Finance & Banking, Labor & Employment Law, Family Law

Employment And Labor Law Alert: Minnesota's Same-Sex Marriage Law: Effects On Employers

by Angela Bohmann, Jewelie Grape, Christina Sans | Leonard, Street and Deinard on 5/20/2013

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Governor Dayton signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota (H.F. 1054 and S.F. 925), effective August 1, 2013....more

Pension Changes Proposed in Ontario Budget

by Mark Newton, Evan Van Dyk | Heenan Blaikie LLP on 5/9/2013

On May 2, 2013, the Liberal government in Ontario released its proposed budget. While the NDP has not yet lent the proposed budget support in order to ensure its passage, the Heenan Blaikie Pensions, Benefits and Compensation...more

Ontario Budget 2013 – More Pension Reform to Come

by Lesha Van Der Bij | Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 5/3/2013

In today’s budget, the Ontario government announced that it is continuing with its pension reform agenda, but it is not all “old news”. Perhaps of most interest to employers and plan administrators will be the government’s...more

Do Not Delay Getting Your QDRO

by Angela Bohmann | Leonard, Street and Deinard - Employee... on 5/1/2013

Employers know that benefits under a retirement plan can be split between a participant and a former spouse in the event of a divorce under the terms of a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). A domestic relations order...more

Employers Should Review How Plan Documents Define Spouse in Light of Recent Benefits Litigation

by Lisa Loesel, Jacob Mattinson, Todd Solomon, Brian Tiemann | McDermott Will & Emery on 4/30/2013

Two recent cases challenging benefit eligibility for same-sex spouses highlight the need for employer-sponsored retirement and welfare plans to clearly define "spouse" for eligibility purposes. Employers may want to review...more

Carrigan Case: Supreme Court of Canada Dismisses Leave to Appeal

by Douglas Rienzo | Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 3/29/2013

This morning, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the application for leave to appeal in Carrigan v. Carrigan Estate. As a result, the Ontario Court of Appeal’s new interpretation of the priority scheme for the payment of...more

Domestic Partner and Same-Sex Marriage Laws: Approval of Washington Marriage Equality Act and Impact on Employee Benefits

by Richard Birmingham, Dipa N. Sudra | Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 11/13/2012

On Nov. 6, 2012, Washington voters approved same-sex marriage in Washington state. This advisory explains the impact of this new law on employee benefit plans and procedures, and revisits the treatment of employee benefits...more

No Divorce from Spouse #1? Common Law Spouse #2 Not Entitled to Pre-Retirement Death Benefits

by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 11/2/2012

In the recent case of Carrigan v. Carrigan Estate, the Ontario Court of Appeal has effectively re-written the law on pre-retirement death benefits under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (the PBA)....more

Benefits Litigation Update - September 2012 .

by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. on 9/10/2012

We are pleased to present the second edition of the Benefits Litigation Update, a joint project of Epstein Becker Green ("EBG") and ERIC (The ERISA Industry Committee). With an increase in litigation related to the provision...more

Division of Pensions on Marriage Breakdown: New Rules

by Dentons on 8/3/2012

Significant changes came into effect on January 1, 2012, regarding the treatment of pension benefits of Ontario members who go through a breakdown of their spousal relationships. The new regime is a big improvement over the...more

NJ State Library Help Site

by Fein, Such, Kahn & Shepard, P.C. on 10/6/2011

Everyone knows that times are tough right now - but what you may not know are NJ state resources that might be able to help a friend or family member who is struggling at this time. Jim Shepard, Esq. kindly brought to my...more

Ten Planning Issues to Prepare a Business for Sale

by Ronald Adams on 7/13/2011

The following ten planning issues will help prepare the business for sale and reduce unanticipated problems that may arise when a prospective buyer begins investigating the business for possible purchase. Regardless of...more

Impact of Illinois Civil Union Law on Plans Maintained by Religious Organizations

by McDermott Will & Emery on 5/6/2011

Illinois recently made news when it legalized civil unions beginning June 1, 2011. Because civil union partners will have the same rights as spouses under state law, many religious organizations’ benefit plans could be...more