DOL

Federal report examines, urges updates of federal programs’ asset and income limits to assist economic health of Americans with disabilities

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
National Council, National Council on Disability, Affordable Care Act, ACA, Public policy, Supplement, Health, Disability discrimination act, AJC Transatlantic Institute, Medicare, Congress, MBI, Legislation, Disability, NCD, Workforce, Impact, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Social, ABLE, SSI, DOL, ADA, Sidemen (YouTube group), Employment, Confusion, Poverty, Retirement, AT, CIE, Social Security Administration, SSA, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, Insurance, Health insurance, Rare-earth element, Ridesharing, Life insurance, Medicaid

The 2023 report, Toward Economic Security: The Impact of Income and Asset Limits on People with Disabilities comprehensively examines the impact of asset limits in government-sponsored social safety net programs – some of which haven’t been updated in over 30 years -- on the economic self-sufficiency and financial independence of people with disabilities. Asset limits can prevent lower-income people from building savings and exercising financial autonomy without risking loss of access to necessary public assistance programs.

Key Points: 
  • Asset limits can prevent lower-income people from building savings and exercising financial autonomy without risking loss of access to necessary public assistance programs.
  • “Federal disability policies should be about helping people live independently, get to work, and get out of poverty.
  • The current asset and income limits ensure the opposite.”
    The report examines the implications of asset limits in four areas of public policy – health care, cash benefits provided through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), employment, and asset building and wealth protection.
  • “Current asset and income limits put goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act at odds with each other – independent living at the cost of economic self-sufficiency,” said NCD Chairman Andrés Gallegos.

CFP Board Issues Statement on Support for Release of Proposed DOL Fiduciary Rule

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, United States Department of Labor, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, DOL, U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Security, Egg, CFP, Retirement, ERISA, Financial adviser

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from CFP Board commending the public release of the Department of Labor's (DOL's) proposed rule to protect Americans from conflicts of interest when financial professionals provide retirement investment advice:

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from CFP Board commending the public release of the Department of Labor's (DOL's) proposed rule to protect Americans from conflicts of interest when financial professionals provide retirement investment advice:
    "CFP Board welcomes the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed retirement security rule intended to protect Americans from the harmful effects of conflicts of interest when financial professionals provide retirement investment advice.
  • We celebrate the work of the advisors who seek to do what is best for their customers.
  • This proposed rule is an important step forward toward improving the retirement security of all Americans.
  • CFP Board will carefully review the details of the proposed rule and assess its effectiveness so that all financial professionals who provide retirement investment advice are required to put the best interests of their clients first.

NAIFA CEO Represents Advisors and the Consumers They Serve in Meeting With Administration Officials on DOL's Fiduciary Proposal

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Congress, Security (finance), New York State Department of Labor, Mayeux, Environmental policy of the Joe Biden administration, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Code of ethics in media, CAE, Administration, National Association, Reg, American Insurance Association, White House, Deposit Insurance Agency of Russia, White House Council on Women and Girls, Management, NAIC, Black, Adviser, National African American Gun Association, DOL, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Confusion, Ethics, OMB, OIRA, Office of Management and Budget, Financial adviser, Insurance

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Kevin Mayeux, CAE, CEO of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), told the Biden Administration in a meeting that the Department of Labor's (DOL's) current efforts to revive a fiduciary-only regulation for financial professionals is unnecessary and likely to harm low- and middle-income consumers.

Key Points: 
  • "NAIFA regularly meets with Administration officials to discuss issues important to financial professionals and the consumers NAIFA members serve," Mayeux said.
  • "NAIFA members work in their clients' interests because it's the right thing to do and because it's good business.
  • Additional action by the DOL at this time would create confusion for advisors and consumers without providing meaningful consumer protections.
  • "NAIFA will continue to work with the Administration and members of Congress on behalf of financial professionals and the consumers who depend on them to oppose an unnecessary and potentially harmful DOL Fiduciary Rule."

FTC, Department of Labor Partner to Protect Workers from Anticompetitive, Unfair, and Deceptive Practices

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Workforce, Department, Prudential Securities, Partnership, Employment, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, National Labor Relations Board, Federal Trade Commission, Commission, Policy, Uber, Ardagh Group, New York State Department of Labor, DOL, Social media, Competition, 7-Eleven, FTC, MOU, DaVita Inc., HomeAdvisor, Glass, Prudential, Research, Fraud, News, Financial adviser, Dietary supplement, Amazon, Burgerim
Key Points: 

FTC, Department of Labor Partner to Protect Workers from Anticompetitive, Unfair, and Deceptive Practices

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Workforce, Department, Prudential Securities, Partnership, Employment, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, National Labor Relations Board, Federal Trade Commission, Commission, Policy, Uber, Ardagh Group, New York State Department of Labor, DOL, Social media, Competition, 7-Eleven, FTC, MOU, DaVita Inc., HomeAdvisor, Glass, Prudential, Research, Fraud, News, Financial adviser, Dietary supplement, Amazon, Burgerim

“This agreement with the Department of Labor is part of our whole-of-government effort to protect workers from unlawful business practices,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.

Key Points: 
  • “This agreement with the Department of Labor is part of our whole-of-government effort to protect workers from unlawful business practices,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.
  • The agreement is part of a broader FTC initiative to use the agency’s full authority, including enforcement actions and Commission rulemaking, to protect workers.
  • The FTC has made it a priority to scrutinize mergers that may harm competition in U.S. labor markets.
  • The FTC has also prioritized cracking down on anticompetitive contract terms that put workers at a disadvantage.
  • The Commission is considering a proposed rule that would ban noncompete clauses in employment contracts, and has taken action to protect workers in several Commission orders.

