.7 billion by 2030. In Nigeria the consumption saved would be US$2.5 billion in 2020 and $12.9 billion by 2030. Conclusions: The tremendous economic benefits from meeting the FP2020 and SDG family planning targets demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of investment in promoting access to contraceptive methods. The gap already apparent between the observed and targeted trajectories indicates tremendous missing opportunities. Accelerated progress is needed to achieve the FP2020 and SDG goals and so reap the demographic dividend.

The commercial implications of the EELV program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasso, Steven E.

1998-01-01

There have been several studies over the past 15 years intended to define and develop a space launch system that would meet future needs of the United States Government (USG). While these past studies (Advanced Launch System, National Launch System, Spacelifter, etc) yielded valuable data, none were carried to fruition. Overriding issues included high development cost, changing requirements, and uncertainty in the mission model, as well lack of a clear direction for where this nation should be headed. In 1995, the Air Force embarked on the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program as a way of defining and developing the next-generation expendable launch system. This time groundrules for this effort were clearly defined-the program relied on the use of evolving a system rather than developing a high-technology solution to reduce development cost, and the commercial market was factored in as a way of reducing cost to the USG. The EELV program is nearing the engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase by mid-1998 with first flight planned for early 2001. This paper describes the planned Lockheed Martin EELV program and its ability to utilize the commercial market to benefit the USG in its need to develop the next-generation expendable launch vehicle.

Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Disability Benefits. Final rule.

PubMed

2016-12-19

This document contains a final regulation revising the claims procedure regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) for employee benefit plans providing disability benefits. The final rule revises and strengthens the current rules primarily by adopting certain procedural protections and safeguards for disability benefit claims that are currently applicable to claims for group health benefits pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. This rule affects plan administrators and participants and beneficiaries of plans providing disability benefits, and others who assist in the provision of these benefits, such as third-party benefits administrators and other service providers.

Fly-by-light flight control system technology development plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chakravarty, A.; Berwick, J. W.; Griffith, D. M.; Marston, S. E.; Norton, R. L.

1990-01-01

The results of a four-month, phased effort to develop a Fly-by-Light Technology Development Plan are documented. The technical shortfalls for each phase were identified and a development plan to bridge the technical gap was developed. The production configuration was defined for a 757-type airplane, but it is suggested that the demonstration flight be conducted on the NASA Transport Systems Research Vehicle. The modifications required and verification and validation issues are delineated in this report. A detailed schedule for the phased introduction of fly-by-light system components has been generated. It is concluded that a fiber-optics program would contribute significantly toward developing the required state of readiness that will make a fly-by-light control system not only cost effective but reliable without mitigating the weight and high-energy radio frequency related benefits.

29 CFR 4281.16 - Benefit valuation methods-plans closing out.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., as determined under this subpart. (b) Valuation rule. The present value of nonforfeitable benefits... 4281(b) of ERISA, the plan sponsor shall value the plan's benefits in accordance with paragraph (b) of... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benefit valuation methods-plans closing out. 4281.16...

29 CFR 778.214 - Benefit plans; including profit-sharing plans or trusts providing similar benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benefit plans; including profit-sharing plans or trusts providing similar benefits. 778.214 Section 778.214 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STATEMENTS OF GENERAL POLICY OR INTERPRETATION NOT DIRECTLY RELATED...

12 CFR 330.14 - Retirement and other employee benefit plan accounts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Retirement and other employee benefit plan... STATEMENTS OF GENERAL POLICY DEPOSIT INSURANCE COVERAGE § 330.14 Retirement and other employee benefit plan accounts. (a) “Pass-through” insurance. Any deposits of an employee benefit plan in an insured depository...

Mitigating and adapting to climate change: multi-functional and multi-scale assessment of green urban infrastructure.

PubMed

Demuzere, M; Orru, K; Heidrich, O; Olazabal, E; Geneletti, D; Orru, H; Bhave, A G; Mittal, N; Feliu, E; Faehnle, M

2014-12-15

In order to develop climate resilient urban areas and reduce emissions, several opportunities exist starting from conscious planning and design of green (and blue) spaces in these landscapes. Green urban infrastructure has been regarded as beneficial, e.g. by balancing water flows, providing thermal comfort. This article explores the existing evidence on the contribution of green spaces to climate change mitigation and adaptation services. We suggest a framework of ecosystem services for systematizing the evidence on the provision of bio-physical benefits (e.g. CO2 sequestration) as well as social and psychological benefits (e.g. improved health) that enable coping with (adaptation) or reducing the adverse effects (mitigation) of climate change. The multi-functional and multi-scale nature of green urban infrastructure complicates the categorization of services and benefits, since in reality the interactions between various benefits are manifold and appear on different scales. We will show the relevance of the benefits from green urban infrastructures on three spatial scales (i.e. city, neighborhood and site specific scales). We will further report on co-benefits and trade-offs between the various services indicating that a benefit could in turn be detrimental in relation to other functions. The manuscript identifies avenues for further research on the role of green urban infrastructure, in different types of cities, climates and social contexts. Our systematic understanding of the bio-physical and social processes defining various services allows targeting stressors that may hamper the provision of green urban infrastructure services in individual behavior as well as in wider planning and environmental management in urban areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

29 CFR 4041.31 - Notice of noncompliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION... § 4041.23; (ii) The plan administrator failed to issue notices of plan benefits to all affected parties entitled to plan benefits in accordance with § 4041.24; (iii) The plan administrator failed to file the...

Seeing Health Insurance and HealthCare.gov Through the Eyes of Young Adults.

PubMed

Wong, Charlene A; Asch, David A; Vinoya, Cjloe M; Ford, Carol A; Baker, Tom; Town, Robert; Merchant, Raina M

2015-08-01

We describe young adults' perspectives on health insurance and HealthCare.gov, including their attitudes toward health insurance, health insurance literacy, and benefit and plan preferences. We observed young adults aged 19-30 years in Philadelphia from January to March 2014 as they shopped for health insurance on HealthCare.gov. Participants were then interviewed to elicit their perceived advantages and disadvantages of insurance and factors considered important for plan selection. A 1-month follow-up interview assessed participants' plan enrollment decisions and intended use of health insurance. Data were analyzed using qualitative methodology, and salience scores were calculated for free-listing responses. We enrolled 33 highly educated young adults; 27 completed the follow-up interview. The most salient advantages of health insurance for young adults were access to preventive or primary care (salience score .28) and peace of mind (.27). The most salient disadvantage was the financial strain of paying for health insurance (.72). Participants revealed poor health insurance literacy with 48% incorrectly defining deductible and 78% incorrectly defining coinsurance. The most salient factors reported to influence plan selection were deductible (.48) and premium (.45) amounts as well as preventive care (.21) coverage. The most common intended health insurance use was primary care. Eight participants enrolled in HealthCare.gov plans: six selected silver plans, and three qualified for tax credits. Young adults' perspective on health insurance and enrollment via HealthCare.gov can inform strategies to design health insurance plans and communication about these plans in a way that engages and meets the needs of young adult populations. Copyright © 2015 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Medicaid: Legislation Needed to Improve Collections From Private Insurers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-01

health care coverage include health and liability insurers, ERISA plans, employee welfare benefit plans, workers ’ compen- sation plans, and Medicare. Up to...your office, we focused our Dint SPeaial review on out-of-stabc insurers and employee health benefit plans cov- ered under the Employee Retirement...labor organizations, and other employee organizations that wish to4 .establish welfare benefit plans, which may include health benefits, must meet

5 CFR 890.204 - Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Withdrawal of approval of health benefits... (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.204 Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers. (a) The Director may...

5 CFR 890.204 - Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Withdrawal of approval of health benefits... (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.204 Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers. (a) The Director may...

76 FR 77900 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final...

76 FR 13883 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final...

78 FR 16401 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final...

78 FR 35754 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final...

77 FR 56770 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final...

75 FR 33688 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension...

75 FR 12121 - Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044 Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension...

12 CFR 745.9-2 - Retirement and other employee benefit plan accounts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Retirement and other employee benefit plan... Coverage § 745.9-2 Retirement and other employee benefit plan accounts. (a) Pass-through share insurance. Any shares of an employee benefit plan in an insured credit union shall be insured on a “pass-through...

Developing Federal Clinical Care Recommendations for Women.

PubMed

Godfrey, Emily M; Tepper, Naomi K; Curtis, Kathryn M; Moskosky, Susan B; Gavin, Loretta E

2015-08-01

The provision of family planning services has important health benefits for the U.S. Approximately 25 million women in the U.S. receive contraceptive services annually and 44 million make at least one family planning-related clinical visit each year. These services are provided by private clinicians, as well as publicly funded clinics, including specialty family planning clinics, health departments, Planned Parenthoods, community health centers, and primary care clinics. Recommendations for providing quality family planning services have been published by CDC and the Office of Population Affairs of the DHHS. This paper describes the process used to develop the women's clinical services portion of the new recommendations and the rationale underpinning them. The recommendations define family planning services as contraceptive care, pregnancy testing and counseling, achieving pregnancy, basic infertility care, sexually transmitted disease services, and preconception health. Because many women who seek family planning services have no other source of care, the recommendations also include additional screening services related to women's health, such as cervical cancer screening. These clinical guidelines are aimed at providing the highest-quality care and are designed to establish a national standard for family planning in the U.S. Published by Elsevier Inc.

26 CFR 1.401(a)(9)-6 - Required minimum distributions for defined benefit plans and annuity contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 2011 853,749 525,258 520,109 28,769 496,490 2012 806,053 506,419 501,454 29,034 477,385 2013 758,916... .95574 6 .92943 .04946 7 15,987 2011 8 .90847 .88517 .05519 14,807 2012 .85833 .84302 .06146 13,546 2013... 406,219 2012 806,053 414,343 410,281 23,755 390,588 2013 758,916 398,399 394,494 23,962 374,437 2014...

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Deepwater Force Modernization Plan: Can It Be Accelerated? Will It Meet Changing Security Needs?

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

and air assets that it will operate in the deepwater envi- ronment, defined as territory 50 or more nautical miles from shore. As part of this...Nautical Miles Covered by Airborne Sensors in the 100-Percent Force Structure and the 20-Year Deepwater Acquisition...to operate its cutters for more mission hours and to have its air vehicles monitor more square miles . These benefits would begin to accrue as early

Specialty pharmaceuticals: developing a management plan.

PubMed

Willcutts, Dave

2002-01-01

This is the first in a series of articles that address the complex issues associated with specialty pharmaceuticals in the development of a successful specialty pharmaceutical program, a critical component of managing this high-cost and highly fragmented sector. This article focuses on how to define specialty pharmaceuticals. Other articles in this series will explore such topics as the mechanics of developing and managing a specialty pharmaceutical program, how and when to establish clinical protocols and authorizations, the importance of data management, and the benefits from automated processes.

More choice in health insurance marketplaces may reduce the value of the subsidies available to low-income enrollees.

PubMed

Taylor, Erin A; Saltzman, Evan; Bauhoff, Sebastian; Pacula, Rosalie L; Eibner, Christine

2015-01-01

Federal subsidies available to enrollees in health insurance Marketplaces are pegged to the premium of the second-lowest-cost silver plan available in each rating area (as defined by each state). People who qualify for the subsidy contribute a percentage of their income to purchase coverage, and the federal government covers the remaining cost up to the price of that premium. Because the number of plans offered and plan premiums vary substantially across rating areas, the effective value of the subsidy may vary geographically. We found that the availability of more plans in a rating area was associated with lower premiums but higher deductibles for enrollees in the second-lowest-cost silver plan. In rating areas with more than twenty plans, the average deductible in the second-lowest-cost silver plan was nearly $1,000 higher than it was in rating areas with fewer than thirteen plans. Because premium costs for second-lowest-cost silver plans are capped, deductibles may be a more salient measure of plan value for enrollees than premiums are. Greater standardization of plans or an alternative approach to calculating the subsidy could provide a more consistent benefit to enrollees across various rating areas. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

The development of a 4D treatment planning methodology to simulate the tracking of central lung tumors in an MRI-linac.

