Word on Benefits

DOL Releases Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

27 Apr 202128 Apr 2021

Thirty-five years ago this month, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) was signed into law. COBRA provides a way for workers and their families to temporarily maintain their employer-provided health insurance during situations such as job loss or a […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care U.S.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Your Workforce—An Update

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

26 Apr 202122 Apr 2021

On Thursday, April 15, the International Foundation presented a webcast on legal considerations for employers regarding employee vaccinations. Diana Bardes, partner at Mooney, Green, Saindon, Murphy & Welch, P.C., presented an update from the January 27 webcast, COVID-19 Vaccinations and Your Workforce, […]

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Changes to Single Employer Pension Plan Funding With the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

23 Apr 202122 Apr 2021

Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have the potential to help many single employer pension plan sponsors weather the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while providing time to consider how to integrate their business and pension funding strategies, suggests […]

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Employer Support for Employees Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Julie Stich, CEBS

21 Apr 202119 Apr 2021

April is National Autism Acceptance Month. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorders affected one in 150 children in 2000; prevalence increased to one in 54 children in 2016. This climb in prevalence means it is […]

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Employee Well-Being Tips for Times of Crisis and Beyond

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

20 Apr 202119 Apr 2021

In a typical year, the top causes of stress affecting employee well-being are generally money, physical health, work and relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic, of course, is anything but typical, and it has exacerbated many of these issues and more, including mental health, […]

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Five Critical Retirement Planning Decisions You Need to Consider Today

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

15 Apr 202117 Feb 2023

Retirement planning is an important exercise for everyone. And when you have only a modest retirement nest egg, there is little room for error when planning for how to make those savings last. So what are the most important items for preretirees […]

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Fertility and Adoption Benefit Offerings in the Time of COVID

Anne Patterson

14 Apr 202113 Apr 2021

As employers across the United States examine and modify benefit offerings in response to the pandemic, fertility benefits are no exception. The pandemic has impacted families planning for a new addition in different ways, but one thing is constant—the need for employees […]

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7 Tips to Help Your Employees Build Resilience

Anne Patterson

06 Apr 202106 Apr 2021

Benefits professionals know that mental health was already a growing focus for benefit plans even before the pandemic, and now it will continue to be of heightened importance for years to come. That’s why this Employee Benefits Day, the Foundation is focusing […]

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Health Care Benefits: 20 Benchmarking Considerations for Your Plan

Justin Held, CEBS

31 Mar 202130 Mar 2021

Health care benefits remain a critical part of the relationship between employers and workers, especially during these times of rapid change and uncertainty. In addition to serving as an important financial safety net, these benefits act as a recruitment and retention tool. […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care U.S.

Employers Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives Including Paid Time Off, Cash, and More

Amanda Wilke

30 Mar 202129 Mar 2021

Most employers are encouraging, rather than mandating, employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Organizations are taking a variety of actions to encourage vaccination. According to the Littler COVID-19 Vaccine Employer Survey Report, 11% of employers plan to provide cash awards to employees […]