Chapter 12

Life insurance is one of the least common, but most popular voluntary benefits an employer can offer. (T/F)

False

To be eligible for Social Security, employees must be employed for a minimum of 80 quarters or 20 years of work. (T/F)

False

A benefits program in which employees are permitted to pick benefits that most meet their needs.

Flexible Benefits

_________ is a program whereby employees are presented with a menu of benefits and asked to select, within monetary limits imposed, the benefits they desire.

Flexible Benefits

Organization that requires using specific physicians and health-care facilities to contain the rising costs of health care.

PPO

A recent survey found that as many as 70 percent of American workers didn't take all of their vacation time. (T/F)

True

Health insurance and retirement plans are examples of voluntary benefits. (T/F)

True

When the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation takes over an underfunded pension plan, if there aren't enough assets in the pension plan to pay the retirement obligations, then taxpayers will make up the difference. (T/F)

True

The type of insurance that covers employees lives in the event of death while traveling on company time is _________. a) travel insurance b) group term life insurance c) mobile insurance d) disability insurance e) unemployment insurance

a) travel insurance

Mustafa, a 40-year old accountant, works for a large manufacturing firm. Mustafa's wife, Ana, paid nothing for the authorized baby immunizations for their children, Amy and Louise. Amy and Louise receive well-child pediatric care for $5 per visit. When Amy broke her leg last spring, all expenses were covered. Mustafa wants to switch coverage, because his family has to go to the Northside Clinic for all of their nonemergency care and that he has to pay 100% for surgery that was not preauthorized. What kind of health insurance does Mustafa have? a) Traditional b) HMO c) PPO d) HIPPA e) COBRA

b) HMO

Last year Rebecca set aside $5000 pretax dollars for child care in a flexible spending account. She only used $3200. What happened to the remaining $1800? a) She received a lump sum payment of $1800 in her first January paycheck. b) It reverted to her employer. c) She had to pay taxes on the amount before it was added back to her income. d) She transferred it to her medical care account. e) It stays in the account to be used this year, a rollover.

b) It reverted to her employer.

Why do organizations offer domestic partner benefits? a) Maid service frees up employee time for more recreational activities. b) Living arrangements and family definition differ today from those in any other time in our history. c) Companies are legally required to do so. d) Health care benefits are an inexpensive way to recruit good workers. e) Global standards require it.

b) Living arrangements and family definition differ today from those in any other time in our history.

Which of the following expanded the availability and regulation of health insurance coverage, making changes in how health insurance is provided and paid for? a) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) b) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act c) Worker's compensation d) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) e) Social Security

b) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Unemployment compensation laws provide benefits to those meeting the following conditions EXCEPT a) individuals are without a job due to layoffs. b) individuals are without a job due to discharges for gross misconduct. c) individuals have applied to their state employment agency for unemployment compensation. d) individuals have registered for available work. e) individuals are willing and able to accept any suitable employment offered through their state unemployment compensation commission.

b) individuals are without a job due to discharges for gross misconduct.

Raj, director of benefits for a major manufacturing firm, wants to save costs by moving to a cafeteria plan of flexible benefits. Advise him, as you would if you were an HR benefits expert. a) Don't do it. You won't really save any money. b) Offer flexible spending accounts for child care and medical expenses. c) Make sure that employees are able to select exactly what they had before with no additional out of pocket expenses. d) Offer free desserts in the cafeteria at least one day a week. e) Let employees choose from a variety of no more than 20 options. Increase their out of pocket expenditures by no more than 7% a year.

c) Make sure that employees are able to select exactly what they had before with no additional out of pocket expenses.

Vinita, a nurse, broke her hand tending a patient. She has used up her annual sick leave and will be unable to work for six more weeks. She is receiving pay for her time not worked through which benefit plan? a) Employee assistance b) Worker's replacement c) Short-term disability d) Company sick leave e) Long-term disability

c) Short-term disability

Which legally required benefit is paid for by the employer and the employee? a) Unemployment compensation b) Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) c) Social Security d) The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) e) Worker's compensation

c) Social Security

Employee benefits mandated by law.

