Findley Davies - Consultants in Human Resources

PLANSPONSOR released the results of its annual survey of companies offering defined benefit plan administration and for the second straight year Findley Davies is on the list.

Human resources professionals dedicate countless hours to the development, growth, and strategic directions of a company. The HR Excellence Awards on July 18, 2013 will recognize individuals and organizations for their leadership and best practices.

On May 2, 2013, the IRS released the 2014 limitation on deductions for health savings accounts -- $3,300 for an individual with self-only coverage under a high-deductible plan and $6,550 for an individual with family coverage under a high-deductible plan.

Findley Davies has added to its expertise in the small retirement plan market. We have aquired the assets of Columbus Retirement Administrators, an innovative company providing the small plan market customized plan services, including investment flexibility typically reserved for large and mid-size plans.

Wellness programs and initiatives are evolving as employers realize healthier employees give them a competitive edge. Nancy Pokorny, Findley Davies Managing Consultant, discusses the evolution of wellness programs.

How the health care landscape is evolving through internal and external pressure.

Many of our clients are preparing their communication to employees about the 401(k) fees they are paying. Being proactive can help your company enhance the trust of your employees and ensure them the plan’s services and fees are being periodically reviewed.

Get real-time information about your retirement account anytime, anywhere with the "Retirement Focus" app. The app provides quick and easy access to your investments, balances and transactions.

On August 16, 2012, the Treasury and IRS released rates to be used for calculating employers' minimum contributions for pension plans. Companies that use the new rates for 2012 can reduce their pension contributions up to 15 percent.

Bruce Davis, Findley Davies Principal, was featured on July 13th in a Columbus Business First article titled "Wait-and-see is ill-advised with ACA, consultants say." This article discusses how some employers are not implementing changes that comply with the Affordable Care Act before November, in hopes of a Republican sweep and eventual repeal.

Are your management compensation plans designed properly? A lot is being written and debated today about the value of compensation being delivered to executives of publically traded companies, particularly the Fortune 500 companies. While the amount of compensation being delivered is much smaller, and perhaps the metrics of defining sucess is difference, the issues around market competitiveness, pay for performance and alignment with business strategy are just as important.

While the mainstream press will talk mainly about the highway transportation and student loan bill likely to be voted on today in both the House and the Senate, the biggest piece of news for the benefits industry is the few pages of pension relief buried in the nearly 600-page bill.

Kyle Pifher, Findley Davies Principal, was featured on Friday, June 22^nd in a Columbus Business First article titled ‘New 401(k) rules to prompt more communication, extra administrative work.’ This article discusses how these changes will affect employers that sponsor 401(k) plans and what employers can do to get ahead.

Bruce Davis, Principal, recently provided insights on how employers can prepare for 2013 ahead of the Supreme Court decision on Health Care Reform. In the Smart Business magazine, he shares some of the challenges employers face if the entire act is struck down.

Kyle Pifher addresses retirement plan fee disclosure on 610 WTVN Radio. Learn about the impact to both plan sponsors and employees.

Steve Parsons, Principal, recently provided information on how to tackle pension underfunding issues in an interview with Leslie Stevens-Huffman of Smart Business Magazine.

Laura Hoag keynote speaker at 2012 Workplace Wellness Forum: Employee Health - The New Bottom Line

On March 14, 2012, the U.S. Senate passed a transportation bill that contains provisions to provide some funding relief to defined benefit pension plans.

Human resources professionals dedicate countless hours to the development, growth, and strategic direction of a company.  In an effort to recognize exceptional work and innovation, Findley Davies would like to introduce you to a new and exciting opportunity to recognize the best and brightest HR professionals and organizations in Central Ohio.

See a video of Kyle Pifher, Principal, describe why Findley Davies feels passionately about recognizing Central Ohio's exceptional HR professionals. Click here.

Columbus C.E.O. magazine is proud to introduce the HR Excellence Awards 2012: Achievements in Human Resources.  As the Platinum sponsor of this event, Findley Davies plans to help identify and recognize Central Ohio's HR professionals excelling in their field, as well as the organizations that are setting trends and establishing best practices.  Awards will be given in these six categories:

• Executive of the Year
• Best Practices
• Cutting Edge
• Lifetime Achievement
• Good Works
• Future Leaders

Click here for more details and registration.

A selection committee of local executives and HR professionals will review all nominations and choose the finalists and winners. They will be honored at a special reception on August 2nd at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and recognized in the magazine's August issue. We hope to see you there.

Read the press release here.

Kyle Pifher, Principal, recently provided information on how to prepare for the new fee disclosure regulations for 401(k) plans in an interview with Leslie Stevens-Huffman of Smart Business Magazine.

Laura Hoag was recently interviewed by Ohio Means Business. An article on the interview appeared in the The Columbus Dispatch on Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Kyle Pifher, Findley Davies' Principal and Market Leader comments on the impact of retirement plan fee disclosure to employers and employees.

