C-ELBW case studies
C-ELBW · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Employee Benefits Law Specialist (C-ELBW) is a professional credential for people whose work sits at the intersection of employee benefits and the law: benefits attorneys and paralegals, in-house counsel, compliance officers, HR and total-rewards leaders, plan administrators, consultants, and third-party administrators. It signals that a holder can reason through the statutes and regulations governing retirement and health and welfare plans rather than merely recite them, and can apply that reasoning to real plan documents, participant disputes, and government filings. The C-ELBW case studies are 5 cases and about 3,644 words.
1The Overfunded Spin-Off and the Shrinking Controlled Group
Northwind Manufacturing sponsors a defined benefit plan that is 96% funded on a termination basis. It sells its profitable Instruments division to a private buyer.
1,005 words, about 5 min2The Mid-Year ACA Change and the Grandfathered Plan
Pinecrest Health Systems sponsors a self-insured group health plan that has been grandfathered under the ACA since 2010. In March of the current plan year, Pinecrest's benefits committee approves three changes: (1) increasing the office visit copay from 25 to 40; (2) adding a new wellness program that requires employees to complete a health risk assessment and imposes a $600 surcharge on employees who do not complete it; and (3) changing the plan's prescription drug formulary to exclude a class of specialty drugs.
736 words, about 4 min3The Fiduciary's Fee Disclosure Failure
Lakeshore Community Bank sponsors a 401(k) plan with 620 participants and 48 million in assets. The plan's recordkeeper, Meridian, charges an asset-based fee of 0.35% plus a per-participant fee of 45.
633 words, about 3 min4The 409A Deferred Compensation Trap
Crestline Software, a private company, grants its CEO a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) that provides a lump-sum payment upon separation from service. The SERP document defines separation from service as "termination of employment" and does not specify a six-month delay for specified employees.
625 words, about 3 min5The Multiemployer Withdrawal Liability Dispute
Ridgeline Construction has contributed to the Building Trades Pension Fund, a multiemployer plan, for 12 years under a collective bargaining agreement with Local 88. In year 13, Ridgeline's CBA expires and the union strikes.
645 words, about 3 min