Electronic Distribution of SPDs and other Participant Communications	Back to entire listing
	As e-mail, IM, and Twitter become the norm, and with "green" being the color of the day, benefit plan sponsors and administrators are naturally interested in meeting their participant communication obligations via electronic means. Unfortunately, the applicable statutes and regulations have not kept up with reality. In fact, for many participants and beneficiaries, it is still easier to send pieces of paper than to jump through the hoops needed to allow for electronic dissemination of SPDs, forms, and notices. We'll address the current IRS and Department of Labor guidance in this area, with practical suggestions on how to minimize the amount of paper used in plan administration.
	"The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit."
	Presenters:
	Julia M. Vander Weele, Partner - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP Julia Vander Weele, a partner with Spencer Fane, practices in the firm's Employee Benefits Group. She is also a member of the ERISA Litigation Group. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, Julia worked as in-house counsel for Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, where she managed ERISA litigation and advised senior management on other ERISA issues related to group disability, life, and dental products. She was also a Judicial Law Clerk for the 7th Judicial District of Iowa. Julia's practice focuses on ERISA and other laws governing employee benefits, including matters affecting pension, profit sharing, 401(k), cafeteria plans, and welfare plans. She has had significant experience providing employer training on HIPAA and ERISA issues, and has had substantial involvement in matters dealing with retiree health coverage and bankruptcy..
	David Y. Stevens, Associate - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP David is a member of Spencer Fane's Employee Benefits Group. He received his juris doctor, summa cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Indiana Law Journal. David received his bachelor degrees in English and Humanities with high distinction from the University of Kansas. Before joining Spencer Fane, David served as law clerk to the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Before law school, David had a variety of experiences in the public and private sectors. David served 2 years at the White House as Assistant to the General Counsel of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. After leaving the White House, David worked as a technology industry analyst for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, a business development executive at an educational technology start-up company in Chicago, and as a floor broker in the Fed Funds pit at the Chicago Board of Trade.