PubMed

Al-Ward, Shahad M; Kim, Anthony; McCann, Claire; Ruschin, Mark; Cheung, Patrick; Sahgal, Arjun; Keller, Brian M

2018-01-01

Targeting and tracking of central lung tumors may be feasible on the Elekta MRI-linac (MRL) due to the soft-tissue visualization capabilities of MRI. The purpose of this work is to develop a novel treatment planning methodology to simulate tracking of central lung tumors with the MRL and to quantify the benefits in OAR sparing compared with the ITV approach. Full 4D-CT datasets for five central lung cancer patients were selected to simulate the condition of having 4D-pseudo-CTs derived from 4D-MRI data available on the MRL with real-time tracking capabilities. We used the MRL treatment planning system to generate two plans: (a) with a set of MLC-defined apertures around the target at each phase of the breathing ("4D-MRL" method); (b) with a fixed set of fields encompassing the maximum inhale and exhale of the breathing cycle ("ITV" method). For both plans, dose accumulation was performed onto a reference phase. To further study the potential benefits of a 4D-MRL method, the results were stratified by tumor motion amplitude, OAR-to-tumor proximity, and the relative OAR motion (ROM). With the 4D-MRL method, the reduction in mean doses was up to 3.0 Gy and 1.9 Gy for the heart and the lung. Moreover, the lung's V12.5 Gy was spared by a maximum of 300 cc. Maximum doses to serial organs were reduced by up to 6.1 Gy, 1.5 Gy, and 9.0 Gy for the esophagus, spinal cord, and the trachea, respectively. OAR dose reduction with our method depended on the tumor motion amplitude and the ROM. Some OARs with large ROMs and in close proximity to the tumor benefited from tracking despite small tumor amplitudes. We developed a novel 4D tracking methodology for the MRL for central lung tumors and quantified the potential dosimetric benefits compared with our current ITV approach. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

26 CFR 54.9801-4 - Rules relating to creditable coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Health Benefits Program). (ix) A public health plan. For purposes of this section, a public health plan... individuals who are enrolled in the plan. (x) A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act... plan provides benefits through an insurance policy that, as required by applicable State insurance laws...

42 CFR 423.882 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... qualifying covered retiree under the plan. Benefit option means a particular benefit design, category of benefits, or cost-sharing arrangement offered within a group health plan. Employment-based retiree health... the foregoing, including a health benefits plan offered under chapter 89 of Title 5, United States...

Concepts and Benefits of Lunar Core Drilling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNamara, K. M.; Bogard, D. D.; Derkowski, B. J.; George, J. A.; Askew, R. S.; Lindsay, J. F.

2007-01-01

Understanding lunar material at depth is critical to nearly every aspect of NASA s Vision and Strategic Plan. As we consider sending human s back to the Moon for brief and extended periods, we will need to utilize lunar materials in construction, for resource extraction, and for radiation shielding and protection. In each case, we will be working with materials at some depth beneath the surface. Understanding the properties of that material is critical, thus the need for Lunar core drilling capability. Of course, the science benefit from returning core samples and operating down-hole autonomous experiments is a key element of Lunar missions as defined by NASA s Exploration Systems Architecture Study. Lunar missions will be targeted to answer specific questions concerning lunar science and re-sources.

Feasibility study of an Integrated Program for Aerospace vehicle Design (IPAD). Volume 1B: Concise review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, R. E., Jr.; Southall, J. W.; Kawaguchi, A. S.; Redhed, D. D.

1973-01-01

Reports on the design process, support of the design process, IPAD System design catalog of IPAD technical program elements, IPAD System development and operation, and IPAD benefits and impact are concisely reviewed. The approach used to define the design is described. Major activities performed during the product development cycle are identified. The computer system requirements necessary to support the design process are given as computational requirements of the host system, technical program elements and system features. The IPAD computer system design is presented as concepts, a functional description and an organizational diagram of its major components. The cost and schedules and a three phase plan for IPAD implementation are presented. The benefits and impact of IPAD technology are discussed.

State and local retirement plans: innovation and renovation.

PubMed

Rajnes, D

2001-07-01

This Special Report/Issue Brief examines the universe of state and local retirement plans. It describes how these plans have developed and continue to evolve in a number of areas, including plan features, regulatory framework, governance, and asset management. While these retirement programs differ in many respects from private-sector plans, the disparity in some areas has narrowed. This report also includes a discussion of trends and the underlying forces for change. Public-sector retirement programs provide an important source of pension coverage in the United States, and are a significant part of the total retirement market: Combined public-sector retirement assets (state, local, and federal governments) comprised 29 percent of the $11.2 trillion U.S. retirement market in 1998. State and local plans are dominant in the public-sector retirement market, holding $2.7 trillion in assets, compared with $696 billion held by federal plans (both military and civilian). More than 16 million individuals are employed by state and local jurisdictions in the United States. State and local retirement plans share certain common features because of the environment in which they operate. Legal statutes, governance, and tradition all play a role in defining what is sometimes referred to as a "public-sector culture." Despite common features, there is considerable diversity among public-sector retirement plans. To attract and retain a skilled work force, public-sector employers have increased their use of defined contribution (DC) plans to supplement defined benefit (DB) plans (or, to a lesser extent, replace or serve as an alternative to them) and improve cost-of-living adjustments. At the same time, a combined federal-state regulatory framework has encouraged certain plan design features, unavailable in the private sector, which include multiple tiers for successive generations of employees in a single plan and different strategies to increase portability. State and local retirement plans reflect an increasing role by the federal government in pension system design and operation, which has led to greater complexity in such areas as Social Security participation and deferred compensation arrangements. Complexity can be expected to increase with the recent passage of P.L. 107-16, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. The latest full-year data included in this report are for 1999 and in some cases 2000. After this report went to press, the Federal Reserve issued significantly revised quarterly data for state, local, and federal retirement plan assets, which were not incorporated in this Issue Brief.

5 CFR 890.205 - Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans. 890.205 Section 890.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans...

5 CFR 890.205 - Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans. 890.205 Section 890.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans...

5 CFR 890.205 - Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans. 890.205 Section 890.205 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans...

29 CFR 2510.3-3 - Employee benefit plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... section clarifies the definition in section 3(3) of the term “employee benefit plan” for purposes of title... receive any benefit under the plan even if the contingency for which such benefit is provided should occur... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Employee benefit plan. 2510.3-3 Section 2510.3-3 Labor...

Final rules relating to use of electronic communication and recordkeeping technologies by employee pension and welfare benefit plans. Notice of final rulemaking.

PubMed

2002-04-09

This document contains final rules under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), concerning the disclosure of certain employee benefit plan information through electronic media, and the maintenance and retention of employee benefit plan records in electronic form. The rules establish a safe harbor pursuant to which all pension and welfare benefit plans covered by Title I of ERISA may use electronic media to satisfy disclosure obligations under Title I of ERISA. The rules also provide standards concerning the use of electronic media in the maintenance and retention of records required by sections 107 and 209 of ERISA. The rules affect employee pension and welfare benefit plans, including group health plans, plan sponsors, administrators and fiduciaries, and plan participants and beneficiaries.

Payment policy and inefficient benefits in the Medicare+Choice program.

PubMed

Pizer, Steven D; Frakt, Austin B; Feldman, Roger

2003-06-01

We investigated whether constraints on premium rebates by health plans in the Medicare+Choice program result in inefficient benefits. Since relationships between revenue and benefits could be confounded by unobserved variation in the cost of coverage, we took advantage of natural experiment that occurred following passage of the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000. Our findings indicate that benefits in zero premium plans were more sensitive to changes in payment rates than were benefits in plans that charged nonzero premiums. These results strongly suggest that current Medicare policy induces plans to offer benefits that are not valued by enrollees at or above their cost.

42 CFR 422.103 - Benefits under an MA MSA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Benefits under an MA MSA plan. 422.103 Section 422... Benefits under an MA MSA plan. (a) General rule. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must make...) Countable expenses. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must count toward the annual deductible at...

42 CFR 422.103 - Benefits under an MA MSA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Benefits under an MA MSA plan. 422.103 Section 422... Benefits under an MA MSA plan. (a) General rule. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must make...) Countable expenses. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must count toward the annual deductible at...

Identification, assessment, and control of hazards in water supply: experiences from Water Safety Plan implementations in Germany.

PubMed

Mälzer, H-J; Staben, N; Hein, A; Merkel, W

2010-01-01

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Water Safety Plans (WSP), a Technical Risk Management was developed, which considers standard demands in drinking water treatment in Germany. It was already implemented at several drinking water treatment plants of different size and treatment processes in Germany. Hazards affecting water quality, continuity, and the reliability of supply from catchment to treatment and distribution could be identified by a systematic approach, and suitable control measures were defined. Experiences are presented by detailed examples covering methods, practical consequences, and further outcomes. The method and the benefits for the water suppliers are discussed and an outlook on the future role of WSPs in German water supply is given.

5 CFR 890.201 - Minimum standards for health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Minimum standards for health benefits plans. 890.201 Section 890.201 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.201...

5 CFR 890.201 - Minimum standards for health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Minimum standards for health benefits plans. 890.201 Section 890.201 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.201...

Emerging ICT for Citizens' Veillance: Theoretical and Practical Insights.

PubMed

Boucher, Philip; Nascimento, Susana; Tallacchini, Mariachiara

2018-06-01

In ubiquitous surveillance societies, individuals are subjected to observation and control by authorities, institutions, and corporations. Sometimes, citizens contribute their own knowledge and other resources to their own surveillance. In addition, some of "the watched" observe "the watchers" "through" sous-veillant activities, and various forms of self-surveillance for different purposes. However, information and communication technologies are also increasingly used for social initiatives with a bottom up structure where citizens themselves define the goals, shape the outcomes and profit from the benefits of watching activities. This model, which we define as citizens' veillance and explore in this special issue, may present opportunities for individuals and collectives to be more prepared to meet the challenges they face in various domains including environment, health, planning and emergency response.

Small Engine Component Technology (SECT) study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, B.

1986-01-01

Small advanced (450 to 850 pounds thrust, 2002 to 3781 N) gas turbine engines were studied for a subsonic strategic cruise missile application, using projected year 2000 technology. An aircraft, mission characteristics, and baseline (state-of-the-art) engine were defined to evaluate technology benefits. Engine performance and configuration analyses were performed for two and three spool turbofan and propfan engine concepts. Mission and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analyses were performed in which the candidate engines were compared to the baseline engines over a prescribed mission. The advanced technology engines reduced system LCC up to 41 percent relative to the baseline engine. Critical aerodynamic, materials, and mechanical systems turbine engine technologies were identified and program plans were defined for each identified critical technology.

78 FR 49682 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. [[Page 49683

77 FR 74353 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. [[Page 74354

Ethical considerations in adherence research.

