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33rd Annual St. Pats in Five Points
Posted on: March 6, 2015Categories: News & EventsWhen: March 14th, 2015 Time: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Where: Five Points, Columbia, SC Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door Get ready to live the luck of the Irish at the St. Patrick's Day Festival in Five Points next weekend! Over 40,000 people are expected to attend this annual event to celebrate all things green and Gaelic. The festival also promotes the businesses in the Five Points village. This year, the festival will include a 10K, 5 ...
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IRS Invites Comments on Cadillac Tax Implementation for 2018 (Part 2)
Posted on: March 5, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceOverview of IRS Proposals Notice 2015-16 describes a number of potential approaches on certain aspects of the ACA’s Cadillac tax provision, which may be included in future proposed regulations. The IRS is requesting comments on the potential approaches, as well as any other approaches or guidance that might be helpful. Definition of Applicable Coverage Notice 2015-16 includes the following potential clarifications on the definition of applicable coverage: The IRS expects future guidance to i ...
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March is National Nutrition Month
Posted on: March 4, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7National Nutrition Month is designed to promote nutrition education and information. Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits. For 2015, the theme is "Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle," which encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed f ...
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March 2015 Health Care Reform
Posted on: March 3, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceIRS Releases Final Forms and Instructions for ACA Reporting The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these new reporting rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) to their employees. On Feb. 8, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final versions of forms and related instructions that employers may use to report under ...
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IRS Invites Comments on Cadillac Tax Implementation for 2018 (Part 1)
Posted on: March 3, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceFor taxable years beginning in 2018, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost group health coverage. This tax, also known as the “Cadillac tax,” is intended to encourage companies to choose lower-cost health plans for their employees. On Feb. 23, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2015-16 to begin the process of developing guidance to implement the Cadillac tax. Proposed or final regulations have not yet been issued on the ACA’s Cadill ...
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DOL Issues Final Rule to Expand FMLA Protections for Same-sex Spouses
Posted on: March 2, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceOn Feb. 25, 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that expands protections under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for same-sex spouses. This final rule revises the definition of “spouse” under the FMLA to: Adopt a “place of celebration” rule (which is based on where the marriage was entered into), instead of the “state of residence” rule that applied under prior DOL guidance; and Expressly include same-sex marriages in addition to common law marria ...
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26th Annual Earlewood Classic Disc Golf Tournament
Posted on: February 27, 2015Categories: News & EventsThis weekend kicks off the 26th annual Earlewood Disc Golf Tournament in Columbia, South Carolina. This year the event will consist of two weekends: an amateur weekend and a professional weekend. Each tournament will consist of 4 rounds of 20 holes. If you play both weekends you will receive a $15 merchandise voucher. Prizes will also be awarded to those closest to the pin (CTP) and all amateur players will receive a player pack t-shirt. ...
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New Guidance and Relief for Employer Payment of Individual Premiums (Part II)
Posted on: February 26, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceReimbursement of Medicare and TRICARE Premiums Notice 2015-17 notes that an arrangement under which an employer reimburses (or pays directly) some or all of Medicare Part B or Part D premiums for employees constitutes an employer payment plan. Similarly, an arrangement under which an employer reimburses (or pays directly) some or all of medical expenses for employees covered by TRICARE constitutes an HRA. In both cases, if the arrangement covers two or more active employees, it is a group health ...
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Why are Colds More Common in the Winter?
Posted on: February 25, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7Although never confirmed, its always been said colds occur more in the winter time, but why? Recent studies show our body's immune system doesn't work as well at lower temperatures. The results of these studies suggest as internal body temperatures fall after exposure to cold air, the body's defense system weakens making a person less likely to beat rhinovirus (the viral agent that causes the common cold). It has been know rhinovi ...
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New Guidance and Relief for Employer Payment of Individual Premiums (Part I)
Posted on: February 24, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceIn the past, many employers have helped employees pay for individual health insurance policies instead of offering an employer-sponsored plan. In recent months, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) have released several pieces of guidance addressing these arrangements. The Departments’ guidance specifically addresses “employer payment plans,” under which an employer reimburses or pays premiums for an employee’s individual health ...
