Media Mentions
2012
“E&Y Covering Tax Costs of Domestic Partner Health Benefits Offered Same-Sex Couples”
Bloomberg BNA Daily Tax Report, January 11, 2012
Todd Solomon said that, due to the higher federal tax on health care benefits for domestic partner/same-sex couples, “domestic partner benefits are a completely tax-inefficient way to cover a partner.” Mr. Solomon noted that although employer gross-up policies to cover the higher tax “are not always a make-whole remedy, they could create an incentive for more people to participate in their employer's plan,” adding that “a number of clients” are asking him about instituting such policies.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2011
“Law Firms Lend Helping Hand to Organization”
Chicago Lawyer, December 15, 2011
Todd Solomon discussed how his legal action to secure appropriate special education for his son led to his pro bono work for nonprofit advocacy organization Equip for Equality. “I experienced firsthand how difficult the special education process was to navigate, even as a lawyer,” Mr. Solomon said. “It’s pretty complicated from a legal standpoint to know what your rights are and how to enforce those rights.” Mr. Solomon is pro bono co-chair for the Chicago office, and McDermott is one of 14 law firms giving pro bono help to Equip for Equality.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Pro Bono & Community Service
“Proof of Civil Union May Mirror Employer’s Proof of Marriage Requirements”
Society for Human Resource Management, November 30, 2011
Todd Solomon noted that many employers have evened up the documentation (including proof of marriage) that they require for heterosexual and gay couples when adding a spouse to health care coverage. This evening up can mean either requiring all couples to show proof of marriage or civil union or dropping the civil union requirement for gay couples, Mr. Solomon said, and it in part reflects compliance with the Human Rights Campaign Equality Index.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Woman May Lose Same-Spouse’s Death Benefits to Homophobic In-Laws”
Lawyers.com, November 23, 2011
Todd Solomon explained that because the federal Defense of Marriage Act and some state statutes define marriage as being between opposite-sex spouses, same-sex spouses and their employers face issues under ERISA and IRS rules when designating spousal beneficiaries for employee benefit plans. “Employers … need to do careful plan drafting and they need to define the word ‘spouse,’” Mr. Solomon said, while “for employees, you should always name your beneficiary.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Pro Bono: In Their Words”
Chicago Lawyer, November 1, 2011
Todd Solomon expressed appreciation that McDermott supports his pro bono and community involvement activity, saying “the fact that I even get the opportunity to do this as part of my job is awesome.” Mr. Solomon was also thankful for “the gratitude and appreciation shown by pro bono clients. Nothing feels better than helping someone in need who would not otherwise have the means to obtain legal assistance.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“IRS Announces 2012 COLA Limits for Qualified Plans”
Federal Tax Weekly, October 27, 2011
Todd Solomon observed that, “unlike in 2011, when retirement plan [contribution and benefit] limits remained largely unchanged, there are several notable increases for 2012.” He cited such factors as the increases in the Social Security wage base, the maximum 401(k) contribution and the threshold for defining highly compensated employees. “The result of many of these increases,” Mr. Solomon concluded, “will be greater employee savings under tax-qualified retirement plans.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Qualified Retirement Plans
“Opposite-Sex Couple in Civil Union Assail NU’s Health Insurance Rules”
Chicago Tribune, October 14, 2011
Todd Solomon noted that it has been common for employers to offer benefits to unmarried same- sex partners, but not to unmarried opposite-sex partners, who have the option to get married. Given the potential problems from this, he added, such benefit provisions are “something an employer needs to think through, how the benefits are going to be perceived and what are the employee-relations concerns.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Same-Sex Partner and Spouse Benefits”
SHRM.org, Society for Human Resource Management, September 2011
Todd Solomon said “employers that are the most care-minded about providing domestic partner benefits and are on the cutting edge of benefits” are increasingly providing tax gross-ups that cover the additional federal tax that same-sex domestic partners or spouses must pay. Noting that this is a relatively recent trend, Mr. Solomon added that “some of the first [employers] to offer domestic partner benefits are the ones who are behind right now because they haven’t re-examined” new developments like the gross-ups.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Required Benefits”
SHRM.org, Society for Human Resource Management, September 2011
Todd Solomon in this video reminded employers with a fully insured health plan for employees in a state that recognizes same-sex relationships that they “will be legally required” to offer the benefits to same-sex spouses or domestic partners. Mr. Solomon added that “the recent trend among employers is to create spousal parity” in all benefits requirements, including with regard to proof required to verify a relationship.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Gay Marriage Laws Leave Disparities in Federal Tax Treatment”
Bloomberg News, July 28, 2011
