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Benefits After the Bubble:
Rethinking Your Strategy

OCTOBER 30, 2003
 
8:15 - 8:45 a.m. CHECK-IN/CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
 
8:45 - 9:00 a.m. WELCOME
 
Peter K. Bradley, President, NYEBC
Judith F. DeCourcey, Co-chairperson, Rochester Conference
Planning Committee
 
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. LEGAL UPDATE
 
Robert Wild, Esq., Nixon Peabody LLP
Mr. Wild will present an informative overview of recent legislation, new regulations, and other legal developments affecting the benefits community.
 
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. BREAK
 
10:15 - 11:25 a.m. INSIDE THE BELTWAY
 
Leslie Kramerich, Esq., Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Geoffrey P. Manville, Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Our speakers, true Washington insiders, analyze and report on federal legislative and regulatory developments and assist clients in presenting their positions to Congress and federal agencies. Ms. Kramerich was previously Assistant Secretary of Labor heading the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, the agency responsible for ERISA policy and enforcement. Mr. Manville was affiliated with the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC), a major lobbying association for the employee benefit interests of large employers. Together they will take us behind the scenes in our nation’s capital and share their insights about what lies ahead in potential federal legislative and regulatory activity impacting employee benefits.
 
11:25 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. A LOOK INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL: WHERE ARE WE HEADING?
 
Anna M. Rappaport, Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Changes in business globalization, politics, demographics, technology, and culture will have an impact on business structures, work location, people management, and, in turn, benefits design. An evolving social contract and a markedly different age structure will mean change in the way people enter and leave the labor force and greater competition for employees. Ms. Rappaport will review major trends influencing the workplace of the future and the benefits that organizations offer.

12:25 - 1:25 p.m. LUNCH

CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP DURING EACH AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSION.


1:25 - 2:35 P.M. BREAKOUT SESSION I
1. THE GREAT DEBATE I: DEFINED BENEFIT VS. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLANS 
Vincent Cassano, EBS Benefit Solutions, Inc.
Scott Ehrlinger, EBS Benefit Solutions, Inc.
Charles H. McLauchlin, moderator, EBS Benefit Solutions, Inc.
Sponsorship of qualified defined benefit retirement plans has been on the decline for approximately two decades with a shift to providing retirement benefits through defined contribution accounts. What does this mean for employees, retirees, plan sponsors and society as a whole? This session will feature a spirited debate between two experienced retirement plan practitioners.
2. CURRENT TRENDS IN EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Dan Ryterband, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.
The landscape has changed dramatically for executive compensation plans over the past couple of years. Have your plans kept pace? Mr. Ryterband will give an overview of the numerous reform initiatives recently put forth, the important messages emanating from them, and how they impact plan design.
3. PREPARING FOR FUTURE CARE: ELDER CARE/LONG TERM CARE
Patricia A. Bomba, MD, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Preparing for the future begins now. As employers, we need to focus on increasing personal accountability with regard to independence and quality of life. Dr. Bomba will examine the role of the employer in providing employees with planning resources for future care. Employees can then use these tools to help facilitate conversations with family about advance care planning and long term care.
 
2:35 - 2:50 p.m. BREAK
 
2:50 - 4:00 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION II

1. THE GREAT DEBATE II: DEFINED BENEFIT VS. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION HEALTH PLANS
Lawrence Becker, Xerox Corporation
Eric S. Grossman, moderator, Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Ruhina Tahir, Eastman Kodak Company
As the cost of employer-provided health care continues to escalate, most employers are looking to effectively manage the cost and still maintain a comprehensive level of coverage. This session will explore the strategies leading down the DB and DC paths and help you understand the nuances of each approach.

2. HELPING EMPLOYEES INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE

Lisa J. Boucher, Fidelity Investments Tax-Exempt Services
Maximizing the effectiveness of employee communications and investment education efforts has become more important than ever. Ms. Boucher will share Fidelity’s recent research and how employers can offer tools to help employees invest more wisely. This session will cover contemporary trends in employee communications and how to reach your employees most effectively.

3. SEAMLESS DISABILITY MANAGEMENT: IS IT A DREAM?

Aldon D. Daniels, Hewitt Associates LLC
What is integrated disability management? What are the benefits of such a program to an employer? Mr. Daniels will discuss his experiences as a corporate benefits manager responsible for disability programs, and now as a consultant, in implementing Total Absence Management Programs including integrated disability management. He will examine trends, available vendors for the spectrum of benefits (short and long term disability, workers compensation, and FMLA), and discuss potential pitfalls in implementing a seamless program.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The NYEBC conference fee is $200 per person (or just $175 per person for 2 or more registrants from the same organization), if received by SUNY Brockport by May 2. Registrations received after May 2 will be charged $220. Make checks payable to SUNY Brockport. The fee includes instructional materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. Final registration deadline is May 9. The program is subject to minimum and maximum enrollment.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
The registration fee, less $35 per person enrollment charge, will be refunded if cancellation is made by May 9. All cancellations must be in writing. No refund will be granted after May 9. We welcome substitutions although we appreciate advance notice.