Legally Required Benefits

The ________ of flexible benefits is a system whereby employees choose a predesigned package of benefits.

Modular Plan

The __________ provides for continued employee benefits up to three years after an employee leaves a job.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Combines a health plan with a high deductible with a health savings account that the insured uses to pay for deductibles and medical care.

Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)

A __________ is a retirement program that pays retiring employees a fixed retirement income based on average earnings over a period of time.

Defined Benefit Plan

A retirement plan pays retiring employees a fixed retirement income based on average earnings over a period of time.

Defined Benefit Plan

A type of retirement program whereby each employee has an individual account to which both the employee and the employer may make contributions.

Defined Contribution Plan

Benefits offered to an employee's "live-in" partner.

Domestic Partner Benefits

Law passed in 1974 designed to protect employee retirement benefits.

ERISA

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation lays claim to an organization's assets to fund pension programs under ___________.

ERISA

Membership-based, nonfinancial rewards offered to attract and keep employees.

Employee Benefits

A preferred provider organization provides for continued employee benefits up to three years after an employee leaves a job. (T/F)

False

A retirement program that pays retiring employees a fixed retirement income based on average earning over a period of time is a defined contribution plan. (T/F)

False

Employee insurance that provides some income continuation in the event an employee is laid off is called worker's compensation. (T/F)

False

Flexible benefit plans, although more expensive to the organization, provide more choice to the workforce. (T/F)

False

Fortunately, the cost of employee benefits to organizations has remained stable over the last thirty years. (T/F)

False

U.S. workers have, on average, 10 days of vacation per year. (T/F)

False

Unemployment compensation and workers' compensation are examples of voluntary benefits. (T/F)

False

With a flexible spending account, an employee will take home less spendable pay. (T/F)

False

The __________ requires organizations with 50 or more employees to provide eligible employees the opportunity to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for family or medical reasons.

Family and Medical Leave Act

Allows employees to set aside money before payroll taxes to pay health-care or dependent care.

Flexible Spending Accounts

__________ is one of the most important benefits for employees because of the tremendous increases in cost.

Health Insurance

A __________ provides comprehensive health services for a flat fee.

Health Maintenance Organization

Provides comprehensive health services for a flat fee.

Health Maintenance Organization

Employees in Japan have 10 paid vacation mandated days. (T/F)

True

Employee insurance which provides some income continuation in the event an employee is laid off.

Unemployment Compensation

Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, paid by the government to aged, former members of the labor force, the disabled, or their survivors.

Social Security

_________ provides some health insurance coverage through the federal Medicare program.

Social Security

An ERISA requirement of explaining to employees their pension program and rights.

Summary Plan Description

Employee insurance which provides some income continuation in the event an employee is injured on the job.

Workers' compensation

Jose, a 40-year old accountant, works for a large manufacturing firm. Jose says it is well worth the more than $500 monthly premium to have his choice of physicians and locations. All of their physicians have agreed to accept payment of Usual, Customary, and Reasonable fees. What kind of health insurance does Jose have? a) Traditional b) HMO c) PPO d) COBRA e) HIPPA

a) Traditional

Which of the following pieces of legislation provides for continued employee benefits up to three years after an employee leaves a job? a) COBRA b) HMO c) HIPAA d) ERISA e) PPO

a) COBRA

What is the advantage to an employer who offers an employee assistance program? a) Decreased turnover and absenteeism b) Lower insurance premiums c) Support of the organizational strategy and employee development d) Increased incentives that make recruitment easier e) Less time off work for illness and on-the-job injuries

a) Decreased turnover and absenteeism

Which of the following is a retirement program that pays retiring employees a fixed retirement income based on average earnings over a period of time? a) Defined benefit plan b) Keogh plan c) Defined contribution plan d) IRA plan e) Roth IRA plan

a) Defined benefit plan

Which of the following is NOT a legally required benefit? a) Health insurance b) Social Security c) Unemployment compensation d) Workers' compensation e) Unpaid family and medical leave

a) Health insurance

Andre, a pizza maker, fell against an oven and injured his hand. His company was reluctant to file a workers' compensation report for this injury. Why? a) Insurance rates are computed based on the organization's accident experience. b) Workers' compensation is designed to provide income for employees who are between jobs, not for injuries. c) Hand injuries are not covered under this legislation. d) Workers' compensation benefits are paid to surviving relatives. John did not die. e) John's company self-insured with a private company.

a) Insurance rates are computed based on the organization's accident experience.

