The economists and staff at the Securities and Exchange Commission who are responsible for performing a more detailed cost-benefit analysis on the agencys rule to put brokers under a fiduciary mandate plan to ask the public to weigh in.

Although hiring independent contractors can reduce the paperwork, tax burden and hassles associated with bringing on employees, Christopher Ezold, a business attorney and tax partner with the Ezold Law Firm P.C., a Philadelphia-based employment and business boutique, warns that employers can expect contractor classification changes by the IRS in 2012.

E*Trade Securities LLC has agreed to return up to $20 million to California investors over allegations that the company misrepresented auction rate securities to investors as safe, cash-equivalent products, even though the products faced increasing liquidity risk.

Republicans would cut federal employee benefits. President Barack Obama would raise fees for airline passengers and eliminate Saturday mail delivery. Democrats in Congress would charge employers higher premiums for federal pension guarantees.