Todd Solomon said employers that reimburse same-sex married and domestic partner couples for the higher federal taxes they pay on health care benefits compared to heterosexual couples do so as a matter of fairness, “to reward our people equally with their opposite sex counterparts.” McDermott was listed as one of 19 employers identified by the Human Rights Campaign for providing such reimbursement.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Same-Sex Spouses in New York Will Get Health Insurance”
The New York Times, July 5, 2011
Todd Solomon said that, although New York State has legalized same-sex marriage, employers with self-insured plans that pay for health benefits from their own assets are not subject to the state’s insurance laws and thus are not required to cover same-sex spouses.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Equal Benefits Gain Ground”
SHRM HR Magazine, June 2011
Todd Solomon observed that companies increasingly offer COBRA-equivalent health benefit coverage to employees with same-sex domestic partners or spouses, and those firms that cover all spouses must do so in states that recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions. However, Mr. Solomon also noted that because federal law regards benefits for same-sex partners as a fringe benefit and thus part of taxable income, “You’re treating as taxable income something for federal law but not for state law. It’s what most employers get wrong.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Federal Government Refuses to Defend Defense of Marriage Act -- So Now What”
Huffington Post, March 16, 2011
Todd Solomon called the U.S. government’s decision to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, “of huge symbolic significance,” because it would “seem to create a higher possibility that DOMA will be held unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. This ultimately would mean that same-sex couples can receive all of the over 1,100 federal rights and benefits that opposite-sex couples receive.” Until then, however, Mr. Solomon cautioned employers that “nothing has changed with respect to the administration of benefit plans” under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA, although he advised closely monitoring case law as it develops.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2010
“Firm Offers New Benefit to LGBT Employees”
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, December 15, 2010
Todd Solomon described McDermott’s new policy of compensating employees for the additional federal tax they pay for adding same-sex domestic partners to their health benefits as “basically … giv[ing] somebody additional compensation to help pay the tax.” Mr. Solomon said of such tax gross-ups, “It’s a way to show support for that group of employees and provide equal pay for equal work,” adding that while “a very small group of companies and law firms” offer the benefit now, doing so is “definitely an emerging trend.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Equip for Equality Celebrates Its 25-Year History”
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, November 17, 2010
Todd Solomon recalled a disagreement with a local school district about how to handle his son’s special education needs led him “to understand how huge the legal need is in that area.” Learning of Equip for Equality, a non-profit organization that advocates for the civil rights of the disabled, Mr. Solomon said he “personally took it upon myself to get involved and to make sure we got other [McDermott] attorneys involved” in donating services to the group. He called Equip for Equality’s 25th anniversary celebration “a very emotional night.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Barclays to Reimburse Gay Workers for Taxes on U.S. Benefits”
Bloomberg Businessweek, November 17, 2010
“Barclays to Pay for Extra Tax of Same-Sex Partners”
American Banker, November 15, 2010
Todd Solomon considered the positive employee relations impact of the Barclays plc decision to join other companies in reimbursing U.S. employees for additional federal taxes that they pay on health benefits for same-sex domestic partners. The Barclays decision is “simply to provide equal pay for equal work in this civil rights issue, there’s really no financial incentive,” Mr. Solomon said. “The bottom line is more than how much cash you spend today, it may help the bottom line to be seen as the employer of choice.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Barclays to Reimburse Gay Workers for Health Benefit Tax”
New York Times, November 12, 2010
Todd Solomon commented that the move by Barclays plc to pay the employee gross-up federal tax on same-sex domestic partner benefits “is sure to be a trend going forward, as covering this tax will undoubtedly be a competitive advantage for many large organizations.” He added that “the number of inquiries I have received about domestic partner tax gross-ups has significantly increased within the past six months.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“IRS Announces 2011 COLA Limits for Qualified Plans; Most Unchanged”
Standard Federal Tax Reports, November 4, 2010
Todd Solomon stated that, because federal cost of living adjustments for retirement and benefit plans are unchanged for 2011, “Plan sponsors and record keepers will not have many adjustments to make to their procedures as, not surprisingly, the limits applicable to benefit plan contributions, benefits, compensation, and non-discrimination testing did not change.” He added that the unchanged 2011 Social Security wage base “means no changes for plans with benefit formulas that are integrated with Social Security.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Pro Bono: No Excuses Remaining”