Today, benefit and service offerings add nearly _________ to an organization payroll costs. a) 20% b) 30% c) 40% d) 50% e) 60%

b) 30%

All of the following statements about workers' compensation are accurate EXCEPT: a) Workers' compensation is counted as part of labor expenses due to the accountability factor. b) Cost of workers' compensation is shared between the employee and the employer. c) Workers' compensation benefits are based on fixed schedules of minimum and maximum payments. d) Some states allow employers to self-insure for workers' compensation. e) Some states provide a required insurance system for handling workers' compensation.

b) Cost of workers' compensation is shared between the employee and the employer.

U.S. workers enjoy on average _______ days of vacation each year. a) 5 b) 10 c) 15 d) 20 e) 25

c) 15

Which of the following piece of legislation ensures confidentiality of employee health information? a) COBRA b) HMO c) HIPAA d) ERISA e) PPO

c) HIPAA

Which of the following is the organization that lays claim to corporate assets to pay or fund inadequate pension programs? a) SPD b) HIPAA c) PBGC d) IRA e) ERISA

c) PBGC

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Social Security? a) Social Security provides a source of income for American retirees, disabled workers, and surviving dependents of workers who have died. b) Social Security provides some health insurance coverage through the federal Medicare program. c) Social Security is financed only by the employer contributions. d) To be eligible for Social Security, employees must be employed for a minimum of 40 quarters. e) Social Security benefits vary based on the previous year's inflation, additional earnings, and recipient age.

c) Social Security is financed only by the employer contributions.

Donna, a 45-year-old bank manager, is married to Darren, a 40-year-old economist with a real estate development firm. They currently waive all optional portions of Donna's retirement package. Darren received a letter from his employer stating that the firm is changing retirement and benefits plans the first of the year. How can they determine which of their company pension retirement benefits plans should be changed or kept? a) Social Security Administration Review b) COBRA c) Summary Plan Description d) HIPAA e) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Publications

c) Summary Plan Description

A large publishing house decided to voluntarily terminate its pension program. What protection do its employees and retirees have? a) If the firm is located in California, such action is illegal. b) The SPD will supply 90% of accrued pension benefits until all recipients are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. c) The PBGC will lay claim of up to 30% of the corporation's assets to pay benefits that have been promised to employees. d) There is no protection for employees. e) COBRA will cover 30% of the benefits that have been promised to employees.

c) The PBGC will lay claim of up to 30% of the corporation's assets to pay benefits that have been promised to employees.

All of the following are advantages of offering paid time off (PTO) leave to employees EXCEPT a) employees can take unused time as additional vacation days. b) employees do not need to explain to their manager why they taking time off. c) employees may consider PTO as vacation time and not use it when they are ill. d) absences are reduced as a PTO day is scheduled in advanced. e) employees like the flexibility and trust that employers offer with PTO policies.

c) employees may consider PTO as vacation time and not use it when they are ill.

Sick leave, holiday leave, and long-term disabilities are grouped together as a) intrinsic job enhancement. b) retirement benefits. c) paid time off. d) health preservation benefits. e) long-term maintenance.

c) paid time off.

The main reason that companies offer flexible benefits to employees is: a) to comply with federal wage and hour law regulations. b) to motivate employees. c) to save money. d) to enter new geographical markets. e) to be product competitive in the global environment.

c) to save money.

