ACA reporting: A must-do for benefit advisers
ACA reporting becomes mandatory in 2016. Preparing employers to be compliant with reporting requirements is a core service that advisers should be offering, industry experts say.
Health insurance
PBGC pays nearly $6B in benefits to retirees
Deficits rose for both single-employer and multiemployer programs, a new report finds. Yet, the pension community is hopeful the new PBGC director will create a better future.
An in-depth look at Montanile v. Board of Trustees
Commentary: The benefits community should pay close attention to this ERISA case and should be prepared to quickly adapt procedures according to the Supreme Courts forthcoming ruling, which is expected by June 2016.
Supreme Court rulings to watch for in 2016
The benefits industry is awaiting several rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States expected in 2016 that could have far-reaching effects on the administration and cost of operating employee benefit plans.
SCOTUS to weigh in on health plan reimbursement case
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Montanile v. Board of Trustees of the National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan and will determine if, under ERISA, a reimbursement to an employee benefit plan can be recovered if the beneficiary has already spent the funds he or she recovered from a third party.
SCOTUS to weigh in on health plan reimbursement case
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Montanile v. Board of Trustees of the National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan and will determine if, under ERISA, a reimbursement to an employee benefit plan can be recovered if the beneficiary has already spent the funds he or she recovered from a third party.
PBGC rate increases will create a ripple effect through the whole system
Single-employer premiums are set to increase, which could lead to fewer pension plans, resulting in less demand for DB consultants, ERIC CEO says.
CMS public exchange agent hotline falling short of expectations
A new hotline for agents and brokers will not be able to answer specific questions from agents about their clients, disappointing broker organizations, which expected a hotline similar to what navigators have.
DB plan sponsors face higher PBGC premiums with budget bill
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, passed Wednesday by the House of Representatives, is causing concern in retirement circles after a pension provision was added that raises the amount of money employers must pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. for pension insurance.
Benefits Think Is it time to revisit your election leave policies?
While the presidential election is still a year away, employers must be mindful of smaller elections that take place across the state and municipal levels. Elections, however small, may trigger an employers obligations to give employees leave to vote.
How should employers handle employee alcohol abuse?
Commentary: If an employer fires someone because they know or suspect the employee is an alcoholic, that action could result in an ADA claim. Here are five things employers need to know about employee alcohol abuse.
Benefits Think The science behind ‘the magic thank you note’
Commentary: Hundreds asked adviser Eric Silverman for the secret to his prospect-winning thank you note. Now, he shares the formula to his success.
Eric Silverman
Voluntary Benefits
Cost of ACA health premiums are climbing
Premiums for the second-lowest-cost silver plans are going up by an average of 7.5% next year in the 37 states that use a U.S.-run website, HHS says.
Specific steps employers are taking to fend off the Cadillac tax
The ACAs 2018 Cadillac tax looms large in the minds of employers and benefit experts have already begun to see trends in the plan design options and benefit offering changes employers have made to avoid the hefty excise tax.
DOL to issue proposal to help states avoid ERISA
Guidelines that will offer assistance for states that want to avoid or embrace the Employee Retirement Income Security Act are expected to be released by the end of the year, Borzi says.
Massachusetts sick time law: What employers need to know
Massachusetts implemented a sick leave law earlier this year. Employers in other states may want to take note.
With nearly one-third of ACA CO-OPs gone, how solvent are those that remain?
Challenges are on the horizon for the non-profits, created by the Affordable Care Act presenting issues as well for the brokers who work with them.
Technical glitch costly for Vermont exchange
A technical glitch with Vermont Health Connect dating back two years was finally corrected in a recent software upgrade, but it proved to be both time-consuming and costly for the state-based health insurance exchange described as once-beleaguered.
Advisers lobby Congress for same treatment as navigators
Brokers and agents are meeting with senators in an effort to garner support for the Equalizing the Playing Field for Agents and Brokers Act, which aims to offer advisers the same access to marketplace enrollment information as is available to navigators and certified assisters.
Benefits Think The myth about mandatory participation for voluntary benefits
Commentary: Many employers are struggling to get employees to enroll in voluntary programs; busy workers often dont take the time to understand whats being offered.