Chicago Lawyer, October 1, 2010
Todd Solomon was singled out as a partner who has developed a national reputation in employee benefits practice while undertaking substantial pro bono work. Mr. Solomon received praise for spending hundreds of hours annually on pro bono employee benefits projects, serving as a “go-to” resource on pension issues for legal aid programs, representing disabled children in special education cases, performing legal assessments of nonprofits and chairing the Chicago office’s pro bono committee – all as “in-house cheerleader” in the Firm for pro bono.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Pro Bono & Community Service
“The Outie Awards”
The Advocate, October 2010
Todd Solomon was interviewed concerning Google’s recent decision to pay the additional higher federal tax assessed on domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples. “The climate is changing very quickly,” with more companies taking similar steps, Mr. Solomon said. “Google was the icing on the cake,” he continued, noting that he had received more calls about the issue in the past month than in the previous two years. “[W]ho knows what all this will do to the national – and corporate – consciousness,” Mr. Solomon added. “It [covering the higher tax] can be a competitive advantage if you’re in a large industry that depends on recruitment and retention. And Google, after all, has gotten a lot of good press.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
“Legislation Could Limit Use of Swaps”
Employee Benefit News, August 1, 2010
Todd Solomon discussed the Dodd-Frank Act provision that swap dealers transacting with retirement plans have fiduciary duty to the plan. That term “raised alarm bells,” he said, “because if the swap dealer owes a fiduciary duty to the plan, and then is, of course, on its own side, it's basically on both sides of the swap transaction. And that's not a workable result.” Mr. Solomon noted that “if we remove the word ‘fiduciary’ perhaps there's less confusion that this isn't an ERISA issue,” but asked, “Even if it's not a fiduciary duty, but some kind of duty, how far does that duty extend to these transactions?”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon commented for CCH Federal Tax Weekly on July 15 about a U.S. district court’s finding that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies legally married same-sex couples the right to file joint federal tax returns (and thus get a lower tax rate). Mr. Solomon stated that the ruling “may eventually be of landmark importance in the area of benefits for same-sex partners,” but cautioned that, because of anticipated appeals and government action, “it is likely going to be a while before this issue gets finally resolved.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle (July 8) concerning the implications of Google’s decision to reimburse employees for the taxes paid on health care benefits for same-sex domestic partners, taxes that do not apply to married employees. He noted that other companies may consider such a step, but there are difficulties involved, particularly regarding the tax rate to be used. “It’s not snap your fingers and do it. There are a lot of things to think through,” Mr. Solomon noted.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was quoted in The New York Times (June 30) and the International Herald Tribune (July 2) concerning Google’s new policy of covering the expense of an extra tax on health care benefits for same-sex domestic partner couples that heterosexual married couples do not pay. “It’s a fairly cutting-edge thing to do,” Mr. Solomon said of the company’s decision to make up for the extra tax payment.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon spoke to the Society for Human Resource Management annual conference regarding best benefit practices for same-sex couples, a talk summarized July 2 on www.shrm.com. Mr. Solomon noted the difficulty posed by conflicting state and federal regulations regarding health care benefits for same-sex partners, saying, "To be perfectly frank, many employers don't get this right." He advised creating a grid to map the state and federal laws that might apply in a specific jurisdiction. "An employer's response also depends on whether the plans are self-insured or not," he added. "Insured plans are affected by state law benefit mandates and may have to recognize same-sex marriages, if that's the law in the state where the insurance was issued," even for employees that reside in states where same-sex marriages are not recognized. Click here for the full article.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was quoted extensively in an April 6 Bay Area Reporter story about how same-sex couples can use Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code to avoid higher taxes on health benefits for a domestic partner who can be classified as a dependent. "If you look at Section 152, there is more than one way to skin the cat here in order to be a dependent under the tax code," Mr. Solomon said. "For two partners, if one works and the other one doesn't work, they would be a tax code dependent." He added that "you can have a situation where somebody is dependent for health care purposes but not for general tax purposes.… There is no cap really to the 50 percent [level] of support. It is not really well-defined in the tax code what that support is other than it is living expenses," a situation that may apply when there is significant income disparity between two individuals.