We've compiled a comprehensive directory of essential, HR- relevant association and governmental web sites for your reference.

As this page is continually evolving, we invite you to submit any useful additions or suggestions.

1. HR RELATED ASSOCATIONS

American Benefits Council
www.appwp.org
Association that works to build support for public policy objectives in the areas of health care, retirement income, plan administration, compensation, and asset management. Site includes news and legislative, regulatory and judicial highlights.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/appendix/a304.html
Summary of COBRA from the Policy and Procedure Manual, Office of Human Resources, Princeton University.

Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)
www.ebri.org
Nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of employee benefits for the public, the media, and policymakers. Features publications, special reports, testimony, updated news releases, and fact sheets.

The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC)
www.eric.org
Association of the country’s largest employers committed to the advancement of voluntary retirement, health care coverage, and other employee benefit plans. Includes breaking news, issue briefs and white papers, testimony and comments, and news releases.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
www.fasb.org
The designated organization in the private sector for establishing standards of financial accounting and reporting. Publications and news.

Human Resources Planning Society
www.hrps.org
Association of human resources and business executives that addresses human resource and business issues. Site includes discussion forums, publications, articles on best practices, and news.

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
www.ifebp.org
Nonprofit association serving the needs of employee benefits professionals. Includes IFEBP and industry news, and information on benefits-related conferences, certificate programs and classes.

National Center for Employee Ownership
www.nceo.org
Non-profit membership and research organization providing unbiased information on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), broadly granted employee stock options, and employee participation programs. Offers columns, publications and events.

Profit Sharing/401k Council of America
www.psca.org
Non-profit association representing its member companies’ interests to Federal policymakers. Also offers assistance with profit sharing and 401(k) plan design, administration, investment, compliance and communication. Site includes position papers, publications, research and statistics.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
www.shrm.org  
The world’s largest human resource management association. SHRM provides education and information services, conferences and seminars, government and media representation, online services and publications to its members worldwide.

Washington Business Group on Health (WBGH)
www.wbgh.com
Non-profit organization representing the health care perspective of large national and multinational employers in Washington.

World at Work
www.worldatwork.org
Association dedicated to knowledge and leadership in disciplines associated with attracting, retaining and motivating employees. Education programs, online information resources, and conference information.

2. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/RESOURCES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
www.cms.hhs.gov
Formerly the Health Care Finance Administration. The CMS site includes publications, toll-free numbers and links to state offices and Federal legislation information.

Congressional Record
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html
Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. Published daily when Congress is in session.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
www.os.dhhs.gov
DHHS’ programs include administering Medicare and Medicaid, and child support enforcement. News, search, and a “health finder” links page.

Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA)
www.dol.gov/ebsa
A division of the U.S. Department of Labor, PWBA protects the pensions, health plans, and other employee benefits for more than 150 million people. It helps employees understand their rights, helps employers to comply with the law, and deters and corrects violations of various statutes. Laws and regulations, news, services, publications and reports.

Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/index.html
Links to Fact Sheets on COBRA, HIPAA, and other Federal laws affecting health care.

http://www.dol.gov/elaws
Clear descriptions of nearly two dozen U.S. employment laws including FMLA, fair labor standards, occupational safety and health, and workplace poster requirements.

Department of the Treasury
www.treas.gov
Headlines, educational links, public information.

Federal Register
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html
Site includes Federal documents such as regulations, public laws, presidential documents, and information on the U.S. Congress.

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.ustreas.gov
Taxpayer help and regulations, news, forums, job postings.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
www.pbgc.gov
A Federal government corporation that protects the retirement incomes of 43 million American workers in nearly 38,000 defined benefit pension plans. Legal information, news, and publications.

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov
Site includes online forms, benefits information, and other services.

Please note - these links are for reference only. XL Communications Inc. does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information found on these pages.