PubMed

Patel, Nupur U; Moore, Blake A; Craver, Rebekah F; Feldman, Steven R

2016-01-01

Poor adherence to treatment is a common cause of medical treatment failure. Studying adherence is complicated by the potential for the study environment to impact adherence behavior. Studies performed without informing patients about adherence monitoring must balance the risks of deception against the potential benefits of the knowledge to be gained. Ethically monitoring a patient's adherence to a treatment plan without full disclosure of the monitoring plan requires protecting the patient's rights and upholding the fiduciary obligations of the investigator. Adherence monitoring can utilize different levels of deception varying from stealth monitoring, debriefing after the study while informing the subject that some information had been withheld in regard to the use of adherence monitoring (withholding), informed consent that discloses some form of adherence monitoring is being used and will be disclosed at the end of the study (authorized deception), and full disclosure. Different approaches offer different benefits and potential pitfalls. The approach used must balance the risk of nondisclosure against the potential for confounding the adherence monitoring data and the potential benefits that adherence monitoring data will have for the research subjects and/or other populations. This commentary aims to define various methods of adherence monitoring and to provide a discussion of the ethical considerations that accompany the use of each method and adherence monitoring in general as it is used in clinical research.

TRICARE Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Benefit

PubMed Central

Maglione, Margaret; Kadiyala, Srikanth; Kress, Amii; Hastings, Jaime L.; O'Hanlon, Claire E.

2017-01-01

Abstract This study compared the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) benefit provided by TRICARE as an early intervention for autism spectrum disorder with similar benefits in Medicaid and commercial health insurance plans. The sponsor, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, was particularly interested in how a proposed TRICARE reimbursement rate decrease from $125 per hour to $68 per hour for ABA services performed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst compared with reimbursement rates (defined as third-party payment to the service provider) in Medicaid and commercial health insurance plans. Information on ABA coverage in state Medicaid programs was collected from Medicaid state waiver databases; subsequently, Medicaid provider reimbursement data were collected from state Medicaid fee schedules. Applied Behavior Analysis provider reimbursement in the commercial health insurance system was estimated using Truven Health MarketScan® data. A weighted mean U.S. reimbursement rate was calculated for several services using cross-state information on the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Locations of potential provider shortages were also identified. Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursement rates varied considerably across the United States. This project concluded that the proposed $68-per-hour reimbursement rate for services provided by a board certified analyst was more than 25 percent below the U.S. mean. PMID:28845348

Brachytherapy optimization using radiobiological-based planning for high dose rate and permanent implants for prostate cancer treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seeley, Kaelyn; Cunha, J. Adam; Hong, Tae Min

2017-01-01

We discuss an improvement in brachytherapy--a prostate cancer treatment method that directly places radioactive seeds inside target cancerous regions--by optimizing the current standard for delivering dose. Currently, the seeds' spatiotemporal placement is determined by optimizing the dose based on a set of physical, user-defined constraints. One particular approach is the ``inverse planning'' algorithms that allow for tightly fit isodose lines around the target volumes in order to reduce dose to the patient's organs at risk. However, these dose distributions are typically computed assuming the same biological response to radiation for different types of tissues. In our work, we consider radiobiological parameters to account for the differences in the individual sensitivities and responses to radiation for tissues surrounding the target. Among the benefits are a more accurate toxicity rate and more coverage to target regions for planning high-dose-rate treatments as well as permanent implants.

Applications of tethers in space: A review of workshop recommendations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vontiesenhausen, G. (Editor)

1986-01-01

Well-organized and structured efforts of considerable magnitude involving NASA, industry, and academia have explored and defined the engineering and technological requirements of the use of tethers in space and have discovered their broad range of operational and economic benefits. The results of these efforts have produced a family of extremely promising candidate applications. The extensive efforts now in progress are gaining momentum and a series of flight demonstrations are being planned and can be expected to take place in a few years. This report provides an analysis and a review of NASA's second major workshop on Applications of Tethers in Space held in October 15 to 17, 1985, in Venice, Italy. It provides a summary of an up-to-date assessment and recommendations by the NASA Tether Applications in Space Program Planning Group, consisting of representatives of seven NASA Centers and responsible for tether applications program planning implementation as recommended by the workshop panels.

5 CFR 890.205 - Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.205 Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans. (a) Either OPM or the carrier may terminate... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Nonrenewal of contracts of health...

5 CFR 890.205 - Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM Health Benefits Plans § 890.205 Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans. (a) Either OPM or the carrier may terminate... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Nonrenewal of contracts of health...

29 CFR 2509.78-1 - Interpretive bulletin relating to payments by certain employee welfare benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... employee welfare benefit plans. 2509.78-1 Section 2509.78-1 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GENERAL INTERPRETIVE BULLETINS RELATING TO... payments by certain employee welfare benefit plans. The Department of Labor today announced its...

29 CFR 4041A.43 - Benefit forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Benefit forms. 4041A.43 Section 4041A.43 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS Closeout of Sufficient Plans § 4041A.43 Benefit forms. (a) General rule. Except as provided...

29 CFR 4041A.43 - Benefit forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benefit forms. 4041A.43 Section 4041A.43 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS Closeout of Sufficient Plans § 4041A.43 Benefit forms. (a) General rule. Except as provided...

29 CFR 4041A.43 - Benefit forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Benefit forms. 4041A.43 Section 4041A.43 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS Closeout of Sufficient Plans § 4041A.43 Benefit forms. (a) General rule. Except as provided...

29 CFR 4041A.43 - Benefit forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Benefit forms. 4041A.43 Section 4041A.43 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS Closeout of Sufficient Plans § 4041A.43 Benefit forms. (a) General rule. Except as provided...

29 CFR 4041A.43 - Benefit forms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benefit forms. 4041A.43 Section 4041A.43 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS Closeout of Sufficient Plans § 4041A.43 Benefit forms. (a) General rule. Except as provided...

Benefit Plans in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, Francis P.; Cook, Thomas J.

Fifth in a series and the latest of several studies on employee benefits in higher education, this book constitutes a full-scale revision of the earlier "Benefit Plans in American Colleges" (1969). The principal benefit plans provided by U.S. colleges and universities are described, analyzed, and evaluated. Included are retirement…

29 CFR 2509.75-3 - Interpretive bulletin relating to investments by employee benefit plans in securities of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR... Interpretive bulletin relating to investments by employee benefit plans in securities of registered investment.... That section provides that an investment by an employee benefit plan in securities issued by an...

Employee knowledge of value-based insurance design benefits.

PubMed

Henrikson, Nora B; Anderson, Melissa L; Hubbard, Rebecca A; Fishman, Paul; Grossman, David C

2014-08-01

Value-based insurance designs (VBD) incorporate evidence-based medicine into health benefit design. Consumer knowledge of new VBD benefits is important to assessing their impact on health care use. To assess knowledge of features of a VBD. The eligible study population was employees receiving healthcare benefits in an integrated care system in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. In 2010, participants completed a web-based survey 2 months after rollout of the plan, including three true/false questions about benefit design features including copays for preventive care visits and chronic disease medications and premium costs. Analysis was completed in 2012. Knowledgeable was defined as correct response to all three questions; self-reported knowledge was also assessed. A total of 3,463 people completed the survey (response rate=71.7%). The majority of respondents were female (80.1%) Caucasians (79.6%) aged 35-64 years (79.0%), reflecting the overall employee population. A total of 45.7% had at least a 4-year college education, and 69.1% were married. About three quarters of respondents correctly answered each individual question; half (52.1%) of respondents answered all three questions correctly. On multivariate analysis, knowledge was independently associated with female gender (OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.40, 2.31); Caucasian race (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.28, 2.32); increasing household income (OR for ≥$100,000=1.86, 95% CI=1.29, 2.68); nonunion job status (OR compared to union status=1.63, 95% CI=1.17, 2.26); and high satisfaction with the health plan (OR compared to low satisfaction=1.26; 95% CI=1.00, 1.57). Incomplete knowledge of benefits is prevalent in an employee population soon after VBD rollout. Copyright © 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Survivor Benefit Plan - Acceptance and Comparison with Private Sector

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

I COPY AIU WAR COLLEGE ,.SEARCH REPORT ,YSIS OF SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN-__CCEPTANCE ’-U AND COMPARISON WITH PRIVATE SECTOR LIEUENNT COLONEL JOHN R...AAA AIR WAR COLLEGE AIR UNIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN--ACCEPTANCE AND COMPARISON WITH PRIVATE SECTOR by John R. Adams Lieutenant...Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)--Acceptance and Comparison With Private Sector . AUTHORS: John R. Adams, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF; Daniel 3. Kohn

78 FR 57622 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-19

... supplemental insurance plans as part of an employee benefit package. Employers may, however, offer TRICARE supplemental insurance plans as part of an employee benefit package provided the plan is not paid for in whole... offer TRICARE supplemental insurance plans as part of an employee benefit package. They may offer...

78 FR 8985 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-07

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule; correction. SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation published in the...

Exercise Tiger: assessing the BCM impact of the 2012 Olympics on Canary Wharf.

PubMed

Evett, Jonathan

2011-02-01

In this paper, collective corporate resilience is studied to see how a culture of sharing information and planning may assist other business communities to prepare for future events. The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games will see huge opportunity for businesses in London, and across Europe, but not without cost. Canary Wharf lies in the heart of London's Docklands and less than three miles from the Olympic Park at Stratford. Purpose-built as a business district, it accommodates a working population of 95,000 people, is home to some of the world's leading brands and has a vibrant retail complex of over 200 shops, bars and restaurants. This business community is preparing for every aspect of the Olympics and, in particular, the disruption the Games will bring. As a private estate, the community resilience approach fostered here is both better defined and finite in terms of those it includes as a result. Preparing together with joint exercises, forums and open communications in a network of trusted partners is yielding collective benefits and lending a stronger voice in the call for more information from official agencies. This paper outlines the benefits of collective planning and reports on the success of Canary Wharf's annual estate-wide business continuity exercise - the first major collective Olympics planning exercise in London.

42 CFR 422.103 - Benefits under an MA MSA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Benefits under an MA MSA plan. 422.103 Section 422... § 422.103 Benefits under an MA MSA plan. (a) General rule. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan... deductible. (b) Countable expenses. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must count toward the annual...

42 CFR 422.103 - Benefits under an MA MSA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Benefits under an MA MSA plan. 422.103 Section 422... § 422.103 Benefits under an MA MSA plan. (a) General rule. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan... deductible. (b) Countable expenses. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must count toward the annual...

42 CFR 422.103 - Benefits under an MA MSA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Benefits under an MA MSA plan. 422.103 Section 422... § 422.103 Benefits under an MA MSA plan. (a) General rule. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan... deductible. (b) Countable expenses. An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan must count toward the annual...

20 CFR 1002.171 - How does the continuation of health plan benefits apply to a multiemployer plan that provides...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How does the continuation of health plan... system? 1002.171 Section 1002.171 Employees' Benefits OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR VETERANS... Service in the Uniformed Services Health Plan Coverage § 1002.171 How does the continuation of health plan...