TAX DEDUCTION
All expenses of a continuing education program (including registration fees, travel, meals, and lodging) taken to maintain and improve professional skills may be tax-deductible subject to the limitations set forth in the I.R.C. Reg. §1.162-5. Please consult your tax adviser.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
The Wyndham Syracuse Hotel is holding a block of rooms for conference attendees. To reserve a room call the hotel at (315) 432-0200 or (800) 782-9847. To receive the conference rate of $105 (single or double occupancy) mention that you are attending the NYEBC conference and reserve your room by May 1, 2003.
The Wyndham Syracuse is located off I90, Exit 35, at 6301 Route 298, East Syracuse. We will include directions with your registration confirmation.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CREDIT
SUNY College at Brockport recommends that six hours of CPE and CEU credit be awarded to professionals who attend the NYEBC spring conference.
The New York State Board of Pubic Accountancy approved SUNY Brockport as a provider of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Professionals who deal with employee benefits including:
  • Accountants
  • Actuaries
  • Administrators
  • Attorneys
  • Compensation Managers
  • Consultants
  • Employee Benefit Managers
  • Human Resource Managers
  • Insurance Professionals
  • Personnel Officers
  • Plan Sponsors
  • Trust Officers

ABOUT NYEBC
The New York Employee Benefits Conference (NYEBC), formed in 1979, helps further the education of individuals who deal with employee benefits and promotes sound principles and practices in the field. NYEBC sponsors semiannual conferences and local educational programs in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.
Visit the NYEBC website at www.nyebc.org

THE SUNY BROCKPORT CONNECTION
The Office of Professional Education at the State University of New York College at Brockport is responsible for administering NYEBC seminars and conferences. SUNY Brockport awards CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits and CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for attendance at NYEBC programs. For more information or to help us update names and addresses on our mailing list, call (585) 395-2523.

EXHIBITORS
Among the companies that will exhibit at the NYEBC conference in Rochester are:
BURKE GROUP
EBS BENEFIT SOLUTIONS, INC.
EXCELLUS BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF THE ROCHESTER AREA
MARSH
MEDAMERICA INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
MERCER HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTING
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
PREFERRED CARE
PROVIDIUM CONSULTING GROUP

NYEBC does not officially endorse the products or services of any conference exhibitor.

ROCHESTER PLANNING COMMITTEE
Gail Albers
Bruce Barmore
Joan Batzold
Renee Brownstein
Judy DeCourcey
Dave Edwards
Brian Kopp
Charles McLauchlin
Will Seabolt
Dele Theodorakos

NYEBC Board of Directors

ALBANY
Carolyn J. Anderson
 Wm. J. Kline & Son, Inc.
James W. Brown III
 Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company
Brian P. Goldstein
 The Goldstein Law Firm, PC
Amelia M. Klein
 Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
Cynthia A. Nash
 Benefits Consultant
David A. Pratt
 Albany Law School
Kara Tedesco
 Milliman USA
Vandy Veeder
 Farm Family Life Insurance Company

BUFFALO
Raymond H. Barr
 Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber LLP
Peter K. Bradley
 Hodgson Russ LLP
James A. Cammarata
 Atlantic Capital Management Inc.
Patrick J. Carlin
 Benefits Consultant
Nancy Furno
 Moog Inc.
Andrew R. Graham
 Benefits Consultant
Cynthia A. Hammer
 North American Health Plans, Inc.
David H. Kernan
 Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber LLP

ROCHESTER
Gail Albers
 Excellus Health Plan
Bruce W. Barmore
 Benefits Consultant
Renee R. Brownstein
 Rochester Institute of Technology
Judith F. DeCourcey
 Rochester Institute of Technology
David E. Edwards
 Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Brian Kopp
 Nixon Peabody LLP
Charles H. McLauchlin
 EBS Benefit Solutions, Inc.

SYRACUSE
Mary Jo Bertrand
 Carrier Corporation
Steven P. Chase
 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Stephen C. Daley
 Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
James N. Jerose
 RMSCO, Inc.
Sarah J. Ludington
 O'Brien & Gere Companies
Sharon A. McAuliffe
 Green & Seifter Attorneys, PLLC
James R. Mersfelder
 Retirement Income Services

 


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