Jenny Gartman, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

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 […]

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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 […]

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Top Reasons for 401(k) Loans

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

04 Sep 202404 Sep 2024

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

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Inclusive Family-Forming Benefits: Definition of Infertility

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

07 Aug 202407 Aug 2024

According to Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Results, to be released the end of August 2024, 42% of U.S. organizations currently offer fertility benefits (an increase from 40% in 2022). While fertility benefit offerings are more prevalent, there are varied reasons plan participants […]

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ERISA Preemption 101

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

31 Jul 202401 Aug 2024

Hailed by its authors as the law’s “crowning glory” or “crowning jewel,” the preemption clause in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) was designed to help simplify employee benefits administration for multistate employers. But what does ERISA preemption mean? […]

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ACA Litigation Update: Preventive Services Requirements Upheld

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

12 Jul 202412 Jul 2024

What’s new? On June 21, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Braidwood v. Becerra that the lower court had overreached when it struck down the Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive services mandate nationwide. The Fifth Circuit held that federal […]

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Three DOL Developments for Retirement Plan Sponsors

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

09 Jul 202409 Jul 2024

So far in 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) has released proposals for plan administrators to populate a missing participant database and automatic portability of retirement plan accruals when employees change jobs. The DOL also finalized a retirement security rule package and […]

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The DOL Retirement Security Final Rule: Highlights for Plan Sponsors

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

20 Jun 202420 Jun 2024

On April 25, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) published the retirement security final rule defining fiduciary status for investment advice to retirement investors under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). It is set to […]

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Best Practices for Multiemployer Retirement Plan Death Audits

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

29 May 202429 May 2024

Fiduciaries have many responsibilities that stem from the duties of care, loyalty and prudence, including ensuring the correct benefits are paid to the correct participants and beneficiaries of the plan. Benefits Magazine authors Lisa L. Kaiser, CEBS, and Carey R. Wooton, CEBS, explain […]