Legislative Archives - 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 Employee Benefits Legislative Mental Health Regulatory

New Mental Health Parity Guidance: More Clarity, But More Compliance Obligations

Anne Newhouse

27 Sep 202327 Sep 2023

According to speaker John Barlament, Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C., in his webcast “New Mental Health Parity Guidance: More Clarity, But More Compliance Obligations,” held on August 30, 2023, new guidance has been “desperately needed” on the topic of mental health […]

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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 […]

Employee Benefits ERISA Legislative Retirement

Legal & Legislative Reporter: Failure to Satisfy ERISA Requirements Dismisses Future Disability Benefits

Guest Contributor

30 Aug 202330 Aug 2023

Every month, the International Foundation releases the Legal and Legislative Reporter, a compilation of new employee benefits-related case summaries. Below is a summary we thought you’d be interested in. Content provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The U.S. District Court for the […]

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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know

Anne Patterson

03 Jul 202303 Jul 2023

Last week, a new U.S. law took effect requiring fair accommodations for pregnant Americans. My ears perked up not only as an employee benefits enthusiast but because I’m about to welcome my second child next month and am on high alert for […]

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 […]

Employee Benefits ERISA Legislative Regulatory U.S.

Legal and Legislative Reporter: Defendant Administrator Erroneously Denied Plaintiff’s LTD Benefits Claims

Guest Contributor

28 Apr 202328 Apr 2023

Every month, the International Foundation releases the Legal and Legislative Reporter, a compilation of new employee benefits–related case summaries. Below is a summary we thought you’d be interested in. Content provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The U.S. District Court for the […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits HIPAA Insurance Legislative Regulatory

The End of the COVID-19 Emergencies Arrives Early

Amanda Wilke

12 Apr 202318 Apr 2023

This blog has been updated with new information from the previous version published on April 12, 2023. President Biden signed H.R. Res. 7 on Monday, April 10, 2023, to end the national emergency (NE) for COVID-19, effective immediately. Although the NE ended […]