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was featured in a February 2010 story in the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Guardians of Justice newsletter concerning the pro bono support that a team of 10 McDermott lawyers is providing to the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (ALCC). Mr. Solomon and his team joined with the Nonprofit Legal Assessment Program to assist the ALCC with a wide range of legal issues. Mr. Solomon described the program as “uniquely successful,” in that it gives the McDermott lawyers “in-area” pro bono experience with their practice areas. As a result of the program, McDermott attorneys now take on pro bono cases from ALCC, the Firm has increased financial sponsorship, and Mr. Solomon has joined the board of directors.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Pro Bono & Community Service
Todd Solomon was quoted in the January/February issue of Diversity & the Bar concerning the legal issues involving domestic partner benefits. “If there are any large employers who have not yet been asked about same-sex spousal benefits, they soon will be,” Mr. Solomon predicted. However, since private employers are not required to extend benefits to same-sex spouses under federal law, Mr. Solomon advised that employees need to approach domestic partner benefits as a human-resources or policy matter. “Employees need to appeal to the fair-mindedness of their employer,” he stated. “Legally, an employee’s only viable remedy is a lawsuit for sexual orientation discrimination, which isn’t actionable yet under federal law, but that could change; the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been proposed for some time, and is better poised to pass in today’s political climate.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2009
Todd Solomon spoke on December 31 to CCH Federal Tax Weekly regarding Senate committee approval of a bill to provide domestic partner benefits to federal employees. Saying that if the bill became law it “would represent a dramatic sea change and would signal that the prevalence of domestic partner benefits in corporate America has spread to all levels of the public sector,” Mr. Solomon noted that, “contrary to the minimal domestic partner benefits provided to certain government employees earlier this year, this law would provide full benefits, including retirement and pension benefits, to the domestic partners of all employees.” He added that the federal Defense of Marriage Act would require the federal government to tax employees on the value of health benefits provided to domestic partners, just as private sector employers must do.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was quoted on November 5 by Standard Federal Tax Reports on the domestic partner provisions of The Affordable Health Care for America act expected to be passed by the House of Representatives. The bill would extend the current exclusion for employer-provided health coverage to domestic partners and other persons eligible for coverage under the employers plan, eliminating the current treatment of domestic partner benefits as taxable income. “In addition to providing welcome relief from a significant tax burden on employees and their domestic partners,” Mr. Solomon said, “this proposal would greatly reduce an employer’s administrative burden associated with running a domestic partner benefits program as well as an employer’s payroll taxes.”
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was cited in an October 3 New York Times story on the long-term additional cost that gay couples face for health care and medical benefits. With regard to the tax implications of domestic partner benefit coverage, Mr. Solomon noted that a nondependent partner’s coverage is taxable income, and that pre-tax dollars cannot be used to pay the premiums for coverage.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon assessed in Echelon Magazine on June 6 the effect of the California Supreme Court decision upholding the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage in California. The Court unanimously ruled that such marriages already performed were valid under California law, and Mr. Solomon wrote that, "In deciding so, the Court concluded that there was insufficient evidence that voters intended for Proposition 8 to have a retroactive effect." He also noted that, "Despite the significant loss of the right to marry, same-sex couples in California can still obtain the same legal rights and protections as spouses by entering into domestic partnerships. California enacted a domestic partnership law in 1999; this law remained in effect throughout the short-lived legalization of same-sex marriage." To view the entire article click here.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Lisa Linsky, Todd Solomon and Brian Tiemann are quoted in a June 2009 Chicago Lawyer article on diversity that includes McDermott's strong commitment to inclusiveness of lawyers regardless of their sexual orientation. Ms. Linsky noted that the Firm's 100 percent score from the Human Rights Campaign for workplace equality and inclusion of LGBT individuals "demonstrat[es] that we are mirroring our commitment to LGBT diversity much like our clients and prospective clients are." Mr. Solomon also emphasized that "the Firm is supportive of diversity," citing its sponsorship of and presence at Lavender Law recruiting events for LGBT law students. Mr. Tiemann described his recruitment for McDermott through Lavender Law, adding that the Firm's participation in the event offers assurance "indicating that they promote diversity and that diversity for LGBT lawyers is important to them."
