Jenny Gartman, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

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 […]

Dependent Care Employee Benefits U.S. Work Life Balance

The Pros and Cons of On-Site Childcare

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

24 Oct 202424 Oct 2024

A recent report, Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents, recommended ways that employers can expand policies and programs that support the well-being of parents and caregivers in the workplace. This can include offering […]

Compliance DOL Employee Benefits ERISA Health Care Legislative Mental Health U.S.

MHPAEA Final Rules Amending NQTL Standard

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

01 Oct 202401 Oct 2024

On September 9, 2024, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and the Treasury released new final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The final rules set forth content requirements and timeframes for […]

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits SECURE 2.0 U.S.

IRS Guidance on Qualified Student Loan Payment (QSLP) Match Programs

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

11 Sep 202423 Sep 2024

Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 allows employers to make matching contributions toward employees’ qualified student loan payments (QSLPs) to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and governmental 457(b) plans (and SIMPLE IRAs plans not summarized in this blog). Internal Revenue […]