Regulatory

Compliance Employee Benefits Legislative Mental Health Regulatory

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

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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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
 

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 […]

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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
 

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 […]

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Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Flexible Work Options FMLA Health Care Human Resources (HR) Legislative Paid Leave Parental Leave Regulatory U.S.

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

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 […]

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Communication Compliance Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory

What Retirement Plan Sponsors Need to Know About Spousal Consent and Remote Witnessing
Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

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 […]

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Employee Benefits ERISA Legislative Regulatory U.S.

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

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

Three Trustee Actions During Market Volatility
Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

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 […]

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Education Benefits for Recruiting and Building Talent
Anne Patterson
 

Could education benefits help your organization recruit and retain talent? Tune into the latest Talking Benefits episode to get “schooled” on the various options available to employers in this area. The episode covers: Give it a listen to find out how your […]

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Compliance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Insurance Regulatory U.S.

It’s Coming—The End of the COVID-19 Emergencies
Amanda Wilke
 

After nearly three years, the time has finally come. The Biden administration announced that both the COVID-19 national emergency (NE) and the public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. Now it’s time for employers to prepare to unwind the […]

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