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 […]

Inclusive Family-Forming Benefits: Surrogacy Reimbursement Programs

Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

Fertility and family-forming benefits are top of mind for many organizations, whether it’s to stay competitive in attracting and retaining key talent or match benefits to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. Surrogacy reimbursement programs are one such benefit that may particularly […]

The Rise of Gender-Affirmation Health Care Benefits

Anne Patterson
 

Gender-affirmation health care benefit offerings have been on the rise over the past seven years, according to survey data from the International Foundation. Up from 12 percent in 2016, 30 percent of U.S. employers now offer the benefit. I spoke with Julie […]

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 […]

Magazine Extra: The Challenges of Long COVID—And Benefit Design Strategies That Can Help

Guest Contributor
 

Benefits Magazine Extras articles provide you with bonus content on a mix of benefits topics as well as deep dives and analysis on the latest benefit trends and compliance issues. Visit www.ifebp.org/benefitsmagazine to see the latest Magazine Extra as well as the bimonthly print edition. […]

Family Mental Health: How We Can Adapt and Better Understand Together

Tim Hennessy
 

Social exclusion, the closure of daycare centers and schools, and job insecurity combined to produce conditions at home and in the workplace that have never been seen before the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had major effects on […]

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 […]