In this Columbus Dispatch article, Kyle Pifher explains that employers have a moral and legal obligation to help their employees retire with financial security.  He explains retirement fee disclosure regulations and important retirement plan decisions employees need to make.

Smart Business Magazine spoke with Findley Davies' Bruce Davis about the latest health care trends and how employers are using the information to make plan changes and update their current strategy.

Denise Horwitz and Kate Murawa, Consultants with Findley Davies' Communication and Change Management Practice, will be presenting "Enhance Results and Empower Employees Through Personalized Communications" at the upcoming IABC Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

Nancy Pokorny and Laura Hoag recently presented at the 6th Annual Ohio Employee Health and Wellness Conference on "Transforming Your Workplace into a 'Well' Organization".   

This Business First article touts the growth of Findley Davies which has led to new office space in the Columbus market.  The new Columbus office is led by Market Leaders Kyle Pifher and Greg Lashutka.

Smart Business Magazine spoke with Findley Davies' Kimberlie England about her reliable methodology for driving organizational change in today’s turbulent business climate.

In this Business First article, Marc Stockwell explains pay increase trends.

Kyle Pifher recently provided expert tips and advice to Smart Business Magazine on defined contribution plans. The article addresses the new fee disclosure regulations and provides insight on how simplified plan design and tools can help employees meet their financial goals. 

Rob Rogers recently provided expert tips and advice to Smart Business Magazine on talent management. The article focuses on how employers can align their employees with organizational strategies to achieve success in the new economy. 

Compliance Reminder: Cafeteria Plans Must be Amended by June 30th to Reflect Changes to Flexible Spending Accounts Required by PPACA.

Lori Wagner of our Cleveland Office was given an opportunity to comment on our Dependent Eligibility Audit Services for an article in the March edition of Columbus C.E. O.  Our client - Larry Jeffries, Director of Human Resources of Parma Community Hospital was interviewed as well and provided his dependent audit experience working with Findley Davies, the surprising audit results and unexpected savings. 

In this Columbus C.E.O. article, Lori Wagner, Findley Davies' Senior Consultant, explains that employers can cut health insurance costs by identifyng ineligible dependents and kicking them off the plan.

Neville Arjani and Matthew Klein recently had an article published in the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) that discusses the volatility of a pension plan's funded status inherent in the current accounting rules and how timing is everything. They provide reasons for constant vigilance in reviewing a plan's status in the link below.

Hold on as you read the Pension Funding Roller Coaster.

In this article, Business First looks at how companies have managed their work forces in tougher times and how they're adjusting in 2011.  Rob Rogers, Chairman and Principal, Findley Davies, shares that many companies are trying to survive with their existing work force but that mindset is starting to loosen.

Nancy Pokorny recently provided expert advice to Smart Business Magazine and a large audience at the Crain's Ideas at Dawn Breakfast Series on how organizations can implement a successful wellness program.

In the October 2010 issue of Columbus CEO magazine, Kyle Pifher is quoted in the special feature titled "HR Evolution". The feature explores how human resources professionals are becoming more involved with company strategy and decision-making.

Read on for more information... HR Evolution

In the October 1, 2010, issue of Columbus Business First, Carrie Alexander is quoted in the article "Reform Muddies Premium Renewals". The article explores how health reform is affecting open enrollment as employers are bracing for more health insurance rate hikes.

Read on for more information... Reform Muddies Premium Renewals 

Findley Davies has developed the following Pension Indicator^TM to allow employers to evaluate their risk exposure by monitoring the estimated changes to their pension plan’s funded status as it is reported for financial statement purposes under U.S. GAAP.

The article, "Your Open Enrollment and Health-Care Reform Roadmap for Effective Communications", is a guide for employers as they work through open enrollment season and provides tips for making this a successful open enrollment period. 

During the week of December 14, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 3326, which included an extension of the COBRA subsidies established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Findley Davies' fourth release of Best Practices for HR in a Down Economy.

The IRS continues to crack down on excess compensation within not-for-profit organizations. Now is the time to review your compensation policy.

This briefing provides guidelines for not-for-profit organizations to ensure their compensation policy is in compliance with IRC 4958.

Read the full briefing.

Findley Davies' third release of Best Practices for HR in a Down Economy.

Findley Davies' Health and Group Benefits Practice compiled this 2009 Compliance Checklist to help you navigate new legislative changes.

Access the 2009 Compliance Checklist.

Many businesses own life insurance contracts that insure the lives of key employees. This bulletin examines the taxability of such contracts' death benefits.

Many businesses own life insurance contracts that insure the lives of key employees in the organization. The IRS has recently issued Notice 2009-48 which describes the IRS’s interpretation of IRC §101(j) and, in effect, creates standards for evaluating whether the death benefit received by an employer from a life insurance contract will be taxable or not. This bulletin examines the new guidelines relating to employer owned life insurance.

Read the full bulletin.

