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About "Human resource services"

The PwC human resource services practice assists clients in improving the performance of all aspects of their HR organizations, both management of Human Capital and HR operational excellence, through thought leadership and innovation.

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Article archive

  • An HR perspective: Focusing on the future of healthcare benefits

    5/15/13 | Human resource services

    PwC recently convened several roundtables of employers in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta to discuss health coverage at this pivotal moment. This thought leadership article highlights the conversations and results of the related survey.

  • DOL is considering requiring defined contribution plans to provide lifetime income illustrations on benefit statements

    5/14/13 | Human resource services

    The Department of Labor (DOL) issued advance notice of proposed rulemaking on new disclosure requirements on lifetime income illustrations on defined contribution plan benefit statements.

  • Guidance issued notice to employees on health insurance exchanges

    5/10/13 | Human resource services

    Beginning Jan 1, 2014, individuals will be eligible to buy health insurance through a new public health insurance market.

  • Webcast
    Proposed Regulations issued on compensation deduction limitation, how does this impact health insurance providers? – May 16, 2013

    5/1/13 | Human resource services

    Watch this one-hour webcast for a discussion on how the proposed regulations issued on compensation deduction limitation will impact health insurance providers.

  • FASB issued a final standard significantly revising the disclosure requirements for participating employers (HRS insight)

    4/26/13 | Human resource services

    Responding to concerns regarding the poor funding levels of many defined benefit multiemployer pension plans, as well as the lack of information on these plans in financial filings, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a final standard significantly revising the disclosure requirements for participating employers.

  • IRS proposes regulations on compensation deduction limitation for health insurance providers

    4/5/13 | Human resource services

    The IRS has issued proposed regulations on the $500,000 compensation deduction limit for remuneration paid to employees, officers and directors of certain health insurance providers.

  • Health Care Reform Roundup

    3/27/13 | Human resource services

    A slew of recent guidance from regulators about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives employers clarity about several provisions taking effect in 2014.

  • Webcast
    The Latest in Compensation and Benefits Accounting - Q1 2013 webcast – April 24, 2013

    3/21/13 | Human resource services

    Join us for our quarterly webcast designed for corporate financial reporting and HR executives. PwC specialists will provide their perspectives on emerging accounting, regulatory and market developments within the incentive compensation and employee benefits arena.

  • Overview of key tax provisions under the Affordable Care Act (HRS Insight)

    3/19/13 | Human resource services

    The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made broad changes with respect to health care for individuals, employers and insurers.

  • Webcast
    Dispelling the Myths of HR Predictive Analytics Webcast – March 20, 2013

    2/13/13 | Human resource services

    This PwC Saratoga webcast focuses on how to dispel “myths” related to predictive analytics and discusses ways to help deploy predictive solutions to help you leverage valuable historic data that already exists in your systems and surveys.

  • HR Innovation - Winter 2012/2013 - The opportunities and obstacles facing employers in a post-health reform world

    1/27/13 | Human resource services

    HR Innovation offers advanced thinking about the challenges that should be uppermost on the minds and agendas of organizations and their Human Resources (HR) leaders. In this issue of HR Innovation, we focus on HR Transaction Effectiveness, and delve into what it takes to effectively navigate the maze of critical talent-based decisions that can support deal success, shorten the time to close, and boost value.

  • Webcast
    2013 tax rate increases - how will you address the impact on your compensation programs? – January 16, 2013

    1/3/13 | Human resource services

    Now that the President and Congress have come to an agreement on tax rates, companies and executives can begin to craft compensation programs that address the higher income, capital gains and dividend tax rates on high earners. Please join us for a panel discussion on the issues and choices facing employers and executives for 2013 and beyond. 

  • Webcast
    Talent mobility 2020 and beyond – The future of mobility in a globally connected world webcast – January 17, 2013

    12/13/12 | Human resource services

    The business world is in the midst of fundamental change and in the next decade the ability of organizations to manage their global talent efficiently will mark the difference between success and failure, which places great responsibility on the shoulders of HR.

  • Companies are announcing special dividends - consider impact on stock compensation accounting (HRS Insight)

    12/7/12 | Human resource services

    Companies announce special one-time cash dividends that will be made before the end of the year. Consider the impact on stock compensation accounting.

  • Year-end actions may minimize the impact of tax rate increases

    12/6/12 | Human resource services

    Employers and employees can take steps before year-end to minimize the impact of the higher tax rates. Read this edition of HRS Insight.

  • Webcast
    Compensation Planning for Potential 2013 Tax Rate Increases webcast - December 18, 2012

    12/4/12 | Human resource services

    Even if the President and Congress agree to extend all Bush-era tax rates for 2013, taxes on higher income individuals will increase next year. Companies and executives can take actions now to accelerate income to 2012 to minimize the impact of the higher employee Medicare taxes effective in 2013. Companies can also consider changes to compensation programs for the future to minimize the impact of the higher tax rates. Please join us for a one hour webcast discussion on these topics.

