Newsletters
Compliance with the ADEA/OWBPA
After the United States Supreme Court decided Ohio v. Betts in 1989, Congress amended the ADEA by passing The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 3 (OWBPA). The OWBPA further clarifies Congress's original intent relative to age-based discrimination in the area of employee benefits. Under the OWBPA, an employee may reduce benefits for older workers only when the cost of providing reduced benefits is the same as it is for younger workers. An employer cannot prevent an older employee's pension from accumulating or accruing if the employee works past normal retirement age. The practice of forcing older workers to take early retirement is also addressed.
Bonds
Bonds are debt securities issued by governments, corporations, and other entities. In return for the loan of money to the issuer represented by the bond, the issuer promises to pay a set rate of interest over the life of the bond and then pay back the principal or face value of the bond to the investor when the bond matures or becomes due.
Arbitration of Securities Disputes
Although persons may not be required to arbitrate rather than litigate their claims, they may by contract agree to arbitrate any claims that arise under the contract.
Duty of Loyalty
RATIFICATION OF SELF-INTERESTED DIRECTOR TRANSACTIONS
Independent Director Requirements for Nasdaq Listed Companies
The Nasdaq Stock Exchange, Inc., has adopted Rule 4350(c)(1), which requires that every company listed on Nasdaq must have independent directors as the majority of the company's board of directors. Each listed company must publicly disclose which of its directors are considered independent by identifying the independent directors in the company's annual meeting proxy statement or in the company's annual report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K.
