Regulatory Changes
This document was last updated April 27, 2010.
Escape Technology is dedicated to ensuring that our software meets all State, Federal and other reporting requirements. The following is a list of upcoming regulatory changes, how we plan to address the changes, and what the timeline is for implementing the changes.
2010 Regulatory Changes Delivered
- California and Federal 2010 Tax Tables (Delivered December 2009)
2010 Regulatory Changes In Progress
CALSTRS Business Rules Changes (CR7620)
The objective of the match process is to synchronize CalSTRS data with employer data to reduce the number of exceptions generated during the contribution report editing process. Employers can match on any data elements that are found on both the match file and the employer’s local system.
What is the deadline to implement the new match rules?
CALSTRS does not specify a deadline for these changes.
What is changing in Escape Online 5?
Each month, CalSTRS provides the employer a new match file tape containing membership data for everyone who appears on the CalSTRS database. Escape Online 5 will compare the new match file with the county retirement file. Reports will show which accounts do not match CalSTRS data. This will allow the County retirement staff to correct membership data in Escape Online 5, and update information sent to CalSTRS via the MR87 process.
When will the changes in Escape Online 5 be ready?
We are completing this work in phases. The first phase of the project will generate the STRS inquiry file and a response file showing the differences between Escape Online 5 and STRS. At this point the user will need to manually update either Escape Online 5 or STRS with the appropriate information. This will be run with a few customers so we can better understand how to automate the update of information in Escape Online 5. At that time, we will create a CR for the additional logic.
These changes are currently scheduled in version 10.03.
Calendar Year 2010 1099 & W2 Changes
Every year, we ensure the State and Federal 1099 and W2 changes are incorporated into our system. These changes are scheduled for version 10.05.
2011 Regulatory Changes - Planned
CALPERS XML File Output (CR8321)
What is changing at CALPERS?
The method by which your agency enrolls members and participants for health or retirement benefits, and how you report payroll contributions to CalPERS are changing:
- The format of the reporting file is changing to XML (Extensible Markup Language).
- The structure of the reporting file will include new data elements.
- Business reporting rules are changing.
These changes do not apply to the processes for health and retirement enrollment for Legislators and Supplemental Income Plans.
When do the changes go into effect?
September 19, 2011 is the proposed my|CalPERS implementation date. The implementation date is dependent upon PERS conducting successful system testing to meet critical checkpoints throughout the project’s advancement. This approach will allow PERS to assess the system’s performance and make corrective actions at each checkpoint before progressing to the next phase of the project.
What is changing in Escape Online 5?
These changes by CALPERS will require that Escape Online 5 has the capability to produce an XML file with all of the necessary data elements in a format that you can send to CALPERS as required.
When will the changes to Escape Online 5 be ready?
We are working directly with PERS on the proposed changes. We have agreed to be part of the second round of third-party testing. This will allow us time to test the files with the new system and work out any last minute changes with PERS.
These changes are currently unscheduled due to CalPERS setbacks.
For more information, see the FAQS on the CALPERS web site.
Comments are appreciated! Or, if you know of upcoming regulations, send us an email and let us know.
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