Jenny Gartman, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

PBGC SFA Program Update: Where Are We Now?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

04 Oct 202304 Oct 2023

The Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Here’s an update on developments since the previous update in March 2023. Summary of application activity. According to a PBGC press release, as […]

Compliance DOL Employee Benefits Legislative Mental Health Regulatory U.S. Wellness

DOL Guidance on Mental Health Parity: Proposed Rules for NQTL Comparative Analyses

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

13 Sep 202313 Sep 2023

Many health plan sponsors continue to struggle to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), particularly the requirement to conduct a comparative analysis of nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) that has been effective under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act […]

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

Matching Contributions for Qualified Student Loan Payments Under SECURE Act 2.0

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

31 Aug 202331 Aug 2023

With the federal student loan debt relief plan ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, more employers are expected to consider offering student loan repayment benefits (covered in Part 1) or retirement plan matching under the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022. The optional […]

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

Student Loan Repayment Benefits: What Are The Options Now?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

22 Aug 202322 Aug 2023

With the federal student loan relief plan ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, more employers are expected to consider offering student loan repayment benefits (loan paydown) or 401(k)/403(b) matching under the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022. Federal student loan payments resume in […]

Canada Employee Benefits Webcast

What Plan Sponsors Should Know About Cancer in the Workplace

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

20 Jul 202325 Jul 2023

Over 1.5 million Canadians are living with and beyond cancer up to 25 years after a cancer diagnosis, per the Canadian Cancer Society. Working-age Canadians account for more than one-third of all new cancer cases in men and more than 40% of […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Health Care LGBTQ+ Parental Leave U.S.

Inclusive Family-Forming Benefits: Surrogacy Reimbursement Programs

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

20 Jun 202320 Jun 2023

Fertility and family-forming benefits are top of mind for many organizations, whether it’s to stay competitive in attracting and retaining key talent or match benefits to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. Surrogacy reimbursement programs are one such benefit that may particularly […]

Communication Compliance Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory

What Retirement Plan Sponsors Need to Know About Spousal Consent and Remote Witnessing

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

25 May 202325 May 2023

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) temporarily allowed, in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, electronic alternatives to physical presence requirements for retirement plan participants’ elections that required spousal consent. The two allowed alternatives were remote witnessing by notaries public […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Defined Benefit (DB) Plans DOL Employee Benefits ERISA MPRA Retirement

How SFA Rules Impact Annual Funding Notice Requirements

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

09 May 202309 May 2023

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 authorized special financial assistance (SFA) through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to eligible severely underfunded multiemployer plans. ARPA added section 4262 to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The multiemployer plans […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance DOL Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Insurance Prescription Drugs

**ACA Preventive Services Requirements Struck Down: Braidwood Management v. Becerra Explainer**

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

26 Apr 202326 Apr 2023

As a result of ongoing litigation, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (the departments) cannot enforce some Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive care requirements, but the departments strongly encourage plan sponsors to keep coverage without […]

Communication Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness Investments Regulatory U.S.

Three Trustee Actions During Market Volatility

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Apr 202310 Apr 2023

Recent bank failures and resulting market volatility have captured headlines in recent weeks, and many individual investors reacted quickly. However, when it comes to fulfilling their fiduciary duty in the face of unexpected news, trustees should remain calm to avoid costly investment […]