Evaluation of a performance appraisal framework for radiation therapists in planning and simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Becker, Jillian, E-mail: jillian.becker@health.qld.gov.au; Bridge, Pete; Brown, Elizabeth

2015-06-15

Constantly evolving technology and techniques within radiation therapy require practitioners to maintain a continuous approach to professional development and training. Systems of performance appraisal and adoption of regular feedback mechanisms are vital to support this development yet frequently lack structure and rely on informal peer support. A Radiation Therapy Performance Appraisal Framework (RT-PAF) for radiation therapists in planning and simulation was developed to define expectations of practice and promote a supportive and objective culture of performance and skills appraisal. Evaluation of the framework was conducted via an anonymous online survey tool. Nine peer reviewers and fourteen recipients provided feedback onmore » its effectiveness and the challenges and limitations of the approach. Findings from the evaluation were positive and suggested that both groups gained benefit from and expressed a strong interest in embedding the approach more routinely. Respondents identified common challenges related to the limited ability to implement suggested development strategies; this was strongly associated with time and rostering issues. This framework successfully defined expectations for practice and provided a fair and objective feedback process that focussed on skills development. It empowered staff to maintain their skills and reach their professional potential. Management support, particularly in regard to provision of protected time was highlighted as critical to the framework's ongoing success. The demonstrated benefits arising in terms of staff satisfaction and development highlight the importance of this commitment to the modern radiation therapy workforce.« less

75 FR 41091 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits...

76 FR 50413 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 68739 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

76 FR 8649 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on...

77 FR 22215 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-13

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

75 FR 2437 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits...

75 FR 6857 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-12

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits...

76 FR 27889 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-13

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

76 FR 63836 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 11093 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

75 FR 49407 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-13

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits...

76 FR 21252 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on...

77 FR 41270 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-13

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

76 FR 2578 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on...

78 FR 62426 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-22

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

77 FR 28477 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 42009 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 2881 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

76 FR 70639 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

75 FR 69588 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on...

77 FR 68685 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-16

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

76 FR 41689 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 28490 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

77 FR 2015 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-13

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

77 FR 8730 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

78 FR 22192 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

77 FR 62433 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation...

75 FR 63380 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on...

77 FR 74515 - Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Charter Renewal

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-14

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Advisory Council on Employee Welfare... charter for the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans is renewed. The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans shall advise the Secretary of Labor on technical...

75 FR 80072 - Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Charter Renewal

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-21

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Advisory Council on Employee Welfare... charter for the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans is renewed. The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans shall advise the Secretary of Labor on technical...

76 FR 34590 - Bankruptcy Filing Date Treated as Plan Termination Date for Certain Purposes; Guaranteed Benefits...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-14

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Parts 4001, 4022, and 4044 RIN 1212-AA98 Bankruptcy Filing Date Treated as Plan Termination Date for Certain Purposes; Guaranteed Benefits; Allocation of Plan Assets; Pension Protection Act of 2006 AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final...

29 CFR 2509.94-3 - Interpretive bulletin relating to in-kind contributions to employee benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... employee benefit plans. 2509.94-3 Section 2509.94-3 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GENERAL INTERPRETIVE BULLETINS RELATING TO...-kind contributions to employee benefit plans. (a) General. This bulletin sets forth the views of the...

PEL Benefits: Measuring the Benefits of Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-10-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) commissioned this report to explore and document the benefits stemming from the incorporation of Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) strategies into State, regional, and local planning and project develo...

29 CFR 2590.712 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

29 CFR 2590.712 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

45 CFR 146.136 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

45 CFR 146.136 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

45 CFR 146.136 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

29 CFR 2590.712 - Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.../surgical benefits related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan does not include an annual dollar limit on... plan payments for medical/surgical benefits are related to cardio-pulmonary diseases. The plan...

Mount St. Helens, Washington Feasibility Report & Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 1: Main Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

Base Condition WITH-PROJECT CONDITION Single Retention Structure Identification of NED Plan Benefits - NED Plan SENSITIVITY OF NED PLAN TO...Downstream Actions COSTS OF THE PREFERRED PLAN BENEFITS OF THE PREFERRED PLAN Economic and Social Effects Prevention of Erosion Maintenance of...continued) TABLES Residual Damages Summary of Costs Preferred Alternative Sediment MOvement Net Average Annual NED Benefits Total Flood Damages Average

29 CFR 778.214 - Benefit plans; including profit-sharing plans or trusts providing similar benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... fide plan for providing old age, retirement, life, accident, or health insurance or similar benefits for employees * * *.” Such sums may not, however, be credited toward overtime compensation due under... matching employee contributions or otherwise encourages thrift or savings. Where such a plan or trust is...

76 FR 13304 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Limitations on Guaranteed Benefits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-11

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 RIN 1212-AB18 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Limitations on Guaranteed Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This is a proposed rule to amend PBGC's regulation on Benefits Payable in...

Choosing Pre-conception Planning for Women/Families: Counselling and Informed Consent (Part 2) - Pre-conception Reproductive Planning, Lifestyle, Immunization, and Psychosocial Issues.

PubMed

Wilson, R Douglas

2017-12-06

To inform reproductive and other health care providers about pre-conception evaluation, including considerations for reproductive planning, lifestyle modification, immunization status and attitudes, and psychosocial issues. This counselling information can be used for patient education and planning and possible pre-conception and/or prenatal testing. This information may allow for improved risk assessment when pre-conception counselling for individual patients and their families is used. CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRE-CONCEPTION CARE (PART 2) REGARDING PRE-CONCEPTION REPRODUCTIVE PLANNING, LIFESTYLE, IMMUNIZATIONS, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES: CONSIDERATION FOR CARE STATEMENTS: For this review article, the Consideration for Care Statements use the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations strength and quality principles because they are comparable for the clinician and the patient/public user. For example, "Strong" for clinicians is defined as "the recommendation would apply to most individuals. Formal discussion aids are not likely to be needed to help individuals make decisions consistent with their values and preferences." For patients/the public, "Strong" is defined as, "we believe most people in this situation would want the recommended course of actions and only a small number would not." Quality of evidence (High, Moderate, Low) is based on the confidence that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect. In addition, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care key to evidence statements and grading of recommendations are included. PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Database were searched until May 2017, using appropriate key words (i.e., preconception, reproductive planning, lifestyle modification, immunization risks and benefits, psychosocial pregnancy factors/issues). Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, and national and international medical specialty societies. The benefits for the patient and her family from receiving this pre-conception counseling would include an increased understanding of the relevant issues for both pre-conception and in early pregnancy as well as better pregnancy outcomes. Harm includes potential increased anxiety or psychological stress associated with the possibility of identifying maternal pregnancy risks. Copyright © 2017 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Achieving Conservation when Opportunity Costs Are High: Optimizing Reserve Design in Alberta's Oil Sands Region

PubMed Central

Schneider, Richard R.; Hauer, Grant; Farr, Dan; Adamowicz, W. L.; Boutin, Stan

2011-01-01

Recent studies have shown that conservation gains can be achieved when the spatial distributions of biological benefits and economic costs are incorporated in the conservation planning process. Using Alberta, Canada, as a case study we apply these techniques in the context of coarse-filter reserve design. Because targets for ecosystem representation and other coarse-filter design elements are difficult to define objectively we use a trade-off analysis to systematically explore the relationship between conservation targets and economic opportunity costs. We use the Marxan conservation planning software to generate reserve designs at each level of conservation target to ensure that our quantification of conservation and economic outcomes represents the optimal allocation of resources in each case. Opportunity cost is most affected by the ecological representation target and this relationship is nonlinear. Although petroleum resources are present throughout most of Alberta, and include highly valuable oil sands deposits, our analysis indicates that over 30% of public lands could be protected while maintaining access to more than 97% of the value of the region's resources. Our case study demonstrates that optimal resource allocation can be usefully employed to support strategic decision making in the context of land-use planning, even when conservation targets are not well defined. PMID:21858046

The Military Survivor Benefit Plan: How Much Does It Benefit the Retiree?

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

advantages . Chapter V offers conclusions and recommendations. 4 I II. What is the Survivor Benefit Plan This chapter briefly traces military survivor...basis, founded upon the relation of parties to each other, either pecuniary or of blood or affinity, to expect some benefit or advantage from the...AFIT/GOR/SM/79D-9 THE MILITARY SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN: HOW MUCH DOES IT BENEFIT THE RETIREE THESIS AFIT/GOR/SM /79D-9 Thomas L. Wade Captain USAF ,zkC

78 FR 50112 - 168th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-16

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 168th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Teleconference Meeting Pursuant to the.... 1142, the 168th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans...

77 FR 59420 - 164th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-27

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 164th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 164th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as...

76 FR 55706 - 158th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-08

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 158th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Teleconference Meeting Pursuant to the.... 1142, the 158th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans...

76 FR 65211 - 159th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-20

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 159th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 159th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as...

77 FR 11159 - 160th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-24

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 160th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 160th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as...

78 FR 62708 - 169th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-22

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 169th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 169th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as...

75 FR 27002 - 151st Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-13

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 151st Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 151st open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will be held on...

77 FR 52061 - 163rd Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-28

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 163rd Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Teleconference Meeting Pursuant to the.... 1142, the 163rd open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans...

77 FR 66186 - 164th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-02

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 164th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the authority... 164th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as...

76 FR 6498 - 155th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-04

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 155th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Teleconference Meeting Pursuant to the.... 1142, the 155th open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans...

42 CFR 422.104 - Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA... and Beneficiary Protections § 422.104 Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans. (a) An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan may not provide supplemental benefits that cover expenses...

42 CFR 422.104 - Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA... Beneficiary Protections § 422.104 Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans. (a) An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan may not provide supplemental benefits that cover expenses that count...

42 CFR 422.104 - Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA... and Beneficiary Protections § 422.104 Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans. (a) An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan may not provide supplemental benefits that cover expenses...

42 CFR 422.104 - Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA... and Beneficiary Protections § 422.104 Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans. (a) An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan may not provide supplemental benefits that cover expenses...

42 CFR 422.104 - Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA... Beneficiary Protections § 422.104 Special rules on supplemental benefits for MA MSA plans. (a) An MA organization offering an MA MSA plan may not provide supplemental benefits that cover expenses that count...

48 CFR 52.215-18 - Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Postretirement Benefits (PRB) Other Than Pensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Plans for Postretirement Benefits (PRB) Other Than Pensions. 52.215-18 Section 52.215-18 Federal... Postretirement Benefits (PRB) Other Than Pensions. As prescribed in 15.408(j), insert the following clause: Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Postretirement Benefits (PRB) Other Than Pensions (JUL 2005) (a) The...

17 CFR 247.776 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks effecting certain excepted or exempted...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... for its employee benefit plans. 247.776 Section 247.776 Commodity and Securities Exchanges SECURITIES... effecting certain excepted or exempted transactions in a company's securities for its employee benefit plans... benefit of an employee benefit plan account; (3) Any such security is obtained directly from: (i) The...

17 CFR 230.416 - Securities to be issued as a result of stock splits, stock dividends and anti-dilution provisions...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... to certain employee benefit plans. 230.416 Section 230.416 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... provisions and interests to be issued pursuant to certain employee benefit plans. (a) If a registration... pursuant to an employee benefit plan, including interests in such plan that constitute separate securities...

75 FR 19542 - Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-15

... PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION 29 CFR Part 4022 Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Benefits AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. [[Page 19543

A demographic dividend of the FP2020 Initiative and the SDG reproductive health target: Case studies of India and Nigeria

PubMed Central

Li, Qingfeng; Rimon, Jose G.

