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Explore IRA options today, save for tomorrow
Recently, I found myself in conversation with family friends who are at a number of crossroads. One child recently purchased a home, one child is moving off to a full-time professional placement, and yet another is heading to college after having finished a summer of part-time employment. While each of these paths carries distinct differences, […]
Cryptic Medical Bills and Health Insurance
Dr. Michael Kirsch, a practicing physician and newspaper columnist, has lamented that he has difficulty answering a number of his patients’ questions. One key question is: “Why can’t patients receive medical bills they can understand?” Recently, I happened to visit the doctor, the dentist, and the vet all in the same two weeks. We paid
Answers about the state’s Nonprofit Revitalization Act
For the last eight months, I have been responding to numerous questions from nonprofit organization board and management members related to the Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013, signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last December. My recent column (entitled, “Complying with the Nonprofit Revitalization Act’s rules” and appearing in the April 4, 2014 issue
U.S. Health-Care Costs versus Health Outcomes
Dr. Michael Kirsch, a practicing physician and newspaper columnist, has lamented that he has difficulty answering questions about the economics of health care. One of his questions strikes at the heart of the justification for Obamacare: “Why is our per-capita health care cost so much higher than other nations that demonstrate superior health outcomes?” Implicit
Affordable Care Act Taxes & Fees: What Employers Need to Know for 2015
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law in 2010, employers who offer employee health benefits have absorbed additional costs to provide quality health-care coverage to their employees. These costs have taken the form of expanded eligibility for adult dependents, routine and preventive services covered at no member cost share for non-grandfathered plans,
How satisfied are your employees?
Of course, most of us have probably heard the legendary song “(I can’t get no) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones many times. Unfortunately, the words are also a feeling shared by many people these days. All you have to do is check your Facebook newsfeed or Twitter account to find people who “can’t get no
Guidance on Taxes and Employee Benefits in the Year since the U.S. v. Windsor
In June 2013, Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor. In particular, Section 3 of DOMA defined marriage for the purposes of federal law as being between one man and one woman, therefore, legally married same-sex couples were not considered
Beware of Hidden Dangers in Inadequate Indemnifications
Amy manufactures miniature springs. Brad wants to buy those springs to install in plastic frogs he sells to a burger chain as kids’ meal prizes. Brad knows that if a spring in one of his frogs malfunctions and injures someone, he’ll be sued. So, he insists that the contract with Amy include both an indemnification
It Takes the Right Tactics to Improve Sales Performance
In Lee Child’s book “Without Fail,” a Secret Service official simplifies a disturbing problem. “If the Yankees come to town saying they’re going to beat the Orioles, does that mean it’s true?” And then he adds, “Boasting about it is not the same thing as actually doing it.” It’s the same with sales, where there’s
Integration, Not Balance — Focus, Not Prioritization
“The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.” — Stephen Covey I am often amazed at how many of us have been given the same bad advice over the years, and, in retrospect, how often I have given it myself. I mean advice such as: live a balanced life, create work-life balance,
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