FTC, Department of Labor Partner to Protect Workers from Anticompetitive, Unfair, and Deceptive Practices

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Workforce, Department, Prudential Securities, Partnership, Employment, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, National Labor Relations Board, Federal Trade Commission, Commission, Policy, Uber, Ardagh Group, New York State Department of Labor, DOL, Social media, Competition, 7-Eleven, FTC, MOU, DaVita Inc., HomeAdvisor, Glass, Prudential, Research, Fraud, News, Financial adviser, Dietary supplement, Amazon, Burgerim

“This agreement with the Department of Labor is part of our whole-of-government effort to protect workers from unlawful business practices,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.

Key Points: 
  • “This agreement with the Department of Labor is part of our whole-of-government effort to protect workers from unlawful business practices,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.
  • The agreement is part of a broader FTC initiative to use the agency’s full authority, including enforcement actions and Commission rulemaking, to protect workers.
  • The FTC has made it a priority to scrutinize mergers that may harm competition in U.S. labor markets.
  • The FTC has also prioritized cracking down on anticompetitive contract terms that put workers at a disadvantage.
  • The Commission is considering a proposed rule that would ban noncompete clauses in employment contracts, and has taken action to protect workers in several Commission orders.

Maine Department of Labor to Announce the Launch of University of Maine at Augusta Cybersecurity and IT Registered Apprenticeship Program

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023
Workforce, RA, University, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Education, Maine Department of Corrections, Multimedia, DOL, Organization, USDOL, US, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, State, Human resources, UMA, Safal, University of Maine at Augusta, Augusta, Registered apprenticeship, AJC, ROI, Nursing, Management, Financial adviser

HOUSTON, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 28th from 1-3pm ET, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and its Commissioner, Laura Fortman, will announce the launch of the University of Maine at Augusta's (UMA) cybersecurity and IT registered apprenticeship (RA) program during an event hosted on the UMA campus.

Key Points: 
  • HOUSTON, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 28th from 1-3pm ET, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and its Commissioner, Laura Fortman, will announce the launch of the University of Maine at Augusta's (UMA) cybersecurity and IT registered apprenticeship (RA) program during an event hosted on the UMA campus.
  • A panel of subject matter experts from Safal Partners, the US DOL National Industry Intermediary for cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion, and current Maine employers will discuss promising practices when using apprenticeship as a workforce development model.
  • Registered Apprenticeship is a proven, financially positive model for workforce development.
  • Dr. Wendy Kostenbauder, Program Manager with MDOL's Maine Apprenticeship Program, commented, "Joining UMA's RA program gives Maine's businesses the opportunity to become an employer of choice offering training to their employees in these new and essential occupations.

CONTINUED INVESTIGATION ALERT REMINDER: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates Blackstone Inc.’s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties – BX

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Law, Blackstone, PSSI, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, BX, DOL, NYSE, Blackstone Inc., Judgement, Management

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues to investigate whether certain directors and officers of Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone” or “Company”) (NYSE: BX) breached their fiduciary duties to Blackstone and its shareholders.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues to investigate whether certain directors and officers of Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone” or “Company”) (NYSE: BX) breached their fiduciary duties to Blackstone and its shareholders.
  • If you are a Blackstone shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982, or [email protected] .
  • Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of Blackstone’s board of directors or senior management failed to manage Blackstone in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Blackstone, and whether Blackstone and its shareholders suffered damages as a result.
  • If you are a Blackstone shareholder, you may have legal claims against Blackstone’s directors and officers.

Employee Fiduciary Submits Comment Letter to U.S. Department of Labor Advocating for Greater 401(k) Fee Transparency

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Third-party administrator, Privacy Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Request, CPC, Disclosure, RFI, DOL, QPA, Administration, GAO, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Retirement, Comment, Knowledge, TPA, Letter, Financial adviser

The letter was written by Employee Fiduciary's President and CEO, Eric Droblyen, CPC, QPA.

Key Points: 
  • The letter was written by Employee Fiduciary's President and CEO, Eric Droblyen, CPC, QPA.
  • It addresses several key areas of concern, with a primary focus on the need for enhanced clarity and transparency in how 401(k) fees are presented to participants.
  • "We firmly believe in 401(k) fee transparency and the imperative need for participants to clearly understand the implications of these fees.
  • To read a copy of the comment letter and gain further insight into Employee Fiduciary's perspective on 401(k) fee transparency, visit www.employeefiduciary.com/blog/dol-401k-fee-disclosure-feedback .

CONTINUED INVESTIGATION ALERT REMINDER: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates Blackstone Inc.’s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties – BX

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023
Law, Blackstone, PSSI, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, BX, DOL, NYSE, Blackstone Inc., Judgement, Management

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues to investigate whether certain directors and officers of Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone” or “Company”) (NYSE: BX) breached their fiduciary duties to Blackstone and its shareholders.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues to investigate whether certain directors and officers of Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone” or “Company”) (NYSE: BX) breached their fiduciary duties to Blackstone and its shareholders.
  • If you are a Blackstone shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982, or [email protected] .
  • Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of Blackstone’s board of directors or senior management failed to manage Blackstone in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Blackstone, and whether Blackstone and its shareholders suffered damages as a result.
  • If you are a Blackstone shareholder, you may have legal claims against Blackstone’s directors and officers.