Findley Davies hosted a Roundtable event on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at the Athletic Club of Columbus, which addressed the economy and HR best practices.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (the Fair Pay Act) expressly overruled the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

On January 29, 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (the Fair Pay Act) was signed into law. This bulletin examines the impact of the Fair Pay Act on the prevention of compensation discrimination.

Read the full bulletin.

IRS Provides Pension Funding Guidelines Which Could Save Some Plan Sponsors Significant Cash Contributions in 2009 or 2010

On March 30, 2009, the IRS made an important announcement through its online newsletter. This bulletin discusses the implications of this announcement on pension plans.

Read the full bulletin.

Analyzing options to change retirement plan benefits leads to enhanced long-term financial performance for this organization.

An organization faced with considerable pressure on their retirement plans from the economic environment, legislation changes, and competitive forces opted to analyze a redesign of their retirement program.

Read the full case study.

Findley Davies is committed to helping our clients and contacts navigate the recession and respond to the overwhelming amount of information being distributed.

Employers have been responding to the current economic environment by making substantive changes to direct compensation delivered to executive and employees.

The trends summarized in this Bulletin reflect action taken by company boards and employers in general, recognizing that individual company circumstances dictate specific action.

Read the full bulletin.

It's time to refine and execute a comprehensive communication strategy. This bulletin discusses some of the top ways to do that.

How do you keep your employees productive and give them a sense of security and control in an otherwise uncontrollable environment? This bulletin discusses some communication tools to do that.

Read teh full bulletin.

TARRA imposes significant new executive compensation rules on recipients of financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

This briefing examines the key provisions of the Act and the related implications for executive compensation.

Read the full briefing.

The federal government will impose additional requirements relating to the Children’s Health Insurance Program effective April 1, 2009.

This bulletin outlines the new requirements related to the Children's Health Insurance Program, which will go into effect April 1, 2009.

Read the full bulletin.

Findley Davies released the first four best practices in its list of Best Practices for HR in a Down Economy.

This week, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This bulletin outlines the new COBRA provisions that go into effect March 1, 2009.

This bulletin outlines the new COBRA provisions that go into effect March 1, 2009, and helps identify how the new provisions will affect your organization.

Read the full bulletin.

Growing levels of stress and anxiety about the economic turbulence can impact your employees and their job performance.

This bulletin covers some key considerations for your organization's communication strategy.

Read the full briefing.

Required minimum distribution rules for defined contribution plans, including 403(b) plans and 457(b) plans, have been suspended for 2009.

This bulletin contains clarification on required minimum distribution ("RMD") rules, as changed by the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act.

Read the full bulletin.

The Worker, Retire, and Employer Recover Act of 2008 was signed into law on December 22, 2008.

This bulletin contains highlights from the Act. The Act includes Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA '06) technical corrections as well as short-term pension relief provisions.

Keeping Health Benefits Affordable in the Face of Persistent and Worsening Trend Rates

To read the reference guide please click on the following link:

Read the reference guide.

Given the turbulent economic environment, Total Rewards Managers are facing significant challenges and changes within their organizations.

Short-term financial stress may force alternative cost-cutting measures for immediate implementation. So, how can total rewards be restructured to maintain workforce engagement? And what should be your long term approach to creating a total rewards system that is adaptable, flexible, and aligned with your strategic business direction?

Read the full article.

Doubt About the Effectiveness of New Cost Containment Strategies and Expected Surge in CDHP Enrollment

Read the reference guide.

This information guide provides a brief overview of the requirements issued under Internal Revenue Code 409A, as well as a summary of key operational requirements provided for under the final regulations.

Read teh reference guide.

Among the recent changes of the Pension Plan Act (PPA), defined contribution plan sponsors should remember that the new accelerated vesting requirements apply now, as well as, the option of non-spouse beneficiary rollovers.

Read the full article.

Defined contribution plans that are invested in publicly traded employer securities must provide investment diversification rights with respect to those employer securities. Additionally, a notice describing the diversification rights and information on the importance of diversifying must be provided to "applicable individuals." These rules are effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2006.

Read the full article.

Important reporting information for organizations with defined benefit pensions and other post-retirement plans.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 made significant changes to the benefit statement requirements for defined contribution and defined benefits plans.

Deciding which retirement plan works best for your situation can be overwhelming for employees. A communication strategy is critical to help employees understand their options, make the most appropriate selection, and feel comfortable with the changes.

Discover how Findley Davies worked with Mercy Memorial Hospital to create effective communications around changes in their retirement program.

Read the full case study.

Please be advised that deadlines are approaching for HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices as well as Medicare Part D - Disclosure Requirements.

Recently there have been important regulatory and legislative developments affecting FSA, HRA, and HSA.

New disclosure rules have a significant impact on the form and content of compensation information that is disclosed to investors in public companies.

Findley Davies, Inc. today announced the results of its 10th annual health care trend survey of major health insurance carrier underwriters.

The SEC is expected to issue final rules later this year that would become effective for the 2007 proxy season.

Findley Davies responds to recent FASB Exposure Draft on "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans".

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just released updated guidance and model notices for group health plan sponsors.