Word on Benefits

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 […]

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Three Trustee Actions During Market Volatility

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Apr 202310 Apr 2023

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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Three Ways to Celebrate National Employee Benefits Day Today

Anne Patterson

06 Apr 202306 Apr 2023

If you’re reading this, you probably work in employee benefits—which means today, National Employee Benefits Day (NEBD), is all about YOU! It’s a day to take a step back, look at the incredible work you do for plan participants, and know your […]

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Money Savvy Kids: How Plan Sponsors Can Help Build Financial Capability for Families

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

04 Apr 202304 Apr 2023

April is National Financial Capability Month in the U.S., which represents an opportunity for employers and plan sponsors to help their employees and plan participants boost their money skills. One audience, however, that employers may not typically consider for financial education is […]

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The State of Multiemployer Health Plans: Ten Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

30 Mar 202330 Mar 2023

The median cost of benefits for multiemployer health plans increased 4.7% from 2017 to 2018, reaching $11,642 per participant per year (PPPY), according to a new International Foundation report. The consistent increases in costs over the ten-year period required increases in employer […]

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Where We Are Now: Special Financial Assistance Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

28 Mar 202328 Mar 2023

From capital market return expectations to the rules that cover the program, a lot has changed in the two years since the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law and created the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program for struggling multiemployer pension […]

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Education Benefits for Recruiting and Building Talent

Anne Patterson

22 Mar 202322 Mar 2023

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

Amanda Wilke

21 Mar 202321 Mar 2023

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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Legal & Legislative Reporter: Third Party Administrator Liable for Violation of ACA Antidiscrimination Provision

Guest Contributor

16 Mar 202316 Mar 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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Rethinking Gender: How Benefit Plans, Sponsors and Trustees Can—And Must—Adapt

Alyssa Hodder

15 Mar 202315 Mar 2023

How does the move toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) impact benefits plans? It’s a game changer, but there are still hurdles that the group insurance industry needs to overcome. A panel at the International Foundation’s Canadian Health and Wellness Innovations […]