2018-01-01

Background: The demographic dividend, defined as the economic growth potential resulting from favorable shifts in population age structure following rapid fertility decline, has been widely employed to advocate improving access to family planning. The current framework focuses on the long-term potential, while the short-term benefits may also help persuade policy makers to invest in family planning. Methods: We estimate the short- and medium-term economic benefits from two major family planning goals: the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020)’s goal of adding 120 million modern contraceptive users by 2020; Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.7 of ensuring universal access to family planning by 2030. We apply the cohort component method to World Population Prospects and National Transfer Accounts data. India and Nigeria, respectively the most populous Asian and African country under the FP2020 initiative, are used as case studies. Results: Meeting the FP2020 target implies that on average, the number of children that need to be supported by every 100 working-age people would decrease by 8 persons in India and 11 persons in Nigeria in 2020; the associated reduction remains at 8 persons in India, but increases to 14 persons in Nigeria by 2030 under the SDG 3.7. In India meeting the FP2020 target would yield a saving of US$18.2 billion (PPP) in consumption expenditures for children and youth in the year 2020 alone, and that increased to US$89.7 billion by 2030. In Nigeria the consumption saved would be US$2.5 billion in 2020 and $12.9 billion by 2030. Conclusions: The tremendous economic benefits from meeting the FP2020 and SDG family planning targets demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of investment in promoting access to contraceptive methods. The gap already apparent between the observed and targeted trajectories indicates tremendous missing opportunities. Accelerated progress is needed to achieve the FP2020 and SDG goals and so reap the demographic dividend. PMID:29630076

75 FR 64947 - 154th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-20

... Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting; Notice #0;#0;Federal Register... Employee Benefits Security Administration 154th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and... Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will be held on November 3-4, 2010. The...

Flexible Fringe Benefit Plans Save You Money and Keep Employees Happy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Rob

1987-01-01

This fringe benefit plan saves money for both employers and employees, provides a better fit for employees' actual benefit needs, and allows employees to choose options from a menu of benefits. One option is a flexible spending plan. Employees place a portion of their before-tax income into a special account from which allowable expenses are paid…

42 CFR 440.330 - Benchmark health benefits coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.330 Benchmark health benefits coverage. Benchmark coverage is health...) Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan Equivalent Coverage (FEHBP—Equivalent Health Insurance Coverage). A benefit plan equivalent to the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit...

42 CFR 440.330 - Benchmark health benefits coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.330 Benchmark health benefits coverage. Benchmark coverage is health...) Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan Equivalent Coverage (FEHBP—Equivalent Health Insurance Coverage). A benefit plan equivalent to the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit...

42 CFR 440.330 - Benchmark health benefits coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.330 Benchmark health benefits coverage. Benchmark coverage is health...) Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan Equivalent Coverage (FEHBP—Equivalent Health Insurance Coverage). A benefit plan equivalent to the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit...

42 CFR 440.330 - Benchmark health benefits coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.330 Benchmark health benefits coverage. Benchmark coverage is health...) Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan Equivalent Coverage (FEHBP—Equivalent Health Insurance Coverage). A benefit plan equivalent to the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit...

Customer satisfaction planning and industrial engineering move hospital towards in-house stockless program.

PubMed

Burton, R; Mauk, D

1993-03-01

By integrating customer satisfaction planning and industrial engineering techniques when examining internal costs and efficiencies, materiel managers are able to better realize what concepts will best meet their customers' needs. Defining your customer(s), applying industrial engineering techniques, completing work sampling studies, itemizing recommendations and benefits to each alternative, performing feasibility and cost-analysis matrixes and utilizing resources through productivity monitoring will get you on the right path toward selecting concepts to use. This article reviews the above procedures as they applied to one hospital's decision-making process to determine whether to incorporate a stockless inventory program. Through an analysis of customer demand, the hospital realized that stockless was the way to go, but not by outsourcing the function--the hospital incorporated an in-house stockless inventory program.

Medicare program; prohibition of midyear benefit enhancements for Medicare Advantage organizations. Final rule.

PubMed

2008-07-28

This final rule prohibits Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations, including organizations offering MA plans to employer and union group health plan sponsors, from making midyear changes to nonprescription drug benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing submitted in their approved bids for a given contract year. This final rule also clarifies that MA organizations offering certain kinds of plans restricted to employer and union group health plan sponsors and not open to general enrollment may continue to offer benefit enhancements as they do currently, through means other than midyear benefit enhancements (MYBEs). Programs of all-inclusive care for elderly (PACE) are not subject to the provisions of this final rule and may continue to offer enhanced benefits as specified in our guidance for PACE plans.

Essential health benefits and the Affordable Care Act: law and process.

PubMed

Bagley, Nicholas; Levy, Helen

2014-04-01

Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will require private insurance plans sold in the individual and small-group markets to cover a roster of "essential health benefits." Precisely which benefits should count as essential, however, was left to the discretion of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The matter was both important and controversial. Nonetheless, HHS announced its policy by posting on the Internet a thirteen-page bulletin stating that it would allow each state to define essential benefits for itself. On both substance and procedure, the move was surprising. The state-by-state approach departed from the uniform, federal standard that the ACA appears to anticipate and that informed observers expected HHS to adopt. And announcing the policy through an Internet bulletin appeared to allow HHS to sidestep traditional administrative procedures, including notice and comment, immediate review in the courts, and White House oversight. This article explores two questions. First, is the state-by-state approach a lawful exercise of HHS's authority? Second, did HHS in fact evade the procedural obligations that are meant to shape the exercise of its discretion?

29 CFR 2520.104-44 - Limited exemption and alternative method of compliance for annual reporting by unfunded plans and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of Labor may exempt an employee welfare benefit plan from any or all of the reporting and disclosure requirements of title I. An employee welfare benefit plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of... section. (b) Application. This section applies only to: (1) An employee welfare benefit plan under the...

31 CFR 29.402 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Treasury or a designee authorized to exercise the Secretary's authority with respect to Federal Benefit... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS UNDER... Judges Plan, Police and Firefighters Plan, or Teachers Plan, who is or may become entitled to a benefit...

Amendments to Summary Plan Description regulations. Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, Labor. Final rule.

PubMed

2000-11-21

This document contains a final rule amending the regulations governing the content of the Summary Plan Description (SPD) required to be furnished to employee benefit plan participants and beneficiaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). These amendments implement information disclosure recommendations of the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, as set forth in their November 20, 1997, report, "Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities." Specifically, the amendments clarify benefit, medical provider, and other information required to be disclosed in, or as part of, the SPD of a group health plan and repeal the limited exemption with respect to SPDs of welfare plans providing benefits through qualified health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In addition, this document contains several amendments updating and clarifying provisions relating to the content of SPDs that affect both pension and welfare benefit plans. This document also adopts in final form certain regulations that were effective on an interim basis implementing amendments to ERISA enacted as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This final rule will affect employee pension and welfare benefit plans, including group health plans, as well as administrators, fiduciaries, participants and beneficiaries of such plans.

Dental plan premiums in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces trended downward from 2014 through 2016.

PubMed

Nasseh, Kamyar; Vujicic, Marko

2017-04-01

Pediatric dental benefits must be offered in the health insurance marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act. The authors analyzed trends over time in premiums and the number of dental insurers participating in the marketplaces. The authors collected dental benefit plan data from 35 states participating in the federally facilitated marketplaces in 2014, 2015, and 2016. For each county, they counted the number of issuers offering stand-alone dental plans (SADPs) and medical plans with embedded pediatric dental benefits. They also analyzed trends in premiums. From 2014 through 2016, the number of issuers of stand-alone dental plans and medical plans with embedded pediatric dental benefits either did not change or increased in most counties. Average premiums for low-actuarial-value SADPs declined from 2014 through 2016. The increase in the number of issuers of stand-alone dental plans and medical plans with embedded dental benefits may be associated with lower premiums. However, more research is needed to determine if this is the case. Affordable dental plans in the marketplaces could induce people with lower incomes to sign up for dental benefits. Newly insured people could have significant oral health needs and pent-up demand for dental care. Copyright © 2017 American Dental Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

29 CFR 4281.41 - Benefit suspensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Benefit suspensions. 4281.41 Section 4281.41 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION... WITHDRAWAL Benefit Suspensions § 4281.41 Benefit suspensions. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan is...

29 CFR 4281.41 - Benefit suspensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benefit suspensions. 4281.41 Section 4281.41 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION... WITHDRAWAL Benefit Suspensions § 4281.41 Benefit suspensions. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan is...

29 CFR 4281.41 - Benefit suspensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Benefit suspensions. 4281.41 Section 4281.41 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION... WITHDRAWAL Benefit Suspensions § 4281.41 Benefit suspensions. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan is...

29 CFR 4281.41 - Benefit suspensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Benefit suspensions. 4281.41 Section 4281.41 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION... WITHDRAWAL Benefit Suspensions § 4281.41 Benefit suspensions. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan is...

29 CFR 4281.41 - Benefit suspensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benefit suspensions. 4281.41 Section 4281.41 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION... WITHDRAWAL Benefit Suspensions § 4281.41 Benefit suspensions. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan is...

42 CFR 417.592 - Additional benefits requirement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Additional benefits requirement. 417.592 Section... PLANS, AND HEALTH CARE PREPAYMENT PLANS Medicare Payment: Risk Basis § 417.592 Additional benefits...) Additional benefits. Provide its Medicare enrollees with additional benefits in accordance with paragraph (c...

75 FR 2161 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request; Employee Benefit Plan Claims...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-14

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request; Employee Benefit Plan Claims Procedures Under ERISA AGENCY: Employee Benefits... Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on a proposed extension of the...

The Effect of Benefits, Premiums, and Health Risk on Health Plan Choice in the Medicare Program

PubMed Central

Atherly, Adam; Dowd, Bryan E; Feldman, Roger

2004-01-01

Objective To estimate the effect of Medicare+Choice (M+C) plan premiums and benefits and individual beneficiary characteristics on the probability of enrollment in a Medicare+Choice plan. Data Source Individual data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey were combined with plan-level data from Medicare Compare. Study Design Health plan choices, including the Medicare+Choice/Fee-for-Service decision and the choice of plan within the M+C sector, were modeled using limited information maximum likelihood nested logit. Principal Findings Premiums have a significant effect on plan selection, with an estimated out-of-pocket premium elasticity of −0.134 and an insurer-perspective elasticity of −4.57. Beneficiaries are responsive to plan characteristics, with prescription drug benefits having the largest marginal effect. Sicker beneficiaries were more likely to choose plans with drug benefits and diabetics were more likely to pick plans with vision coverage. Conclusions Plan characteristics significantly impact beneficiaries' decisions to enroll in Medicare M+C plans and individuals sort themselves systematically into plans based on individual characteristics. PMID:15230931

78 FR 29778 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Prohibited...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-21

... Financing Arrangements Involving Employee Benefit Plans ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor... Financing Arrangements Involving Employee Benefit Plans,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for... applicable to residential mortgage financing arrangements involving employee benefit plans (PTE 88-59...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Caillet, V; Colvill, E; Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the dosimetric benefits of multi-leaf collimator (MLC) tracking for lung SABR treatments in end-to-end clinically realistic planning and delivery scenarios. Methods: The clinical benefits of MLC tracking were assessed using previously delivered treatment plans and physical experiments. The 10 most recent single lesion lung SABR patients were re-planned following a 4D-GTV-based real-time adaptive protocol (PTV defined as the end-of-exhalation GTV plus 5.0 mm margins). The plans were delivered on a Trilogy Varian linac. Electromagnetic transponders (Calypso, Varian Medical Systems, USA) were embedded into a programmable moving phantom (HexaMotion platform) tracked withmore » the Varian Calypso system. For each physical experiment, the MLC positions were collected and used as input for dose reconstruction. For both planned and physical experiments, the OAR dose metrics from the conventional and real-time adaptive SABR plans (Mean Lung Dose (MLD), V20 for lung, and near-maximum dose (D2%) for spine and heart) were statistically compared. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare plan and physical experiment dose metrics. Results: While maintaining target coverage, percentage reductions in dose metrics to the OARs were observed for both planned and physical experiments. Comparing the two plans showed MLD percentage reduction (MLDr) of 25.4% (absolute differences of 1.41 Gy) and 28.9% (1.29%) for the V20r. D2% percentage reduction for spine and heart were respectively 27.9% (0.3 Gy) and 20.2% (0.3 Gy). For the physical experiments, MLDr was 23.9% (1.3 Gy), and V20r 37.4% (1.6%). D2% reduction for spine and heart were respectively 27.3% (0.3 Gy) and 19.6% (0.3 Gy). For both plans and physical experiments, significant OAR dose differences (p<0.05) were found between the conventional SABR and real-time adaptive plans. Conclusion: Application of MLC tracking for lung SABR patients has the potential to reduce the dose to OARs during radiation therapy.« less

Your Medicare Benefits

MedlinePlus

... health plans include all Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Cost Plans, and Demonstration/Pilot Programs. PACE plans can be offered by public or private entities and provide Part D and other benefits in addition to Part A and Part B ...

