SEC settles enforcement action for overly restrictive confidentiality agreement
The Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1 announced it had settled an enforcement action over an employers use of a restrictive confidentiality agreement.
Compliance
Should states step in if subsides are ruled illegal?
States should not step in and establish their own exchanges if subsides are ruled illegal on the federal health care marketplace, a recent national study found, but industry experts say that is not the national consensus and point to the wording of poll questions to support the discrepancy.
DOL delays new SBC template
The federal government has delayed implementing proposed changes to the Affordable Care Acts Summary of Benefits and Coverage until January 2016.
IRS form mistake could be taxing for Nevadans
Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesnt just stay on the Strip it blows across the Sagebrush State like a wayward tumbleweed. Case in point: Nevada Health Link enrollees have been reporting mistakes on the 1095-A IRS forms to calculate their premium tax credit on the federally supported state-based HIX.
How much does MLR harm brokers?
The decrease in compensation is negligible since the medical loss ratio took effect, study finds, but other industry organizations disagree.
Congressional support sought for health information technology
Lawmakers are pushing through several pieces of legislation that encourage better health information technology, especially interoperability, which will help reduce medical errors.
Benefits Think FMLA extension could be stepping stone to more DOL benefits involvement
Commentary: While these FMLA changes dont require any immediate action or changes to employers benefit plans, they could serve as a catalyst for federal officials and agencies to further extend their reach into benefits programs, says Sam Fleet.
Samuel Fleet
AmWINS Group Benefits
Top 5 Form 1095-A questions
For many taxpayers, their first introduction to the ACA may be the Form 1095-A that they receive in the mail, and bring with them or forget to bring with them to their tax preparer. Many have questions about the form, and state exchange call centers have been inundated with inquiries. Here are top five questions being asked about Form 1095-A.
FMLA same-sex rule on hold
A federal district court granted a preliminary injunction on Thursday ordering the Department of Labor to postpone the application of a rule that would have extended Family and Medical Leave Act benefits to same-sex married couples even in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage.
Repeated 401(k) lawsuits will end shady looking practice, experts predict
Continued lawsuits over excessive 401(k) fees are on track to force providers to change the way they deliver products and end a practice that appears to be a showcase of impropriety.
SBC changes: What employers need to know
Michelle Capezza, a member of law firm Epstein Becker Green, highlights new changes to the ACA's Summary of Benefits and Coverage and what steps plan sponsors should be taking to prepare.
DOL makes good on promise of ERISA plan criminal investigations
The DOL has stayed true to a planned increased in enforcement and investigation of ERISA criminal violations, including indictments of employers and service providers, that should serve as a cautionary tale for any individual involved with the administration of these plans.
Benefits Think Benefit considerations and the contingent workforce
Worker misclassification can have serious repercussions that could quickly accumulate into the millions of dollars in fines, not to mention back payment of taxes and other related benefits.
Andrew Schultz
PRO Unlimited
401(k) suits draw employee attention to fees, fiduciary duty
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against employer-sponsored retirement plans in the past few years because plan participants are getting more savvy about things like fees and fiduciary duty, thanks in part to the Department of Labors recent focus on both issues.
Mediation program alternative to costly EEOC litigation
Several myths surround the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions mediation program yet it can, in some cases, help employers avoid costly and time-consuming litigation.
Benefits Think Swarm of litigation rocks 401(k) space
Over the past eight years, 13 pending or settled cases have accused companies of failing to act in the best interests of employees participating in 401(k) retirement plans. In the midst of this, how can employers be sure their retirement funds are safe?
Brian Menickella
The Beacon Group of Companies
Does your plan reflect the new definition of spouse?
Commentary: Employers who start revising their FMLA policies to address this change should also use it as an opportunity to review their benefit plan language to make sure it accurately reflects the updated definition.
Know whos receiving benefits and if they should be
Controlling rising health care costs is crucial for all employers, and conducting regular dependent eligibility audits can help.
ERISA equitable relief: Reversing Rochow
The 6th Circuit recently reversed Rochow v. Life Ins. Co. of N. America in an en banc opinion. The new decision determined that unless there is a showing that that the remedy for denial of benefits under 502(a)(1)(B) is inadequate to make plaintiff whole, equitable relief under Section 502(a)(3) is unavailable.
Your clients want compliance help now more than ever
Advisers need to stay current on technology regulations to help employers, many of which are using multiple IT systems a strategy that could lead to penalties.