Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A voluntary benefit plan is a suite of benefits offered by an employer that is voluntary for employees to use and is typically paid for by the employee via payroll deductions. These types of benefits are usually offered in addition to the core benefit program provided by the employer. They represent extra benefits that the […]
U.S. employers’ cost to provide employee benefits, measured as a percentage of pay, increased 24% between 2001 and 2015, fueled largely by a doubling in healthcare benefit costs, according to a new analysis by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company. The analysis reveals a major shift in how employers allocate […]
When an employee is terminated due to “gross misconduct,” the termination is not considered a qualifying event, and an employer does not have to offer Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage to the ex-employee (or his or her covered spouse or dependents). Neither the statute, legislative history, nor regulations specifically define the term “gross […]
With the growth of the gig economy, more and more employers find themselves with employees who have another job on the side. This might be a part-time job, or it might be a side gig or “side hustle” as it’s sometimes called. For example, perhaps some of your employees also drive for Uber or Lyft, […]
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) plan administrators seeking to better understand how the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)—including its advance payment system and how it will impact COBRA coverage and documentation—may find useful a new report issued by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), as well as corresponding Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recommendations. […]
Remaining informed and aware of investing trends is one of the many duties that come with being an employer plan sponsor or serving on a plan’s investment committee. As average fund fees continue their slide from investors seeking lower-cost funds and price wars among some providers, it’s useful to understand what’s behind this trend. At […]
A federal advisory committee called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind a 2012 rule that established a standard unique identifier for health plans.
In the wee hours of July 27th, Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John McCain—in a surprise moment of eleventh-hour drama—joined all of the Senate Democrats in voting down a so-called “skinny repeal” bill that would have permanently repealed the individual mandate, halted the employer mandate for 8 years, and made a few other relatively […]
A multi-agency federal and state investigation has led to the guilty plea and imprisonment of Ohio businessman William M. Apostelos, who orchestrated a Ponzi scheme that included the theft of $1.9 million from an employee benefit plan. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) participated in […]
“How much are you currently earning?” It once seemed like an innocent enough question, and until recently was very common.