Benefits Manager

In an abrupt about-face, House GOP leaders announced Monday they're willing to extend the two percentage point cut in the payroll tax through the end of the year and add the roughly $100 billion cost to the nation's $15 trillion-plus debt.

The White House said Monday legislation in the Senate that would give employers broad leeway to restrict coverage for contraception is "dangerous and wrong."

Most of the cuts at Labor would come from an expected decrease in spending on unemployment insurance programs as the overall unemployment rate declines and fewer people claim benefits.

DOL's "Budget Web Chat" (#DOLBUDGET) held Monday was an opportunity for social media users to exchange thoughts, concerns, questions and blame with the U.S. agency responsible for the welfare of workers, job seekers and retirees.

The Federal Reserve delayed its decision again on Capital One's proposed $9 billion acquisition of ING Direct.

Declining discount rates and disappointing asset returns caused pension funding levels in major global markets to drop in 2011.

Well, just in case you had your doubts, consider the resurgent debate over the payroll tax cut. The suits in Congress have until Feb. 29 to figure out whether to extend the politically popular tax cut and hopefully how to pay for it or simply let it expire.

Mesirow Financial and PNC Institutional Investments have introduced an ERISA Section 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary service for Vested Interest retirement plan sponsors.