  • HR Innovation - Fall 2012

    11/4/12 | Human resource services

    HR Transaction Effectiveness - how do you navigate the maze of critical talent-based decisions that can support deal success? In this issue of HR Innovation, we explore the potential value of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and other deals.

  • 2012 Global equity incentives survey

    11/3/12 | Human resource services

    PwC and the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP) have released the 2012 Global Equity Incentives Survey (GEIS): “Back to the Basics” - Executive Summary. Results from the 2012 GEIS clearly indicate that the same drivers remain, although it is interesting to see how the same drivers play out in different environments. The nuances of the changes from 2011 to 2012 certainly indicate that companies are growing increasingly comfortable doing business on a global basis and taking on risk with doing business globally.

  • 10Minutes
    10Minutes on talent priorities

    10/5/12 | Human resource services

    Talent continues to top the list of executive concerns. Company leaders are focusing on how talent can help them achieve the following four strategic priorities: power growth, realize ROI, manage risk, and enable transformation.

  • IRS provides guidance needed by employers to comply with Affordable Care Act

    9/13/12 | Human resource services

    IRS recently released guidance that addresses some of the very technical details employers must deal with as they implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

  • Paying lump sums to current retirees may reduce volatility risk in pension plans

    9/3/12 | Human resource services

    Recent press reports have described the efforts of two large companies with significant pension obligations to "de-risk" defined benefit pension plans by offering retirees in pay status a one-time opportunity to receive a lump sum payment in lieu of continuing annuity payments. The companies are seeking to reduce the volatility of future pension obligations for both funding and financial statement purposes. The IRS recently issued private letter rulings to each company confirming that offering a one-time opportunity for a lump sum payment to individuals who are currently receiving annuity payments does not violate the requirements for required minimum payments under the Internal Revenue Code.

  • Accounting considerations for the retirement benefit of Venezuela's new labor law

    8/20/12 | Human resource services

    On May 7, 2012, a new Venezuelan Labor Law, the Organic Law of Work and Workers, came into effect. The law creates job stability, except for terminations for due cause, and expands an employee's benefits, including the employee's year-end bonus and vacation bonus payments, maternity leave, and seniority premium payment benefits.

  • PwC Survey of Global Mobility Policies

    8/17/12 | Human resource services

    Policy benchmarking is the primary springboard to achieving a more competitive profile in your market, greater success in managing your mobile population, and ultimately, better financial results for your organization.

  • What employers need to know about medical loss ratio rebates

    7/30/12 | Human resource services

    Sponsors of insured group health plans may soon be receiving rebates of premiums paid in 2011 from the plan's insurance carrier as required under healthcare reform. To the extent that employees are entitled to all or a portion of the rebates, employers must also determine the appropriate tax treatment for any resultant cash rebates or premium holidays provided to employees. The rules give employers flexibility in deciding how to use the rebate attributable to participant contributions -- to provide a premium holiday or pay it directly to participants.

  • Employer rules for withholding the new 0.9% Medicare tax

    7/26/12 | Human resource services

    Beginning in 2013, an additional 0.9% Medicare tax is imposed on individuals who receive wages over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of a joint return, or $125,000 in the case of a married taxpayer filing separately). When added to the current 1.45% employee portion of the Medicare tax, a high-income taxpayer's wages will be subject to a 2.35% Medicare tax on wages above the threshold.

  • HR Innovation - Summer 2012

    7/19/12 | Human resource services

    Leading organizations are utilizing human capital metrics, surveys, and predictive analytics to bring workforce insights out of the shadows and to draw a vivid profile of everything from workforce trends, patterns, and motivations to operational and HR cost drivers and organizational assets. Today's expectations are high. But HR today has access to a suite of analytical tools like never before - analyses that can help us enable our enterprise assets and inform the C-suite with high-performance, high-level, and highly effective perspectives and insights. In this edition of HR Innovation, we'll take you on a journey through the ins and outs of workforce analytics and give you a good view into the challenges and triumphs that await..

  • Congress passes pension funding relief and increases PBGC premiums

    7/2/12 | Human resource services

    Congress has passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act ("MAP-21"), funding highway transportation projects and extending student loan interest rates. Significant changes for employer-sponsored defined benefit pension plans are included in the legislation as revenue raisers.

  • Issues for employers following Supreme Court ACA decision

    7/2/12 | Human resource services

    A divided Supreme Court has ruled that the requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that all Americans have health insurance is a constitutional exercise of the Congress's power to tax.

