Employee Benefits Archives - Word on Benefits

The Humanity of Hope, Purpose and Belonging

Rebecca Plier

20 Feb 202520 Feb 2025

Hope, purpose, and belonging are three important drivers of well-being for individuals and organizations alike. These feelings are all related and form some of the foundational qualities that make us human. In a special Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference interview […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) Legislative LGBTQ+ U.S.

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 DOL Employee Benefits ERISA Health Care Insurance Legislative Regulatory U.S.

Health Plan Gag Clause Attestation Update

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

13 Feb 202513 Feb 2025

Health plans have a variety of reporting and disclosure requirements and other compliance issues to contend with. In recent years, requirements for plan sponsors have been included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) and No Surprises Act (NSA) signed into law […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

SECURE 2.0 Update: IRS Issues Proposed Rules for Qualified Retirement Plans (Part Two)—Automatic Enrollment

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

12 Feb 202512 Feb 2025

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed rules for several provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). Part One of the blog series covered catch-up contributions. This blog […]

Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation

Game Day, Your Way: Super Bowl PTO for Employees

Anne Patterson

06 Feb 202506 Feb 2025

Whether it was the super snack spread, a fourth-quarter Hail Mary, or puffy eyes from an extra heartwarming commercial, employees may struggle to go the extra mile (or yard) on Super Bowl Monday. While Super Bowl Monday hasn’t quite reached national holiday […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

SECURE 2.0 Update: IRS Issues Proposed Rules for Qualified Retirement Plans (Part One)—Catch-Up Contributions

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

05 Feb 202505 Feb 2025

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance for several provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). This blog will primarily focus on the proposed rule for qualified retirement […]

Canada Employee Benefits Health Care Mental Health U.S.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)—A Global Perspective

Eli Argueta

04 Feb 202504 Feb 2025

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) regulations vary across different countries, with Belgium, New Zealand, Spain, Canada and certain U.S. states allowing MAiD under certain circumstances. In recent years, Canada has allowed MAiD for those with irremediable illnesses causing lasting physical or psychological […]

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 […]

Education Employee Benefits SECURE 2.0 U.S.

Education Support Using Employee Benefits

Jonas Leyrer, CEBS

28 Jan 202528 Jan 2025

As education continues to be a major component of careers and professional development, the government has carved out many ways for employers to help support employees with education assistance programs. Currently, there are three sections of the tax code that are commonly […]