No disrespect intended to the attorneys for beginning this post with a cartoon from the creative mind of Terry Hart, a/k/a, Hartboy. Rather, it’s intended as an excellent visual metaphor for my takeaway from the recent article written by our friend (and attorney) Andy Williams on his Benefits Law Group of Chicago website. 

Andy writes What a Difference a “P” Makes: Hairsplitting Decision Denies Disability Claim. You can delve the details about the outcome of an ERISA case hinged on the difference (not a distinction) between whether a plan provision applied to a “Period of Disability” rather than just “periods of Disability.”

But here’s the takeaway to which I referred above which is very relevant as the EGTRRA restatement deadline is just a few short months away for most retirement plans. (See

Read more…

General Motors (GM) has said chief executive Ed Whitacre will get an annual salary of $1.7m (£1.1m), plus $7.3m in shares at a later date.

The pay package was approved by the US Treasury, which spent billions of dollars bailing out the carmaker last year and now owns a large stake in it.

GM also said Mr Whitacre’s predecessor, Fritz Henderson, is being paid $59,090 a month as an adviser.

Mr Whitacre took over as interim chief executive in December last year.

Last month, he was officially confirmed in the position on a permanent basis. He is also chairman of GM.

Read more…

On occasion, you may have the opportunity to speak with the press on behalf of your business. An interview can give your company a boost in public exposure and even increase revenues. To take full advantage of a press opportunity, it is important that you practice preparing for a media interview.

There are many positive occasions or situations which may prompt a media interview. You may receive a call from the press for the following:

• Your recent press release about a new product
• Your company was involved with a positive public service
• You are considered an expert in your field
• Your company just celebrated a key anniversary

There could be negative instances for press calls as well, such as a public customer complaint about your business, legal action against your company, etc.

Read more…

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games are more than just gratuitous displays of nationalism. They’re also the most watched fashion shows in the world. The theatrics of these multi-hour spectacles have much in common with high-fashion runway shows, and the ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will have the couture to match.

Canadian-born designer twins Dean and Dan Caten, the founders of Milan-based Dsquared², were named official costume designers by the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee last year, and are outfitting the performers for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games this month. Wh

Read more…

Japanese carmaker Toyota is facing a new US investigation into complaints of steering problems in its Corolla model.

The investigation is expected to be opened on Thursday and will involve an estimated 500,000 vehicles.

It is already facing an investigation into whether it was quick enough in recalling cars over problems involving accelerator and braking systems.

Toyota said on Wednesday that it was looking into complaints of power steering problems with the Corolla.

Read more…