Word on Benefits

Excepted Fertility Benefits Proposed Rule: Key Takeaways for Employers

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

09 Jun 202609 Jun 2026

Learn about the newly proposed requirements for excepted fertility benefits, the design and cost flexibilities available to employers, and the key uncertainties to be resolved in today’s blog.

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What to Know Before Implementing Spousal Surcharges and Carve-Outs

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

04 Jun 202604 Jun 2026

Today’s blog outlines strategies, legal concerns and best practices for employers implementing spousal surcharges and carve-outs to control costs.

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The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape Report: Defined Benefit Key Findings

Cathe Gooding, CEBS

02 Jun 202602 Jun 2026

The majority of multiemployer defined benefit (DB) retirement plans improved their funded status in 2023 compared with previous years, according to The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A 15-Year Look (2009-2023), recently released by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

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The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape Report: Defined Contribution Key Findings

Cathe Gooding, CEBS

29 May 202601 Jun 2026

The health of multiemployer defined contribution (DC) retirement plans improved from 2021 to 2023, according to The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A 15-Year Look (2009-2023), recently released by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

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Benefits to Grow and Support Families: A Ten-Year Look

Anne Patterson

28 May 202628 May 2026

Fertility, family planning and family support benefits have been steadily on the rise as employers seek to attract and retain talent, support workforce well-being and build more inclusive workplaces, according to the International Foundation’s Employee Benefits Survey: 2026 Report.

Compliance Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Employee Benefits ERISA Financial Education (U.S.) Legislative Multiemployer Pensions Regulatory U.S.

Supreme Court Rules in Withdrawal Liability Case

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

22 May 202622 May 2026

In a unanimous ruling on May 21, the Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court decision and held that pension plans have the flexibility to update actuarial assumptions after year-end when calculating withdrawal liability rather than fixing those assumptions at the close of the prior year.

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Alcohol Awareness: How Workplace Stress Influences Drinking

Ashton DeMoss, CWP

21 May 202621 May 2026

Today’s blog examines how alcohol impacts our health and how workplace stress can influence some people’s relationship with it.

Canada Mental Health U.S. Wellness

Problematic Gambling Cessation

Jonas Leyrer, CEBS

19 May 202619 May 2026

A major problem emerging for public well-being has been the recent increase in gambling disorder.

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DOL Enhances Informal Guidance and ERISA Compliance Assistance

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

14 May 202614 May 2026

Today’s blog reviews recent guidance on ERISA enforcement priorities, including the fiduciary duty of loyalty and proxy advisor actions that qualify as investment advice under ERISA’s five-part test.

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Improving Financial and Benefits Literacy

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

12 May 202612 May 2026

Financial and benefits literacy is successful when employees have clear, low-risk next steps, giving them the confidence to make informed decisions and improving outcomes for both the employee and the organization.