dependent care Archives - Word on Benefits

Four Benefits That Increase Worker Productivity

Justin Held, CEBS

09 Mar 202310 Mar 2023

In a recent International Foundation wellness survey, respondents were asked about company culture issues that are impacting workforce productivity. Far and away, the most cited issue was worker stress. Another commonly cited issue was poor work-life balance. Responding organizations are recognizing the […]

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Dependent Eligibility Audits – What Are They and Why Should You Consider Conducting One?

Julie Stich, CEBS

13 Dec 202213 Dec 2022

Anyone who works with health care benefit plans knows that costs keep going up. They also know they have a responsibility to make sure the plan is sustainable. Add into that the ERISA responsibility to make sure the plan’s terms are followed. […]

Dependent Care Employee Benefits Insurance

Questions Parents Are Asking About the Age 26 Mandate and Disabled Adult Dependents

Amanda Wilke

11 Nov 202111 Nov 2021

The passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the age 26 mandate eased the stress of finding health insurance for many parents of adult children. Our previous blog, 9 Questions Parents Are Asking About the Age 26 Mandate, answers questions that […]

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

Dependent Care Accounts and the Taxation of Carryover Amounts

Anne Newhouse

23 Jun 202121 Jun 2021

Beginning in March of 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released several pieces of guidance to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on employees who have flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistance program (DCAP) accounts and were unable to use the […]

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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. […]

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How the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Impacts Dependent Care Assistance Programs

Anne Newhouse

24 Mar 202119 Apr 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes an optional (but not required) temporary change for the calendar year of 2021 to increase the maximum pretax contribution limit from $5,000 to $10,500 for dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs). For individuals who are […]

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COVID-19: How Do We Navigate Work Through the Pandemic in 2021?

Anne Patterson

04 Feb 202102 Feb 2021

Welcome to our first Talking Benefits episode of 2021! My fellow “pod squad” members Justin Held, Julie Stich and I engaged in more COVID-19 chatter during the most recent podcast episode. In this discussion, we focused on four main areas. 1. Benefits […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Legislative U.S.

Finally—Additional Relief for Dependent Care Assistance Programs Due to COVID-19

Anne Newhouse

21 Jan 202123 Mar 2021

[Update: IRS Notice 2021-15, which was released on March 2, 2021, clarifies the application of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, on dependent care assistance programs under Section 125 cafeteria plans.] At last, there is legislation to help plan sponsors and participants with […]

DIVORCE Managing Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Benefits

D-I-V-O-R-C-E (Part 3) – Managing Flexible Spending Accounts

Amanda Wilke

03 Dec 201902 Dec 2019

As the old country song by Tammy Wynette demonstrates, what happens during a divorce can be tough to spell out. Divorce can be the source of great confusion for many, including employers. They have a number of actions to take related to […]

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21 Ways Employers Are Helping Workers Achieve Work/Life Balance

Justin Held, CEBS

07 Feb 201923 Jan 2020

Nearly two in five organizations would rate their workforces as extremely or very stressed, and worker stress levels have climbed in the last two years, a recent International Foundation study found. Recognizing the negative impact stress can have on worker performance, many […]