Electronic Form 5500 filing rules may spark pension plan terminations

The U.S. Labor Department has refused requests for exceptions to its rule requiring all businesses with a pension plan and/or a 401(k) to file certain forms electronically, according to a pension consultant, who warns that plan sponsors may choose to terminate their existing plans.  Read Story

Florida insurance agency employee accused of stealing premium payments

A customer service representative for a Davenport, Fla., independent agency was arrested after an investigation found that he had stolen insurance premium payments.  Read Story

Willis CEO says firm ‘not going back’ to contingent commissions

With New York regulators unveiling a new broker compensation disclosure rule promoting greater openness in transactions, the head of Willis Group Holdings said the move is not “true transparency.”  Read Story

Biden, Ill. congressman differ on bipartisan nature of health reform

Setting the stage for a Feb. 25 bipartisan summit on the future of health care, the Obama Administration echoed its drive for unified, comprehensive reform, while at least one Republican says Democrats continue to move forward without his party’s input.  Read Story

MetLife has announced its new Dental Health Manager, a proprietary dental disease management program providing participants with educational content and personalized report cards on their risk for oral disease and dental health.  Read Story

Government puts plans for new mental health parity rules on paper

The U.S. government has published proposed new rules on mental health insurance parity that would prohibit health insurance plans from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than other treatments.  Read Story

WellPoint cuts employee stock grants

National health insurer WellPoint, parent company of Anthem, is cutting stock grants to employees to control costs as it prepares for lower earnings this year.  Read Story

MIA awarded grant to aid with forensic investigations

The fraud division of the Maryland Insurance Administration recently received a $7,500 grant from a regional group to further investigate claims linked to abandoned or burned automobiles.  Read Story

Regional life insurer inks deal for new illustration program

Grange Life Insurance Co. has reached an agreement with iPipline to use the software company’s Illustration Suite for life and annuity illustrations.  Read Story

N.Y. senator wants to get tough on auto insurance fraud

Citing rising fraud and rising insurance costs in his home state, New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer is proposing a bill to impose federal penalties against those who commit auto insurance fraud.  Read Story