The impact of flexible benefits plans on job satisfaction, organizational commitment and turnover intentions.

PubMed

Heshizer, B

1994-01-01

This study assesses the dimensionality of employee attitudes toward flexible benefits plans and the impact of these plans on measures of job satisfaction, commitment and turnover intent. The study points to the need for more work on the measurement of employee attitudes toward flexible benefits and on the nomological framework of flexible benefits as a construct in compensation research.

17 CFR 239.16b - Form S-8, for registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of securities to be offered to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... under the Securities Act of 1933 of securities to be offered to employees pursuant to employee benefit... employee benefit plans. (a) Any registrant that, immediately prior to the time of filing a registration... benefit plan. The form also is available for the exercise of employee benefit plan options by an employee...

Health plan switching among members of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

PubMed

Atherly, Adam; Florence, Curtis; Thorpe, Kenneth E

2005-01-01

This paper examines factors associated with switching health plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Switching plans is not uncommon, with 12% of members switching plans annually. Individuals switch out of plans with premium increases and benefit decreases relative to other plans in the market. Switching is negatively associated with age due to increasing switching costs associated with age rather than decreasing premium sensitivity. Individuals in preferred provider organizations are less likely to switch, but are more responsive to premium increases than those in the managed care sector. Those who do switch plans are likely to switch to a different plan in the same sector.

42 CFR 440.345 - EPSDT and other required benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... must include coverage for family planning services and supplies. (c) Mental health parity. Alternative Benefit Plans that provide both medical and surgical benefits, and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, must comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. (d) Essential health benefits...

Flexible benefits plans. Perceptions of their effectiveness.

PubMed

Agho, A O

1995-01-01

Flexible benefits plans have been used in businesses since the 1970s to control healthcare costs and meet the needs of an increasingly diverse work force. More recently, healthcare organizations have begun to implement the flexible benefits concept. This study collected data from human resources executives at hospitals with and without flex plans to investigate how they perceive the effectiveness of and the problems associated with such plans.

Comparison of patient-specific instruments with standard surgical instruments in determining glenoid component position: a randomized prospective clinical trial.

PubMed

Hendel, Michael D; Bryan, Jason A; Barsoum, Wael K; Rodriguez, Eric J; Brems, John J; Evans, Peter J; Iannotti, Joseph P

2012-12-05

Glenoid component malposition for anatomic shoulder replacement may result in complications. The purpose of this study was to define the efficacy of a new surgical method to place the glenoid component. Thirty-one patients were randomized for glenoid component placement with use of either novel three-dimensional computed tomographic scan planning software combined with patient-specific instrumentation (the glenoid positioning system group), or conventional computed tomographic scan, preoperative planning, and surgical technique, utilizing instruments provided by the implant manufacturer (the standard surgical group). The desired position of the component was determined preoperatively. Postoperatively, a computed tomographic scan was used to define and compare the actual implant location with the preoperative plan. In the standard surgical group, the average preoperative glenoid retroversion was -11.3° (range, -39° to 17°). In the glenoid positioning system group, the average glenoid retroversion was -14.8° (range, -27° to 7°). When the standard surgical group was compared with the glenoid positioning system group, patient-specific instrumentation technology significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the average deviation of implant position for inclination and medial-lateral offset. Overall, the average deviation in version was 6.9° in the standard surgical group and 4.3° in the glenoid positioning system group. The average deviation in inclination was 11.6° in the standard surgical group and 2.9° in the glenoid positioning system group. The greatest benefit of patient-specific instrumentation was observed in patients with retroversion in excess of 16°; the average deviation was 10° in the standard surgical group and 1.2° in the glenoid positioning system group (p < 0.001). Preoperative planning and patient-specific instrumentation use resulted in a significant improvement in the selection and use of the optimal type of implant and a significant reduction in the frequency of malpositioned glenoid implants. Novel three-dimensional preoperative planning, coupled with patient and implant-specific instrumentation, allows the surgeon to better define the preoperative pathology, select the optimal implant design and location, and then accurately execute the plan at the time of surgery.

Visualization of logistic algorithm in Wilson model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glushchenko, A. S.; Rodin, V. A.; Sinegubov, S. V.

2018-05-01

Economic order quantity (EOQ), defined by the Wilson's model, is widely used at different stages of production and distribution of different products. It is useful for making decisions in the management of inventories, providing a more efficient business operation and thus bringing more economic benefits. There is a large amount of reference material and extensive computer shells that help solving various logistics problems. However, the use of large computer environments is not always justified and requires special user training. A tense supply schedule in a logistics model is optimal, if, and only if, the planning horizon coincides with the beginning of the next possible delivery. For all other possible planning horizons, this plan is not optimal. It is significant that when the planning horizon changes, the plan changes immediately throughout the entire supply chain. In this paper, an algorithm and a program for visualizing models of the optimal value of supplies and their number, depending on the magnitude of the planned horizon, have been obtained. The program allows one to trace (visually and quickly) all main parameters of the optimal plan on the charts. The results of the paper represent a part of the authors’ research work in the field of optimization of protection and support services of ports in the Russian North.

75 FR 35843 - Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Form 5500...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-23

... welfare plans (collectively referred to as employee benefit plans) to file returns or reports annually... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan...

Planning of electroporation-based treatments using Web-based treatment-planning software.

PubMed

Pavliha, Denis; Kos, Bor; Marčan, Marija; Zupanič, Anže; Serša, Gregor; Miklavčič, Damijan

2013-11-01

Electroporation-based treatment combining high-voltage electric pulses and poorly permanent cytotoxic drugs, i.e., electrochemotherapy (ECT), is currently used for treating superficial tumor nodules by following standard operating procedures. Besides ECT, another electroporation-based treatment, nonthermal irreversible electroporation (N-TIRE), is also efficient at ablating deep-seated tumors. To perform ECT or N-TIRE of deep-seated tumors, following standard operating procedures is not sufficient and patient-specific treatment planning is required for successful treatment. Treatment planning is required because of the use of individual long-needle electrodes and the diverse shape, size and location of deep-seated tumors. Many institutions that already perform ECT of superficial metastases could benefit from treatment-planning software that would enable the preparation of patient-specific treatment plans. To this end, we have developed a Web-based treatment-planning software for planning electroporation-based treatments that does not require prior engineering knowledge from the user (e.g., the clinician). The software includes algorithms for automatic tissue segmentation and, after segmentation, generation of a 3D model of the tissue. The procedure allows the user to define how the electrodes will be inserted. Finally, electric field distribution is computed, the position of electrodes and the voltage to be applied are optimized using the 3D model and a downloadable treatment plan is made available to the user.

Using choice-based conjoint to determine the relative importance of dental benefit plan attributes.

PubMed

Cunningham, M A; Gaeth, G J; Juang, C; Chakraborty, G

1999-05-01

The purpose of this study was to use conjoint analysis to determine the importance of specific dental benefit plan features for University of Iowa (UI) staff and to build a model to predict enrollment. From a random sample of 2000 UI staff, 40 percent responded (N = 773). The survey instrument was developed using seven attributes (five dental benefit plan features and two facility characteristics) each offered at three levels (e.g., premium = $20, $15, $10/month). Pilot testing was used to find a realistic range of plan options. Twenty-seven hypothetical dental benefit plans were developed using fractional factorial combinations of the three levels for each of the seven attributes. For all of the hypothetical plans, dental care was to be provided in the UI predoctoral dental clinic. Plan profiles were arranged four per page by combining the existing plan with three hypothetical plans, for a total of nine pages. Respondents' task was to select one plan from each set of four. A regression-like statistical model (Multinomial Logit) was used to estimate importance of each attribute and each attribute level. Relative importance (and coefficients) for each of the seven attributes are as follows: maximum annual benefit (.98), orthodontic coverage (.72), routine restorative (.70), major restorative (.67), time to complete treatment (.61), clinic hours of operation (.47), premium (.18). For each attribute, relative importance of each of three levels will also be presented. These coefficients for each level are used to predict enrollment for plans with specific combinations of the dental benefit plan features.

The effect of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act upon employee benefits.

PubMed

Brislin, J A

1993-09-01

FMLA will substantially influence the administration of employee benefits. The plan sponsor, trustees, plan administrator and collective bargaining parties must make a number of policy decisions. These include employer reporting and contribution procedures, settlement of eligibility questions, delinquency procedures, coordination with COBRA, substitution of vacation and sick leave rights and procedures, restrictions on participants working during leave, procedures for the non-forfeiture of accrued benefits and restoration of benefits. After the policy decisions are made and the procedures are established, the proper notices and caveats must be communicated to plan participants, and the plan must update the SPD. Each of the policy decisions, administrative procedures and participant communications must be carefully thought out before implementation. Plan sponsors, trustees and plan administrators should seek the help, advice and assistance of the plan's professional advisers.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Officer Career Information and Planning System

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

information without the use of a computer. - vii COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE OFFICER CAREER INFOýKATTON AND PLANNING SYSTEM CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ...OF THE OFFICER CAREER INFORMATION AND PLANNING SYSTEM INTRODUCTION The implementation of the Officer Personnel Management System (OPMS) has...Research Report 1256 I / COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE OFFICER CAREER INFORMATION AND PLANNING SYSTEM Roger A. Myers, Peter C. Cairo, K - Jon A

Claims procedures for employee benefit plans--Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, Department of Labor. Request for information.

PubMed

1997-09-08

This document requests information from the public concerning the advisability of amending the existing regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) that establishes minimum requirements for employee benefit plan claims procedures. The term "claims procedure" refers to the process that employee benefit plans must provide for participants and beneficiaries who seek to obtain pension or welfare plan benefits, including requests for medical treatment or services, consideration of claims, and review of denials of claims by plans. The primary purpose of this notice is to obtain information to assist the Department of Labor (the Department) in evaluating (1) the extent to which the current claims procedure regulation assures that group health plan participants and beneficiaries are provided with effective and timely means to file and resolve claims for health care benefits, and (1) whether and in what way the existing minimum requirements should be amended with respect to group health plans covered by ERISA. The furnished information also will assist the Department in determining whether the regulation should be amended with respect to pension plans covered by ERISA and in developing legislative proposals to address any identified deficiencies relating to the claims procedures that cannot be addressed by amending the current regulation.

20 CFR 323.3 - Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.3 Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan. An unemployment or sickness benefit plan qualifies... conditions governing payment of benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. However, a plan will...

20 CFR 323.3 - Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.3 Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan. An unemployment or sickness benefit plan qualifies... conditions governing payment of benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. However, a plan will...