Lisa A. Linsky, Todd A. Solomon, Brian J. Tiemann, Trial
Todd Solomon discussed in Echelon Magazine (May 26) the California Supreme Court's upholding of the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. "Despite the loss of the right to marry, the impact for same-sex couples may not be that significant since California law still permits same-sex couples to register as domestic partners and receive all of the legal rights and protections of marriage but without the title," Mr. Solomon noted. He added that "the most significant impact" of the ruling "may be felt by couples who would have married in California and had their relationship recognized by one of the five states where same-sex marriage is legal."
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Katrina Crafton and Todd Solomon were named by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on May 4 as recipients of the Pro Bono Award from the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc.
Katrina A. Crafton, Todd A. Solomon, Pro Bono & Community Service
Lisa Linsky was quoted in an April 24 story in Echelon Magazine about McDermott's successful pro bono effort, in conjunction with Lambda Legal, to reverse the Social Security Administration's denial of insurance benefits to the children of a disabled gay father who had fulfilled all prerequisites for the benefits. Noting that a number of McDermott Trial and Employee Benefits lawyers had participated in the effort as part of the Firm's commitment to pro bono and diversity, Ms. Linsky said that the Social Security Administration's reversal "validated fundamental principles of law and public policy," and that it "confirms the rights of all parents and children, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation." Other McDermott lawyers on the team included Amy Gordon, Elizabeth Philpott and Todd Solomon.
Amy M. Gordon, Lisa A. Linsky, Elizabeth P. Philpott, Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Pro Bono & Community Service, Trial
Todd Solomon was quoted in the January 16 issue of CCH Tax Journal in an article about how the IRS has provided guidance with regard to allocating the new first-time homebuyer credit between unmarried co-purchasers of a principal residence pursuant to Code Sec. 36(b)(1)C). Mr. Solomon told CCH, "By offering a valuable tax credit to taxpayers who are not married, Notice 2009-12 provides an important federal tax benefit for unmarried domestic partners. As domestic partnerships are not recognized under federal law, a benefit of this sort is rare."
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Todd Solomon was quoted in the January 9 issue of CCH Tax Journal about the fact that the non-spouse beneficiary rollover provisions were made mandatory in technical corrections that were made to the Pension Protection Act. The Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act also makes another very significant change related to plans and plan beneficiaries, Mr. Solomon told CCH. "The new law makes the nonspouse rollover provision mandatory," he said. "This is a key benefit and provides an important tax deferral opportunity for domestic partners as well as other nonspouse beneficiaries," Mr. Solomon explained. "Although many employers have been allowing nonspouse beneficiary rollovers beginning in 2007, many had not focused on this change given all of the other plan administration changes that resulted from the Pension Protection Act," he concluded.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
2008
Todd Solomon was quoted in the December 15 issue of CCH Weekly Report on how Congress approved a pension technical corrections bill on December 11 that will provide tax relief to seniors who are required to take distributions from their retirement plans. "While the relief on the plan document requirement is welcome, many 403(b) plan sponsors have already adopted plan documents in anticipation of the new requirement," Mr. Solomon said. "That said, the idea that the IRS will be expanding relief for correcting 403(b) plan failures using the EPCRS correction program and the fact that the IRS will be issuing guidance on a pre-approved 'prototype' plan for 403(b) plans are really good pieces of news for tax-exempt organizations," he added.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans, Tax Exempt Bonds
Todd Solomon, Menna Eltaki and Patrick McCurry were mentioned in the September 10 edition of Chicago Lawyer for their pro bono project, completing a comprehensive legal assessment for the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago. "What was especially nice about this [project] was that the number of attorneys involved got to work together on a team," said Mr. Solomon.