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February HR Brief
Posted on: February 23, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceDID YOU KNOW? Skilled employees can be difficult to find in many industries. However, apprenticeships can be a practical way to train and assess potential job candidates instead of committing to fill a position with an untested candidate. Apprenticeship programs can benefit both workers and companies because workers receive on-the-job training and employers do not have to pay them the full wages of a professionally skilled worker while they are still learning. Check state and federal laws for ...
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Gamecocks Run
Posted on: February 20, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceIn just one week, the University of South Carolina Athletic Department and Jam Active will be hosting the first annual Gamecocks Run. This will be a 6k run taking place in Columbia, SC on Saturday, February 28th, 2015. The race will start at 8:00am outside of William's Brice Football Stadium. While running or walking, participants will get to pass through key athletic and campus landmarks. From Williams Brice, racers will pass the Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, then pass the Caro ...
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Understanding Employer Reporting Requirements of the Health Care Law
Posted on: February 19, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceUnder the Affordable Care Act, applicable large employers– those with 50 or more full-time employees, including full time equivalent employees – are required to take some new actions. These employers must file information returns with the IRS and also provide statements to full-time employees about health coverage the employer offered or to show the employer didn’t offer coverage. Information reporting was voluntary for calendar year 2014. All applicable large employers are required ...
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Five Skills of Fitness
Posted on: February 18, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/71. Knowledge This is the evidence based understanding behind training and nutrition. Proper knowledge allows for a better understanding of how to execute a plan. You can improve knowledge in several ways such as reading scientific research articles or learning first hand from an expert. However, be aware that knowledge has often been known for misleading people so it is important to make sure the information is factual. ...
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IRS Guidance on Tax-Free Coverage for Children under Age 27
Posted on: February 17, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires group health plans that provide dependent coverage of children to continue to make the coverage available for an adult child until the child turns age 26. This adult child coverage mandate became effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. The ACA also provides for favorable tax treatment for coverage of adult children. Under the ACA, the value of health coverage provided for an employee's child who is under 27 years of age is not subjec ...
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Medicare Part D Disclosures due by March 1, 2015 for Calendar Year Plans
Posted on: February 16, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceGroup health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on an annual basis and at other select times, indicating whether the plan's prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. The plan sponsor must complete the online disclosure within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year. For calendar year health plans, the deadline for the annual online disclosure is March 1, 2015. Because March 1, 2015, ...
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Health Care Reform: Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
Posted on: February 12, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceWhen you buy health insurance coverage in the Marketplace, you may be able to get a premium tax credit (also called a subsidy) that lowers the amount you pay in monthly premiums. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals enrolled in Marketplace coverage may be eligible for health premium subsidies if their income falls within a specific range for the number of people in their household. In general, the lower your income is within these ranges, the bigger your credit will be. If you recei ...
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Paleo Diet
Posted on: February 11, 2015Categories: LiveWell 24/7The modern diet nowadays consists of refined food, trans fat and sugar which over time result in negative health outcomes and diseases. In contrast the paleo diet focuses on consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood, nuts, seeds and healthy fats. In general, the paleo diet is a based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans. Therefore many of the foods typically consumed today are avo ...
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Indexed Universal Life Insurance
Posted on: February 10, 2015Categories: HR & ComplianceMany people see life insurance as a simple, straightforward protection policy that pays out a sum to beneficiaries upon the death of the policyholder. At its most basic, this view is correct. However, life insurance can also be a far more dynamic product than other types of loss insurance. To start, there are two main types of life insurance policies: term life, which lasts only for a fixed period of time, and whole life, which is guaranteed to cover the death of the policyholder no matter when ...
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Cupid’s Chase 5K
Posted on: February 6, 2015Categories: News & EventsWhen: February 14, 2015 Time: 10:00 am Where: Maxcy Gregg Park Address: 1806 Blossom Street, Columbia, SC 29205 Registration Cost: $30 through February 13th, $50 day of the race Race Day Registration Start Time: 8:00 am About: This annual 5k race is provided by Community Options, Inc. and is 1 of 27 race locations. This nonprofit organization provides housing and employment support to people with disabilities. Registration packet pick up will ta ...
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