  • 401(k) plan fee case has broad implications for plan sponsors

    6/8/12 | Human resource services

    In Ronald Tussey v. ABB, Inc., the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri ruled against a plan sponsor, the plan committees and members and the plans' trustee and administrator for breaching their fiduciary duties toward the plan participants by not monitoring recordkeeping costs, failing to negotiate rebates for the plan, and other fiduciary breaches. The plaintiffs were awarded damages of $35.2 million (on plan assets of approximately $1.4 billion).

  • HRS provides guidance on the $2,500 annual limit for FSAs

    6/7/12 | Human resource services

    The IRS recently released Notice 2012-40 providing guidance regarding implementation of the new $2,500 annual limit on employees' elective salary reduction contributions to healthcare flexible spending arrangements, which was added to the Code by the Affordable Care Act of 2010. For more information, read this edition of HRS insight.

  • IRS provides guidance on the $2,500 annual limit for FSAs

    6/6/12 | Human resource services

    The IRS recently released Notice 2012-40 providing guidance regarding implementation of the new $2,500 annual limit on employees' elective salary reduction contributions to healthcare flexible spending arrangements ("health FSAs"), which was added to the Code by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 ("ACA").

  • PwC's 2012 Health and well-being touchstone survey executive summary

    5/30/12 | Human resource services

    PwC is pleased to announce the availability of our 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone survey. The 2012 survey data contains detailed benefits information provided by approximately 1400 participating companies in 34 different industries across the nation.

  • Making executive pay work: The psychology of incentives

    5/9/12 | Human resource services

    This PwC global study discusses the impact of pay and incentives on senior executives and asks "How do senior executives value their reward packages?"

  • Potential Accounting Implications of Upcoming Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act

    5/3/12 | Human resource services

    The Supreme Court heard arguments concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March. A decision is expected to be released sometime before the Court recesses on June 30. Management and boards of directors may wish to consider potential implications (and possible impact on and strategies of providing health care benefits) in advance of the Supreme Court's ruling, as the time to address such changes in the June 30 reporting period may be short. This HRS insight highlights some of the key areas that could be affected.

  • Increased IRS scrutiny of executive compensation and common errors under Code sections 409A and 162(m)

    3/19/12 | Human resource services

    Executive compensation has come under increasing scrutiny in the media, by institutional shareholder groups, regulatory agencies, such as the IRS and SEC, and Congress. In this climate of increased transparency and disclosure, the IRS has stepped up its audit activity.

  • Administration issues final rules on PPACA summary of benefits and coverage

    2/15/12 | Human resource services

    The Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services have released final rules regarding the summary of benefits and coverage required to be provided by health insurance issuers and group health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA"). For more, read this edition of HRS insight.

  • Preparing for participant-level fee disclosures

    2/6/12 | Human resource services

    On October 20, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") released a new regulation requiring ERISA plan sponsors to provide for more comprehensive participant-level fee disclosures. Although the party responsible for complying with the new DOL Regulation is plan sponsors, plan recordkeepers and financial institutions associated with plans' investment options should be prepared to provide assistance so that the required information is available for plan sponsors to satisfy the disclosure requirements mandated by the DOL Regulation.

  • IRS Provides Guidance on Mandatory Reporting of the Value of Health Coverage on 2012 Forms W-2

    1/12/12 | Human resource services

    The IRS has provided guidance on reporting the value of employer-provided health care, which will be required to be provided to employees for the first time on 2012 Forms W-2, generally required to be furnished to employees by the end of January 2013. All employers are generally required to report, but the IRS has provided some exemptions. PwC explains how such employers are not required to report the value of employer-provided health care for 2012 in this edition of HRS insight.

  • New disclosures for multiemployer pension plans will be required this year

    10/23/11 | Human resource services

    Responding to concerns regarding the poor funding levels of many defined benefit multiemployer pension plans, as well as the lack of information on these plans in financial filings, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently issued a final standard significantly revising the disclosure requirements for participating employers. HRS insight discusses how the new disclosures will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2011 for public entities, with a one year deferral for non-public entities.

  • Accounting for Pension Buy-In Arrangements

    6/29/11 | Human resource services

    The first pension "buy-in" contract was recently purchased by a U.S. pension plan. This buy-in arrangement is similar to a traditional non-participating annuity (a "buy-out"), where a plan transfers future responsibility for promised employee retirement benefits to an insurance company. Under the buy-in arrangement, however, the benefit obligation is not transferred to the insurer. Instead, the plan remains responsible for paying the benefits, but purchases a contract from the insurer which generates returns designed to equal all future benefits payments to covered participants.

  • IFRS and US GAAP - Similarities and differences related to accounting for compensation and benefit arrangements

    10/28/10 | Human resource services

    IFRS and US GAAP continue to move towards convergence. The SEC expects to make a determination in 2011 regarding incorporating IFRS into the financial reporting system for US domestic issuers. This HRS insight highlights the similarities and differences between IFRS and US GAAP related to accounting for compensation and benefit arrangements.