Patrick J. McCurry, Todd A. Solomon, Pro Bono & Community Service
Todd Solomon was quoted in the August 21 issue of CCH Standard Federal Tax Reports on the IRS's recent revisions to its comprehensive system of correction programs, EPCRS, for sponsors of retirement plans. "The new revenue procedure is more of a fine tune of the program than a major overhaul but there are some items included that will be helpful for plan sponsors," Mr. Solomon said.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Todd Solomon was quoted in the July issue of HealthLeaders InterStudy California Health Plan Analysis on how health insurers haven't seen much effect from gay marriage. "If the health plan is not real clear about how it defines spouse and which spouses it intended to cover, it may very well cover that spouse," Mr. Solomon said. "Whereas, if it were domestic partner, I think it would be much clearer; either the plan covers domestic partners, or it doesn't. So I think the burden is on employers to define what they mean by spouse now," he added.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Todd Solomon was mentioned in the June 27 issue of the New York Law Journal in an article regarding a suit against the federal government on behalf of Gary Day, a disabled gay father whose requests for financial assistance for his two children have been repeatedly ignored. Mr. Solomon was part of the McDermott team that teamed with Lambda Legal to represent Mr. Day in the case.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Lisa A. Linsky was quoted in the June 27 issue of the New York Law Journal in an article regarding a suit against the federal government on behalf of Gary Day, a disabled gay father whose requests for financial assistance for his two children have been repeatedly ignored. Ms. Linsky, Todd A. Solomon, Amy M. Gordon, Daniel A. Mullen and Robin L. Zimmerly have teamed with Lambda Legal to represent Mr. Day in the case. Ms. Linsky noted that Mr. Day and his children "meet all the requirements that the agency needs to provide benefits" and that the Social Security Administration's delayed response "is unwarranted and prejudicial" and "constitutes blatant discrimination."
Amy M. Gordon, Lisa A. Linsky, Todd A. Solomon, Trial
Todd Solomon was mentioned in the June 25 issue of the Windy City Times in an article regarding the recent Citywide Pride event hosted by Merrill Lynch and McDermott Will & Emery. The article discusses Mr. Solomon's presentation and his helpful hints for employers about domestic partner benefits. Mr. Solomon is also looking forward to possibly having civil unions in Illinois. Although it won't have an impact on federal benefits, it will clue more local companies into the needs of their LGBT employees. "It will do a lot for bringing this higher up on the radar screen for Illinois companies," Mr. Solomon said. "It will continue to bring attention to the issue."
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
Todd Solomon was quoted in the March 20 issue of CCH Journal about how qualified plans would be required to allow rollovers by non-spouse beneficiaries under House-passed technical corrections to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). "Before the PPA, participants could make hardship distributions for qualified expenses only for themselves or their spouse or dependents. Under the PPA, if your domestic partner is your beneficiary, you can make a hardship withdrawal, if the benefit plan allows," Mr. Solomon said.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
2007
Todd Solomon and Brett Johnson were profiled in an article featured on the Legal Assistance Foundation’s website for a pro bono case they handled which secured nearly $400,000 in pension benefits for a 61-year-old woman. The pro bono team spent more than 90 hours working on the case that led to negotiating a settlement that reinstated the client’s benefits.
Brett R. Johnson, Todd A. Solomon, Pro Bono & Community Service
Todd Solomon was quoted in the July 1 edition of Employee Benefits News about how same-sex couples must navigate the tax nuances of domestic partners benefits. Mr. Solomon believes there are two reasons domestic partnership enrollment remains low at companies. "People are fearful of coming out in their workplace, and it's not a tax efficient way to cover your partner," he said.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon’s book, Domestic Partner Benefits: An Employer’s Guide, was mentioned in the May/June issue of Diversity & The Bar for being a widely used book on the subject.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2006
Todd Solomon was quoted in the October 19 issue of the Stevens Point Journal (Wisconsin) about his speech given at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point forum on the legal aspect of the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution banning same-sex marriage. "This isn't necessarily a same-sex issue here; opposite-sex couple can be affected, too," he said.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
Todd Solomon was mentioned in the October 10 issue of US States News for being a speaker on a forum on the proposed constitutional amendment on marriage and civil unions that was on the Wisconsin ballot. The forum was held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2005
Todd Solomon was quoted in the November/December issue of Diversity & the Bar in an article about how domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples are becoming more commonplace in law firms. "The number of employees who take advantage of the benefits typically is one to three percent of a company's population, Mr. Solomon said. "But many employees who would never enroll a domestic partner in the plan may feel strongly about the availability of domestic partner benefits as a fairness issue," he explained.
Todd A. Solomon, Employee Benefits
2004
Joe Adams and Todd Solomon were referenced in a February 26 article on Kiplinger.com which described the employee benefits challenges of responding to same gender marriages and civil unions. The book they coauthored ( Domestic Partner Benefits: An Employer's Guide )was referred to as "a guidebook widely used by employees."