Rajiv works for a major private employer. Each year, he contributed a substantial amount to a retirement benefit plan. The employer matches these pre-tax dollars up to 6% of his income. What kind of retirement program does Rajiv have? a) Defined benefit plan b) Profit-sharing plan c) Money purchase pension plan d) 401(k) e) 403(b)

d) 401(k)

At the Federal level, the unemployment tax (called FUTA) is _________ on the first $7,000 of earnings of employees. a) 3.0% b) 4.2% c) 5.4% d) 6.0% e) 7.2%

d) 6.0%

Emmanuel worked for a large manufacturing firm in Detroit. Last year, he moved to the Southwest for his daughter's health and has continued to provide health care coverage for his family. He is concerned, because he needs to find a new job in the next 2 years, or his coverage will be cancelled. What kind of health insurance does Emmanuel have? a) Traditional b) HMO c) PPO d) COBRA e) HIPAA

d) COBRA

Denise works for a company that provides PPO medical insurance, short-term disability, 2X life insurance, 2 weeks of paid vacation, and a basic pension plan to all employees. Denise also has the option of purchasing $7000 (amount calculated from 1% of salary X years of service) worth of annual additional benefits from such areas as additional life or health insurance coverage, more retirement, tuition reimbursement, health club memberships, military or jury duty pay, free coffee, company housing, and/or more vacation. What kind of benefits plan is Denise's company using? a) Standard b) Family c) Modular d) Core-plus options e) BASIC

d) Core-plus options

Jermaine, a janitor, fell from a ladder while he was changing a light bulb and hurt his leg and shoulder. As a result, he has been unable to work for the past five years and is drawing 60% of his salary. Under what benefit plan is he covered? a) Wellness b) Short-term disability c) Keogh d) Long-term disability e) Employee assistance

d) Long-term disability

Which of the following is a type of flexible benefit plan? a) IRA b) 457 plan c) 401(k) d) Modular plan e) 403(b)

d) Modular plan

Jose works for a toy manufacturer that invests an amount equal to a certain percentage of his pay each year into a trust fund account. His firm has contributed to this optional program every year, even when they lost money. His fund usually receives the 25% maximum allowed by law. What kind of retirement program does Jose have? a) Defined benefit plan b) 403(k) c) Money purchase pension plan d) Profit-sharing plan e) Roth Individual Retirement Account

d) Profit-sharing plan

Two types of individual retirement accounts are: a) money purchase IRA and profit-sharing IRA. b) SEP and money purchase. c) profit-sharing and SIMPLE IRA. d) SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA. e) defined benefit and defined contribution.

d) SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA.

Which of the following is NOT a type of defined contribution plan? a) Money purchase pension plan b) Profit-sharing plan c) IRA d) SPD e) 401(k)

d) SPD

Employees can set aside pretax dollars for health needs and childcare through the use of: a) health savings accounts. b) group insurance benefits. c) employee assistance programs. d) flexible spending accounts. e) wellness programs.

d) flexible spending accounts.

In Germany, paid vacation mandated are _____. a) 4 weeks b) 6 days c) 2 weeks d) 10 days e) 30 days

e) 30 days

Maizie, a charge nurse in a large hospital, is frustrated with a phone call. She is thumbing through Joe's file, looking for a patient consent signature before she can answer questions from Joe's secretary, "How is Joe?" What health issue is relevant to Maizie's predicament? a) Traditional b) HMO c) PPO d) COBRA e) HIPAA

e) HIPAA

Which type of health care option includes a tax advantage to the employees who contribute to them? a) Health maintenance organizations b) Preferred provider organizations c) High Deductible Health Plan d) Point of Service Plan e) Health Savings Account

e) Health Savings Account

Which of the following will guarantee an employee's permanent right to a pension benefit offered by the employer? a) Money purchase pension plans b) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation c) Summary plan description d) Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) e) Vesting

e) Vesting

Which legally required benefit is designed to protect employees' salaries and to shift the cost of accidents and rehabilitation to employers? a) Unemployment compensation b) Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) c) Social Security d) The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) e) Worker's compensation

e) Worker's compensation

One of the most popular types of short-term disability is a company's _________ plan.

sick leave