ERISA Archives - Word on Benefits

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 […]

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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 […]

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Benefit Plan Laws and Rules on Our 2025 Watchlist

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

16 Jan 202516 Jan 2025

Did you know there are at least 40 potential areas of employee benefit plan regulations and legislation to watch in 2025 and beyond? That’s how many I counted while attending the International Foundation webcast, Legislative and Regulatory Update—What Could Be Coming in […]

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MHPAEA Final Rules Amending NQTL Standard

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

01 Oct 202401 Oct 2024

On September 9, 2024, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and the Treasury released new final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The final rules set forth content requirements and timeframes for […]

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Celebrating 50 Years of ERISA: An Interview With Phyllis Borzi

Anne Patterson

29 Aug 202429 Aug 2024

The traditional 50th anniversary gift is gold, and the latest Talking Benefits podcast episode shined just like the glittery metal, paying homage to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA was signed into law by Gerald Ford almost 50 […]

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Looking Back on ERISA’s Journey

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

26 Aug 202426 Aug 2024

Nearly 50 years ago—on September 2, 1974—President Gerald Ford signed the Employee Income Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) into law. The International Foundation has been providing education on this landmark legislation ever since. That education includes ERISA Insights: Voices From the Early […]

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Fiduciary Basics for Governmental Plans

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

20 Aug 202420 Aug 2024

Plan sponsors have a responsibility to protect the interests of employee and retiree participants in their benefit plans. Government plan sponsors for 457 and 401(a) defined contribution (DC) retirement plans should be aware of fiduciary basics and the latest trends to protect […]

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The Supreme Court and the Chevron Doctrine: Key Takeaways for Employee Benefit Plans

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

14 Aug 202414 Aug 2024

Employee benefit plan sponsors and administrators may feel the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the so-called Chevron doctrine for many years to come, predicts Katherine Hesse, CEBS, an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) attorney. Hesse, who is […]

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ERISA Preemption 101

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

31 Jul 202401 Aug 2024

Hailed by its authors as the law’s “crowning glory” or “crowning jewel,” the preemption clause in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) was designed to help simplify employee benefits administration for multistate employers. But what does ERISA preemption mean? […]

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Understanding ERISA Liability in the Context of Pharmacy Benefits

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

17 Jul 202417 Jul 2024

Fiduciary responsibility has always been a concern for retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The language on the Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Responsibilities webpage explains, “The primary responsibility of fiduciaries is to run the […]