20 CFR 323.3 - Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.3 Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan. An unemployment or sickness benefit plan qualifies... conditions governing payment of benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. However, a plan will...

20 CFR 323.3 - Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT NONGOVERNMENTAL PLANS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR SICKNESS INSURANCE § 323.3 Standards for Board approval of a nongovernmental plan. An unemployment or sickness benefit plan qualifies... conditions governing payment of benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. However, a plan will...

A modular approach to intensity-modulated arc therapy optimization with noncoplanar trajectories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papp, Dávid; Bortfeld, Thomas; Unkelbach, Jan

2015-07-01

Utilizing noncoplanar beam angles in volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has the potential to combine the benefits of arc therapy, such as short treatment times, with the benefits of noncoplanar intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans, such as improved organ sparing. Recently, vendors introduced treatment machines that allow for simultaneous couch and gantry motion during beam delivery to make noncoplanar VMAT treatments possible. Our aim is to provide a reliable optimization method for noncoplanar isocentric arc therapy plan optimization. The proposed solution is modular in the sense that it can incorporate different existing beam angle selection and coplanar arc therapy optimization methods. Treatment planning is performed in three steps. First, a number of promising noncoplanar beam directions are selected using an iterative beam selection heuristic; these beams serve as anchor points of the arc therapy trajectory. In the second step, continuous gantry/couch angle trajectories are optimized using a simple combinatorial optimization model to define a beam trajectory that efficiently visits each of the anchor points. Treatment time is controlled by limiting the time the beam needs to trace the prescribed trajectory. In the third and final step, an optimal arc therapy plan is found along the prescribed beam trajectory. In principle any existing arc therapy optimization method could be incorporated into this step; for this work we use a sliding window VMAT algorithm. The approach is demonstrated using two particularly challenging cases. The first one is a lung SBRT patient whose planning goals could not be satisfied with fewer than nine noncoplanar IMRT fields when the patient was treated in the clinic. The second one is a brain tumor patient, where the target volume overlaps with the optic nerves and the chiasm and it is directly adjacent to the brainstem. Both cases illustrate that the large number of angles utilized by isocentric noncoplanar VMAT plans can help improve dose conformity, homogeneity, and organ sparing simultaneously using the same beam trajectory length and delivery time as a coplanar VMAT plan.

17 CFR 230.428 - Documents constituting a section 10(a) prospectus for Form S-8 registration statement...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... employee benefit plan information required by Item 1 of the Form; (ii) The statement of availability of registrant information, employee benefit plan annual reports and other information required by Item 2; and (iii) The documents containing registrant information and employee benefit plan annual reports that are...

41 CFR 60-741.25 - Health insurance, life insurance and other benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Health insurance, life insurance and other benefit plans. 60-741.25 Section 60-741.25 Public Contracts and Property Management... Health insurance, life insurance and other benefit plans. (a) An insurer, hospital, or medical service...

Identification of Patient Benefit From Proton Therapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients Based on Individual and Subgroup Normal Tissue Complication Probability Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jakobi, Annika, E-mail: Annika.Jakobi@OncoRay.de; Bandurska-Luque, Anna; Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine, by treatment plan comparison along with normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modeling, whether a subpopulation of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) could be identified that would gain substantial benefit from proton therapy in terms of NTCP. Methods and Materials: For 45 HNSCC patients, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was compared to intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Physical dose distributions were evaluated as well as the resulting NTCP values, using modern models for acute mucositis, xerostomia, aspiration, dysphagia, laryngeal edema, and trismus. Patient subgroups were defined based onmore » primary tumor location. Results: Generally, IMPT reduced the NTCP values while keeping similar target coverage for all patients. Subgroup analyses revealed a higher individual reduction of swallowing-related side effects by IMPT for patients with tumors in the upper head and neck area, whereas the risk reduction of acute mucositis was more pronounced in patients with tumors in the larynx region. More patients with tumors in the upper head and neck area had a reduction in NTCP of more than 10%. Conclusions: Subgrouping can help to identify patients who may benefit more than others from the use of IMPT and, thus, can be a useful tool for a preselection of patients in the clinic where there are limited PT resources. Because the individual benefit differs within a subgroup, the relative merits should additionally be evaluated by individual treatment plan comparisons.« less

29 CFR 4022.5 - Determination of nonforfeitable benefits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... beneficiary is not considered to be forfeitable solely because the plan provides that the benefit will cease... other provision in a plan that the right to a benefit in pay status will cease or be suspended upon the... the PBGC will determine whether the benefit is forfeitable. (c) A benefit guaranteed under § 4022.6...

26 CFR 1.411(a)(13)-1 - Statutory hybrid plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... another benefit amount) and at least one of those formulas is a statutory hybrid benefit formula, the... certain statutory hybrid plans that determine benefits under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Paragraph... current balance or current value under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Pursuant to section 411(a)(13)(A...

26 CFR 1.411(a)(13)-1 - Statutory hybrid plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... another benefit amount) and at least one of those formulas is a statutory hybrid benefit formula, the... certain statutory hybrid plans that determine benefits under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Paragraph... current balance or current value under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Pursuant to section 411(a)(13)(A...

26 CFR 1.411(a)(13)-1 - Statutory hybrid plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... another benefit amount) and at least one of those formulas is a statutory hybrid benefit formula, the... certain statutory hybrid plans that determine benefits under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Paragraph... current balance or current value under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Pursuant to section 411(a)(13)(A...

26 CFR 1.411(a)(13)-1 - Statutory hybrid plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... another benefit amount) and at least one of those formulas is a statutory hybrid benefit formula, the... certain statutory hybrid plans that determine benefits under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Paragraph... current balance or current value under a lump sum-based benefit formula. Pursuant to section 411(a)(13)(A...

29 CFR 1625.10 - Costs and benefits under employee benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Cost data—Individual benefit basis and “benefit package” basis. Cost comparisons and adjustments under... are set forth below. (1) Cost data—general. Cost data used in justification of a benefit plan which... met where an employer has cost data which show the actual cost to it of providing the particular...

29 CFR 1625.10 - Costs and benefits under employee benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Cost data—Individual benefit basis and “benefit package” basis. Cost comparisons and adjustments under... are set forth below. (1) Cost data—general. Cost data used in justification of a benefit plan which... met where an employer has cost data which show the actual cost to it of providing the particular...

29 CFR 1625.10 - Costs and benefits under employee benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Cost data—Individual benefit basis and “benefit package” basis. Cost comparisons and adjustments under... are set forth below. (1) Cost data—general. Cost data used in justification of a benefit plan which... met where an employer has cost data which show the actual cost to it of providing the particular...

29 CFR 1625.10 - Costs and benefits under employee benefit plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) Cost data—Individual benefit basis and “benefit package” basis. Cost comparisons and adjustments under... are set forth below. (1) Cost data—general. Cost data used in justification of a benefit plan which... met where an employer has cost data which show the actual cost to it of providing the particular...

42 CFR 440.345 - EPSDT services requirement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... coverage for family planning services and supplies. (c) Mental health parity. Alternative Benefit Plans that provide both medical and surgical benefits, and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, must comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. (d) Essential health benefits...

Trajectory Planning by Preserving Flexibility: Metrics and Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Idris, Husni R.; El-Wakil, Tarek; Wing, David J.

2008-01-01

In order to support traffic management functions, such as mitigating traffic complexity, ground and airborne systems may benefit from preserving or optimizing trajectory flexibility. To help support this hypothesis trajectory flexibility metrics have been defined in previous work to represent the trajectory robustness and adaptability to the risk of violating safety and traffic management constraints. In this paper these metrics are instantiated in the case of planning a trajectory with the heading degree of freedom. A metric estimation method is presented based on simplifying assumptions, namely discrete time and heading maneuvers. A case is analyzed to demonstrate the estimation method and its use in trajectory planning in a situation involving meeting a time constraint and avoiding loss of separation with nearby traffic. The case involves comparing path-stretch trajectories, in terms of adaptability and robustness along each, deduced from a map of estimated flexibility metrics over the solution space. The case demonstrated anecdotally that preserving flexibility may result in enhancing certain factors that contribute to traffic complexity, namely reducing proximity and confrontation.

Finding the K best synthesis plans.

PubMed

Fagerberg, Rolf; Flamm, Christoph; Kianian, Rojin; Merkle, Daniel; Stadler, Peter F

2018-04-05

In synthesis planning, the goal is to synthesize a target molecule from available starting materials, possibly optimizing costs such as price or environmental impact of the process. Current algorithmic approaches to synthesis planning are usually based on selecting a bond set and finding a single good plan among those induced by it. We demonstrate that synthesis planning can be phrased as a combinatorial optimization problem on hypergraphs by modeling individual synthesis plans as directed hyperpaths embedded in a hypergraph of reactions (HoR) representing the chemistry of interest. As a consequence, a polynomial time algorithm to find the K shortest hyperpaths can be used to compute the K best synthesis plans for a given target molecule. Having K good plans to choose from has many benefits: it makes the synthesis planning process much more robust when in later stages adding further chemical detail, it allows one to combine several notions of cost, and it provides a way to deal with imprecise yield estimates. A bond set gives rise to a HoR in a natural way. However, our modeling is not restricted to bond set based approaches-any set of known reactions and starting materials can be used to define a HoR. We also discuss classical quality measures for synthesis plans, such as overall yield and convergency, and demonstrate that convergency has a built-in inconsistency which could render its use in synthesis planning questionable. Decalin is used as an illustrative example of the use and implications of our results.

Defining and evaluating quality for ambulatory care educational programs.

PubMed

Bowen, J L; Stearns, J A; Dohner, C; Blackman, J; Simpson, D

1997-06-01

As the training of medical students and residents increasingly moves to ambulatory care settings, clerkship and program directors must find a way to use their limited resources to guide the development and evaluation of the quality of these ambulatory-based learning experiences. To evaluate quality, directors must first define, in operational and measurable terms, what is meant by the term "quality" as it is applied to ambulatory-based education. Using educational theories and the definition of quality used by health care systems, the authors propose an operational definition of quality for guiding the planning, implementation, and evaluation of ambulatory care educational programs. They assert that quality is achieved through the interaction of an optimal learning environment, defined educational goals and positive outcomes, participant satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. By describing the components of quality along with examples of measurable indicators, the authors provide a foundation for the evaluation and improvement of instructional innovations in ambulatory care education for the benefit of teachers, learners, and patients.

Best practices: a review of company activity on HIV / AIDS in South Africa.

PubMed

Michael, K

1999-01-01

This article presents the 1998 survey results conducted by the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division of the University of Natal in South Africa with the goal of documenting the best practices of managing HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The five key areas of the study are: HIV prevention; managing ill health; human resource development and industrial relations; employee benefits and survivor support; monitoring and planning for change in the workplace. The research comprised 14 companies used during the case studies. A few notable cases were observed among companies attempting to create awareness about HIV/AIDS. The Best Practice Survey highlighted issues about the private sectors in South Africa and their HIV management. First, companies conceptualize AIDS as either a health or poverty problem. Second, the environment is affected by the hazards of economic downturns, labor action, and economic inflation while the AIDS problem is neglected. Third, indirect costs were not considered and most companies feel that the conversion to a defined contribution arrangement compensates against escalating payouts for benefits. Fourth, long-term plans of the companies did not utilize the ill health statistics for the past 5 years.

Ecological mechanisms underpinning climate adaptation services.

