1. What are some of the legal and regulatory influences on discretionary benefits?

2. Give a brief overview of the main provisions of HIPAA.

3. Discuss the two forms of employer-sponsored disability coverage. Analyze the potential advantages of each for the employee and for the employer.

4. Your company's CEO is interested in implementing a new dental plan for employees and has asked you to do some research. The CEO wants you to report back to him in 3 weeks with the following information: What are the three main types of dental care plans? Discuss each plan and make a recommendation for your company.

5. Discuss the various FASB rulings associated with retiree health insurance.

6. You have recently been hired as an employee benefit consultant and have been asked to recommend the establishment of either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Given the following employer objectives, which type of plan would you recommend? Specify the type of retirement plan you would recommend. Explain how your recommendation would handle the employer's objectives.

7. Discuss the concept of "good business sense" of benefits communication and the primary objectives of an organization's benefits communication program.

8. Family assistance programs help employees with caring for loved ones, both young and old. Briefly describe the three types of family assistance programs and their benefits.