This course is a part of the program leading to:
Master of Science in Legal Studies
Master of Science in Compliance Law
Master of Science in Taxation

Required Prerequisite:
LGL-504: Contracts

This course will survey the main components of employee retirement and benefit planning. By providing an overview of the framework of such plans, students will learn the basic tax, regulatory and business aspects that affect retirement and benefit plans as well as participants’ rights under such plans. We will also review important policy and ethical implications for benefit planning. The course will also discuss other types of employee benefit plans, such as health and welfare plans and executive compensation plans. The largest part of the course is devoted to an examination of the various employee benefits and retirement plans. For each plan or benefit, the course outlines what the benefit is, when and how it should be used, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:

• Discuss the technical aspects of various types of employee benefits, retirement plans, pension plans, life insurance plans, health insurance plans, as well as the general planning process.
• Recognize qualified retirement plans, annuity plans, individual retirement accounts, health insurance and reimbursement plans, fringe benefits, and group life insurance.
• Identify and understand tax and accounting treatment of compensation and benefit plans.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the types of compensation programs.
• Discuss the purpose and application of key federal legislative programs, including Social Security and ERISA.
• Develop an integrated framework for analyzing benefits in the workplace and the variety of retirement plans available in the marketplace.
• Critically assess the structure of employee benefit plans.