PubMed

Lavorel, Sandra; Colloff, Matthew J; McIntyre, Sue; Doherty, Michael D; Murphy, Helen T; Metcalfe, Daniel J; Dunlop, Michael; Williams, Richard J; Wise, Russell M; Williams, Kristen J

2015-01-01

Ecosystem services are typically valued for their immediate material or cultural benefits to human wellbeing, supported by regulating and supporting services. Under climate change, with more frequent stresses and novel shocks, 'climate adaptation services', are defined as the benefits to people from increased social ability to respond to change, provided by the capability of ecosystems to moderate and adapt to climate change and variability. They broaden the ecosystem services framework to assist decision makers in planning for an uncertain future with new choices and options. We present a generic framework for operationalising the adaptation services concept. Four steps guide the identification of intrinsic ecological mechanisms that facilitate the maintenance and emergence of ecosystem services during periods of change, and so materialise as adaptation services. We applied this framework for four contrasted Australian ecosystems. Comparative analyses enabled by the operational framework suggest that adaptation services that emerge during trajectories of ecological change are supported by common mechanisms: vegetation structural diversity, the role of keystone species or functional groups, response diversity and landscape connectivity, which underpin the persistence of function and the reassembly of ecological communities under severe climate change and variability. Such understanding should guide ecosystem management towards adaptation planning. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

How are state insurance marketplaces shaping health plan design?

PubMed

Rosenbaum, Sara; Lopez, Nancy; Mehta, Devi; Dorley, Mark; Burke, Taylor; Widge, Alicia

2013-12-01

Part of states' roles in administering the new health insurance marketplaces is to certify the health plans available for purchase. This analysis focuses on how state-based and state partnership marketplaces are using their flexibility in setting certification standards to shape plan design in the individual market. It focuses on three aspects of certification: provider networks; inclusion of essential community providers; and benefit substitution, which allows plans to offer benefits that differ from a state's benchmark plan. A review of documents collected from 18 states and the District of Columbia finds that 13 states go beyond the minimum federal requirements with respect to provider network standards, four states specify additional standards for including essential community providers, and five states and Washington, D.C., bar benefit substitution. These interstate variations in plan design reflect the challenges policymakers face in balancing health care affordability, benefit coverage, and access to care through the marketplace plans.

Employee benefits annual checkup.

PubMed

Brossman, M E; Taran, J

2001-06-01

An annual checkup is a prudent preventive measure for employee benefit plans. It allows plan fiduciaries to assess the overall "health" of the plans they administer and to make proactive corrections. This article lists some of the most important items to consider in evaluating a plan.

Accident Response and Investigation Plan

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-11-01

The purpose of this plan is to identify and define the responsibilities of the various parties involved should an accident, incident, or other occurrence (as defined herein) occur for which OCST has responsibility. In so doing, the plan: : o Defines ...

Time evolving multi-city dependencies and robustness tradeoffs for risk-based portfolios of conservation, transfers, and cooperative water supply infrastructure development pathways

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trindade, B. C.; Reed, P. M.; Zeff, H. B.; Characklis, G. W.

2016-12-01

Water scarcity in historically water-rich regions such as the southeastern United States is becoming a more prevalent concern. It has been shown that cooperative short-term planning that relies on conservation and transfers of existing supplies amongst communities can be used by water utilities to mitigate the effects of water scarcity in the near future. However, in the longer term, infrastructure expansion is likely to be necessary to address imbalances between growing water demands and the available supply capacity. This study seeks to better diagnose and avoid candidate modes for system failure. Although it is becoming more common for water utilities to evaluate the robustness of their water supply, defined as the insensitivity of their systems to errors in deeply uncertain projections or assumptions, defining robustness is particularly challenging in multi-stakeholder regional contexts for decisions that encompass short management actions and long-term infrastructure planning. Planning and management decisions are highly interdependent and strongly shape how a region's infrastructure itself evolves. This research advances the concept of system robustness by making it evolve over time rather than static, so that it is applicable to an adaptive system and therefore more suited for use for combined short and long-term planning efforts. The test case for this research is the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, where the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill are experiencing rapid population growth and increasing concerns over drought. This study is facilitating their engagement in cooperative and robust regional water portfolio planning. The insights from this work have general merit for regions where adjacent municipalities can benefit from improving cooperative infrastructure investments and more efficient resource management strategies.

Safe teleoperation based on flexible intraoperative planning for robot-assisted laser microsurgery.

PubMed

Mattos, Leonardo S; Caldwell, Darwin G

2012-01-01

This paper describes a new intraoperative planning system created to improve precision and safety in teleoperated laser microsurgeries. It addresses major safety issues related to real-time control of a surgical laser during teleoperated procedures, which are related to the reliability and robustness of the telecommunication channels. Here, a safe solution is presented, consisting in a new planning system architecture that maintains the flexibility and benefits of real-time teleoperation and keeps the surgeon in control of all surgical actions. The developed system is based on our virtual scalpel system for robot-assisted laser microsurgery, and allows the intuitive use of stylus to create surgical plans directly over live video of the surgical field. In this case, surgical plans are defined as graphic objects overlaid on the live video, which can be easily modified or replaced as needed, and which are transmitted to the main surgical system controller for subsequent safe execution. In the process of improving safety, this new planning system also resulted in improved laser aiming precision and improved capability for higher quality laser procedures, both due to the new surgical plan execution module, which allows very fast and precise laser aiming control. Experimental results presented herein show that, in addition to the safety improvements, the new planning system resulted in a 48% improvement in laser aiming precision when compared to the previous virtual scalpel system.

Variations in county-level costs between traditional medicare and medicare advantage have implications for premium support.

PubMed

Biles, Brian; Casillas, Giselle; Guterman, Stuart

2015-01-01

Concern about the future growth of Medicare spending has led some in Congress and elsewhere to promote converting Medicare to a "premium support" system. Under premium support, Medicare would provide a "defined contribution" to each Medicare beneficiary to purchase either a Medicare Advantage (MA)-type private health plan or the traditional Medicare public plan. To better understand the implications of such a shift, we compared the average costs per beneficiary of providing Medicare benefits at the county level for traditional Medicare and four types of MA plans. We found that the relative costs of Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare varied greatly by MA plan type and by geographic location. The costs of health maintenance organization-type plans averaged 7 percent less than those of traditional Medicare, but the costs of the more loosely structured preferred provider organization and private fee-for-service plans averaged 12-18 percent more than those of traditional Medicare. In some counties MA plan costs averaged 28 percent less than costs in traditional Medicare, while in other counties MA plan costs averaged 26 percent more than traditional Medicare costs. Enactment of a Medicare premium-support proposal could trigger cost increases for beneficiaries participating in Medicare Advantage as well as those in traditional Medicare. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

75 FR 68383 - Hearing on Reasonable Contracts or Arrangements for Welfare Benefit Plans Under Section 408(b)(2...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-05

..., e.g., group health plans, severance plans, vacation plans, apprenticeship and training plans, etc..., accident, disability, death or unemployment, or vacation benefits, apprenticeship or other training... written request to be heard; and (2) An outline of the topics to be discussed, indicating the time...

29 CFR 4044.55 - XRA when a participant must retire to receive a benefit.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS ALLOCATION OF ASSETS IN SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS Valuation of Benefits and Assets...) Applicability. Except as provided in § 4044.57, the plan administrator shall determine the XRA under this section when plan provisions or established plan practice require a participant to retire from his or her...

42 CFR 433.145 - Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan... Liability Assignment of Rights to Benefits § 433.145 Assignment of rights to benefits—State plan... beneficiary is required to: (1) Assign to the Medicaid agency his or her rights, or the rights of any other...

42 CFR 433.145 - Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan... Liability Assignment of Rights to Benefits § 433.145 Assignment of rights to benefits—State plan... recipient is required to: (1) Assign to the Medicaid agency his or her rights, or the rights of any other...

42 CFR 433.145 - Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan... Liability Assignment of Rights to Benefits § 433.145 Assignment of rights to benefits—State plan... beneficiary is required to: (1) Assign to the Medicaid agency his or her rights, or the rights of any other...

42 CFR 433.145 - Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan... Liability Assignment of Rights to Benefits § 433.145 Assignment of rights to benefits—State plan... beneficiary is required to: (1) Assign to the Medicaid agency his or her rights, or the rights of any other...

42 CFR 433.145 - Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Assignment of rights to benefits-State plan... Liability Assignment of Rights to Benefits § 433.145 Assignment of rights to benefits—State plan... recipient is required to: (1) Assign to the Medicaid agency his or her rights, or the rights of any other...

Sustainability considerations for health research and analytic data infrastructures.

PubMed

Wilcox, Adam; Randhawa, Gurvaneet; Embi, Peter; Cao, Hui; Kuperman, Gilad J

2014-01-01

The United States has made recent large investments in creating data infrastructures to support the important goals of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research (CER), with still more investment planned. These initial investments, while critical to the creation of the infrastructures, are not expected to sustain them much beyond the initial development. To provide the maximum benefit, the infrastructures need to be sustained through innovative financing models while providing value to PCOR and CER researchers. Based on our experience with creating flexible sustainability strategies (i.e., strategies that are adaptive to the different characteristics and opportunities of a resource or infrastructure), we define specific factors that are important considerations in developing a sustainability strategy. These factors include assets, expansion, complexity, and stakeholders. Each factor is described, with examples of how it is applied. These factors are dimensions of variation in different resources, to which a sustainability strategy should adapt. We also identify specific important considerations for maintaining an infrastructure, so that the long-term intended benefits can be realized. These observations are presented as lessons learned, to be applied to other sustainability efforts. We define the lessons learned, relating them to the defined sustainability factors as interactions between factors. Using perspectives and experiences from a diverse group of experts, we define broad characteristics of sustainability strategies and important observations, which can vary for different projects. Other descriptions of adaptive, flexible, and successful models of collaboration between stakeholders and data infrastructures can expand this framework by identifying other factors for sustainability, and give more concrete directions on how sustainability can be best achieved.

Recovering activity and illusion: the nephrology day care unit.

PubMed

Remón Rodríguez, C; Quirós Ganga, P L; González-Outón, J; del Castillo Gámez, R; García Herrera, A L; Sánchez Márquez, M G

2011-01-01

Day Care Units are an alternative to hospital care that improves more efficiency. The Nephrology, by its technical characteristics, would be benefit greatly from further development of this care modality. The objectives of this study are to present the process we have developed the Nephrology Day Care Unit in the Puerto Real University Hospital (Cádiz, Spain). For this project we followed the Deming Management Method of Quality improvement, selecting opportunities, analyzing causes, select interventions, implement and monitor results. The intervention plan includes the following points: 1) Define the place of the Day Care Unit in the organization of our Clinical Department of Nephrology, 2) Define the Manual of organization, 3) Define the structural and equipment resources, 4) Define the Catalogue of services and procedures, 5) Standards of Care Processes. Protocols and Clinical Pathways; and 6) Information and Registration System. In the first 8 months we have been performed nearly 2000 procedures, which corresponds to an average of about 10 procedures per day, and essentially related to Hemodialysis in critical or acute patients, the Interventional Nephrology, the Clinical Nephrology and Peritoneal Dialysis. The development of the Nephrology Day Care Units can help to increase our autonomy, our presence in Hospitals, recover the progressive loss of clinical activity (diagnostic and therapeutic skills) in the past to the benefit of other Specialties. It also contributes to: Promote and develop the Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology; improve the clinical management of patients with Primary Health Level, promote the Health Education and Investigation, collaborate in the Resources Management, and finally, to make more attractive and exciting our Specialty, both for nephrologists to training specialists.