Jenny Gartman, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

DOL Releases Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

27 Apr 202128 Apr 2021

Thirty-five years ago this month, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) was signed into law. COBRA provides a way for workers and their families to temporarily maintain their employer-provided health insurance during situations such as job loss or a […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Employee Benefits Legislative Multiemployer PBGC Retirement U.S.

What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Financially Troubled Multiemployer Pension Plans

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Mar 202128 Apr 2021

Listen to this post here. After years of debate on the topic of funding relief for multiemployer pension funds, Congress acted this week with the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Rescue Plan)—likely one of the most significant pieces […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) U.S.

Can Health FSAs Be Used to Prepay for Orthodontia?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

12 Nov 202011 Nov 2020

As fall begins, the International Foundation Information Center typically sees an uptick in requests about year-end or new year planning for calendar year plans. Flexible spending account (FSA) participants need to estimate how much they will set aside for medical expenses prior […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Legislative U.S.

COVID-19–Related Tax Credits Benefits Professionals Need to Know

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

06 Oct 202020 Oct 2020

The relationship between benefits and tax may be deeper than most benefits professionals realize. In a recent International Foundation webcast, New and Ongoing Tax Relief to Employers and Employees, speakers Lindsay Rice and Matt Kelley with Moderator Ronald Krupa, CEBS, (all senior […]

Employee Benefits Investments Retirement U.S.

Who Is an ERISA Fiduciary Now, and What Should One Be Doing?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

28 Sep 202028 Sep 2020

The definition of a fiduciary under ERISA has fluctuated in the past decade. In 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a rule redefining the meaning of the term fiduciary as it applies to investment professionals by replacing the five-part test originally […]

Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Pensions Retirement U.S.

Multiemployer Pension Actuarial Certifications Revisited

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

28 Jul 202028 Jul 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted benefit trust funds and will continue to have a marked effect on these plans. With volatile market performance that has not been seen since 2008, many plans are finding that their funding levels are suddenly in […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits

Auditing Employee Benefit Plans: COVID-19-Related Subsequent Events

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

15 Jun 202015 Jun 2020

The current pandemic has changed the way all businesses operate. Detailed information to keep the industry up to date on the latest issues was presented in the webcast Current Accounting and Auditing Issues in Employee Benefit Plans by Eileen E. Brassil, CFE, […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care

Are Laid Off or Furloughed Employees Eligible for Health Care Benefits?

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

12 May 202014 May 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has brought layoffs and furloughs to millions of workers across the United States. This bad news can be complicated for individuals with health care coverage through their employer. These employees are asking questions, such as “Do I still have […]

Compliance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits

COVID-19: How to Handle Confidentiality of Medical Information Under ADA

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

03 Apr 202003 Apr 2020

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted a webinar in which EEOC staff answered employer questions about how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and still be compliant with federal employment nondiscrimination laws—including questions on handling confidentiality […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR)

Coronavirus and International Business Travel

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

12 Mar 202001 Apr 2020

Making sure employees and their families stay healthy and safe includes acknowledging the anxiety and stress that comes with travel, explained Dr. Amit Arwindekar, North American Medical Director at United HealthCare Global, in the March 11 webcast Coronavirus and International Business Travel: […]