This CLE webinar will provide counsel to employers in multi-employer pension plans with an overview of factors to consider when determining contribution obligations under the PPA and contemplating withdrawal from the plans. The panel will outline best practices to evaluate plan status and minimize potential risks.

For more information or to register for this event, please follow this link.

Description

Multi-employer pension plans are losing their appeal with employers. Many employers are seeking less risky retirement fund models due to the challenges of funding a defined benefit pension plan and fear that participating employers will fail to make required contributions.

Employers participating in multi-employer pension plans must cope with recent devastating investment results and increased contribution obligations under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). Employers considering withdrawing from the plans face potential withdrawal liability.

Many funds are actively auditing employers, resulting in additional contribution obligations. The Financial Accounting Standards Board has proposed increased disclosures of potential multi-employer liabilities, which would impact an employer's credit rating, ability to borrow, and stock price.

Listen as our panel of attorneys experienced in dealing with multi-employer pension plans explains recent developments impacting the plans and factors employers should consider when determining their contribution obligations under the PPA and when contemplating withdrawal from the plans. The panel will offer strategies for evaluating plan status and minimizing potential risks and liabilities.

Benefits

• What new liabilities do employers participating in multi-employer pension plans now face?
• How does the Pension Protection Act (PPA) interact with the expiration dates of collective bargaining agreements?
• How can employers develop collective bargaining strategies to deal with risks imposed by the PPA?
• How should employers respond to a critical status/surcharge notice from a multi-employer pension plan?

Following the speaker presentations, you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your specific questions during the interactive Q&A.

Faculty

James P. McElligott, Partner
McGuireWoods, Richmond, Va.
He handles employment, executive compensation and benefit related matters for corporations and public agencies. He regularly advises employers on ERISA and denial of benefit issues.

Charles B. Wolf, Shareholder
Vedder Price, Chicago
He focuses on labor, employment and employee benefits law and litigation, representing employers and multiemployer funds. He has extensive experience in all aspects of employee benefit plan design and administration, executive compensation, collective bargaining, NLRB and arbitration proceedings, employment discrimination cases, wrongful discharge cases and general labor and employment matters.

Michael A. Alaimo, Principal
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, Detroit
He represents a variety of companies in pension and welfare benefit litigation, including denial of benefits claims, retiree health benefits and ERISA discrimination claims. Formerly an attorney with the Solicitor of Labor’s Office in the U.S. Department of Labor, he is a frequent lecturer on subjects relating to labor and employment law, including wage and hour and employee benefits questions.

For more information or to register for this event, please follow this link.

A live 90-minute CLE interactive Webinar/Teleconference with interactive Q&A
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. EST, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. PST