Jenny Gartman, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

Executive Orders: Checking In on Benefits Watchlist Topics

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

19 Feb 202519 Feb 2025

Around one month into the Trump administration, many in the benefits community have been watching for new executive orders and evaluating how they affect their benefit plans. The Foundation identified eight executive order (EO) topics that have the greatest potential impact on […]

DOL Employee Benefits ERISA Legislative Retirement U.S.

Plan Sponsors Can Self-Correct Some Violations of ERISA—Here’s Where to Start

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

18 Feb 202518 Feb 2025

The Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) encourages employers and plan sponsors to voluntarily correct certain violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). For certain categories of eligible transactions, the Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) intends for […]

Compliance Employee Benefits Legislative Pensions Public Plans Retirement U.S.

What Public Pension Plans Need to Know About the Social Security Fairness Act

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

30 Jan 202530 Jan 2025

Signed into law on January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) (HR 82) repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for some individuals who receive other benefits, such as certain state or local government pension benefits. The Social Security […]

Employee Benefits ERISA Legislative Regulatory U.S.

Benefit Plan Laws and Rules on Our 2025 Watchlist

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

16 Jan 202516 Jan 2025

Did you know there are at least 40 potential areas of employee benefit plan regulations and legislation to watch in 2025 and beyond? That’s how many I counted while attending the International Foundation webcast, Legislative and Regulatory Update—What Could Be Coming in […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Regulatory U.S.

ACA Employer Reporting Relief Options for Self-Funded Plans in 2025

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

14 Jan 202514 Jan 2025

On December 23, 2024, President Biden signed two laws intended to simplify employer’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements. The Paperwork Burden Reduction Act (HR 3797) and the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (HR 3801) allow flexibility for employers to furnish 1095-B and […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Legislative U.S.

Congress Passes Two Laws Allowing ACA Employer Reporting Relief

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

20 Dec 202420 Dec 2024

On December 10 and 11, Congress passed two bills, the Paperwork Reduction Act (HR 3797) and the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (HR 3801), intended to simplify employer’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements. The bills are awaiting the president’s signature to become […]

401(k) Plans Communication Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Retirement U.S.

17 Tips for 401(k) Loan Program Design

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

12 Dec 202412 Dec 2024

Many 401(k) plans allow participants to take out loans from their individual 401(k) account. According to Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Results, 81% of corporate employer plans offered a 401(k) loan provision. While loan options provide flexibility for those hesitant to contribute to […]

Employee Benefits Regulatory U.S.

President-Elect Trump Regulatory Outlook

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

21 Nov 202408 Jan 2025

What do the election results mean for employer-sponsored benefits? That’s a tough question to answer. Aside from occasional mentions of Medicare and Social Security, benefits-related topics weren’t prominent in the 2024 presidential campaigns. President-Elect Trump’s health messaging focused on making health care […]

Employee Benefits U.S.

Your Election Watchlist for Benefits

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

05 Nov 202405 Nov 2024

This election day, you might be heading to the polls or have voted already (I’m looking forward to getting fewer random texts and mailers, that’s for sure!). Regardless of the outcome, the next administration will likely impact many areas, including employee benefits. Here’s […]

Canada Communication Employee Benefits U.S.

Communication Inspiration: The Benefits Hub

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

29 Oct 202429 Oct 2024

What actions can you take to ensure benefits plan members use the programs offered by your organization and value your investment in their well-being? As technology and members’ communication preferences keep evolving, trustees and plan sponsors need to continuously evolve their communication […]