New legislation could be a boon to debt assistance benefits
The Employer Participation in Repayment Act would give employers a tax break for providing employees up to $5,250 a year for education loans.
Law and regulation
Benefits Think How to avoid costly beneficiary designation litigation
A recent federal district court opinion in Florida demonstrates the potential pitfalls that plan administrators may face with respect to disputes over status, explains attorney Kathy Aizawa.
Kathy Aizawa
Foley & Lardner LLP
Benefits Think How to avoid costly beneficiary designation litigation
A recent federal district court opinion in Florida demonstrates the potential pitfalls that plan administrators may face with respect to disputes over status, explains attorney Kathy Aizawa.
Kathy Aizawa
Foley & Lardner LLP
Benefits Think Fiduciary rule delay gives plan sponsors more time to ask crucial questions
Advisers should be prepared to explain what they have to gain from the client relationship, no matter how federal regulation ultimately unfolds.
John Ludwig
LHD Retirement
Wellness bill debate highlights privacy vs. results
While supporters praise the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act’s consistent view of incentives across various laws, critics worry about patient discrimination.
Benefits Think How to conquer the unique challenges of university plans
Too many recordkeepers, complex contract structure, and a flood of investment options impede updates to best practices, warns John Ludwig.
John Ludwig
LHD Retirement
MARC offers support for Medicare Secondary Payer reform bill
Due to convoluted prescription drug plan reimbursement responsibilities, the coalition is behind a new law meant to improve the MSP program in Medicare Part D.
Benefits Think How to conquer the unique challenges of university plans
Too many recordkeepers, complex contract structure, and a flood of investment options impede updates to best practices, warns John Ludwig.
John Ludwig
LHD Retirement
What do the DOL proposed budget cuts mean for employers?
The Labor Department will lose $2.6 billion under the 2018 budget, likely hindering the agency’s ability to regulate and assist employers, experts say.
Benefits Think Using administrative exhaustion as a defense to statutory ERISA claims
Seven circuit courts held that vindication of rights pertaining to the legality of a plan amendment, as opposed to an interpretation of the plan, are not subject to expenditure requirements, write attorneys Michael Stevens and Ronald Kramer.
Michael W. Stevens
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Republicans take aim at California’s retirement dream
State efforts to get more workers to save are the target of lawmakers who say the auto-IRA programs burden employers and skirt the rules.
Wellness bill debate highlights privacy vs. results
While supporters praise the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act’s consistent view of incentives across various laws, critics worry about patient discrimination.
AFL-CIO ready to sue If Trump waters down overtime regulations
Union president Richard Trumka says that anything that dilutes the rule is bad and taking Obama’s overtime expansion away from even one worker could have devastating consequence.
New legislation proposes easing wellness program regulations
Rules put in place by the EEOC, HIPAA, GINA and ADA on funding and incentivizing have proved to be labyrinthine for wellness consultants and employers.
Benefits Think CBO estimate of AHCA impact on employer-sponsored benefits is off the mark
The Congressional Budget Office’s assessment that 7 million fewer Americans will have health coverage at work by 2027 ignores other opportunities proposed by the GOP, says CIAB’s Joel Wood.
Joel Wood
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Healthcare vote canceled as House GOP balks at bill
Republicans scrapped a vote on the embattled American Health Care Act bill Friday due to opposition from moderates and conservatives, just a day after President Trump demanded a do-or-die vote on it.
Business as usual for industry as advisers await health reform action
As lawmakers continue to debate the American Health Care Act, brokers are keeping their sights on the impact to clients.
Business as usual for industry as employers await health reform action
As lawmakers continue to debate the American Health Care Act, employers are keeping their focus on quality care for employees.
Benefits Think DOL edges toward delay on expanded conflict of interest rule
Advisers could get more clarity thanks to a temporary enforcement policy for the new Fiduciary Rule.
Patricia Plavko
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Benefits Think Senate should rein in states’ retirement plans
State-government mismanagement, especially of pensions, has already created a danger that federal bailouts will become inevitable.
Ramesh Ponnuru
Bloomberg View