IRS releases guidance on same sex marriage and retirement plan rollovers
Benefit advisers need to know how these two long-awaited guidance notices from the IRS will affect their employer clients.
Compliance
Benefits Think Should employers outsource to stay compliant?
Commentary: Advisers should know about options for employers to get help in the ever-changing regulatory environment.
Networking on the go gets more specific
As new social media platforms arise, there are more opportunities for brokers to act as trusted advisers.'
Diversity efforts maintains vital role in recruitment
Recruitment techniques aimed at promoting a diverse workforce have maintained a high stature among the HR professionals, where more than half report using these strategies, according to a new survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.
Bill bumping ACA to 40-hour work week passes House
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation that would modify the Affordable Care Acts definition of a full-time employee from one who works 30-hours a week to one who works 40-hours a week.
Why it’s not too late for employees to get on the exchange
Yes, the ACA open-enrollment deadline has passed. No, that doesnt mean employers cannot terminate or change their health plan because employees can still enroll on the exchange.
Employers overwhelmingly favor fiduciary standard for plan providers, advisers
Current regulations dont require a retirement plan providers investment advice be in the best interest of plan participants, but most employers want that to change, an AARP study finds.
Supreme Court hears Hobby Lobby ACA challenge
A divided U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday debated whether companies can assert religious rights, hearing arguments in an ideological clash over the Affordable Care Act and rules that promote contraceptive coverage.
GOP challenges Obamas delay of employer mandate
Republican leaders on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are challenging the Treasury Departments authority to delay the Affordable Care Acts employer mandate, calling it a political move directed by President Obama ahead of the November elections.
New York City Mayor signs new paid sick leave law
Starting April 1, New York Citys newly minted paid sick leave law mandating coverage for all workers at businesses with five or more employees will take effect. Expectations by city government officials highlight that paid sick leave will now be secured for 500,000 or more New Yorkers.
2 choices, 1 decision: Hiring a third-party fiduciary
Being a retirement plan fiduciary carries a heavy weight and lots of responsibility. Breaches of such responsibilities can result in both civil and criminal action, though the latter is rare and usually the result of egregious behavior. Fortunately, retirement plan sponsors have a growing menu of options to help them manage their fiduciary obligations and offset some of their legal liabilities.
New HHS rule could exempt your client from ACA reinsurance fee
Under the Department of Health and Human Services final rule issued March 5 on the reinsurance fee imposed under the Affordable Care Act, some employers may be exempt in 2015 or 2016. Is your client exempt?
Dumping your spouse
Rising health care costs are driving employers to audit their covered dependents to eliminate working spouses.
DOL asks for comments on 401(k) fee disclosure guide
The Department of Labor requested public comments this week on a proposal to amend its 408(b)(2) fee disclosure regulations to require service providers to provide plan sponsors with a guide for navigating fee disclosure documents.
Insurance firms seek escape from U.S. bank capital rules
Insurance companies will urge U.S. lawmakers today to stop the Federal Reserve from imposing bank-like capital standards on their industry.
Protecting employee personal data is a team sport
A panel including a security specialist and FTC privacy staffer talked Monday at an American Payroll Association meeting about common mistakes employers make with their employees personal data and what the right make-up of a privacy team at a company should look like.
Benefits Think Fear the DOL health plan audit
Commentary: Game on at the DOL means game on for employers. Are your employers prepared for a DOL audit? Are you prepared to advise them on what an audit involves and the fines for non-compliance?
Preparing for an EBSA audit
Whether being subject to an involuntary EBSA Audit, or undertaking a voluntary correction program, there are certain things a plan sponsor should be looking for (and looking out for) if they are going to have the EBSA nosing around their plans. The EBSA recently held an online seminar about things to anticipate in an EBSA investigation and here are some things that are important to remember.
ACA compliance triggers outsourcing scrutiny
With the Affordable Care Act looming large, employers turn to benefit outsourcing to keep their plans compliant.
National broker licensing bureau gets silent treatment from Congress
An organization that could impact the work lives of agents and brokers who are licensed in multiple states was supposed to be included in the flood insurance bill that passed the U.S. House Tuesday evening, but the language for it was left out. What happened, and are brokers invested in this idea anyway?