IRS, DOL issue guidance following Supreme Court decision on Defense of Marriage Act.

Success or defeat in employment litigation hinges on these five documents

The lights are out at the federal government, but what implications does the shutdown have for employers who have daily business to pursue with the federal government and agencies? EBN looked closely at employment and benefits-related issues hampered by the shutdown. Consider yourself lucky not to be the single employee left handling labor management issues – as is the case at one mostly darkened federal agency.

The three-year effort to open the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges culminates today, beset by logistical delays and efforts by Republicans to shut down the U.S. government in protest.

Benefits advisers for government contractors say employees will be impacted in the way of retirement savings and more.

Find out more on these ongoing legal spats over the Affordable Care Act and how employers are involved in the arguments.

A district court found that a claim seeking restitution to the plan for losses incurred as a result of a breach of a fiduciary duty under ERISA has the right to a jury trial. This will be an important issue to follow as the creation of a right to a jury trial could fundamentally alter the nature of ERISA litigation.

At 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 2, EBN and EBA will offer a web seminar on issues relating to ACA implementation and what they mean for employers – whether or not they plan having their workers participate in ACA marketplaces.

Privacy practices and business associates agreements should, in most cases, be updated by Sept. 23.

The Department of Labor is pushing back its timeframe for releasing a highly anticipated proposal for expanding fiduciary responsibilities for advisers who work with retirement plans.

While most employers are focused on the larger 'Obamacare' fines than be levied against a plan, they shouldn't lose sight of a slew of smaller penalties that can really add up.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted today on key legislation for brokers to practice in multiple states. Find out more and its status in the U.S. Senate.

While employers may welcome the federal guidance, there may still be state tax issues that complicate the administration of same-sex benefits.

Last week the Internal Revenue Service confirmed that they will consider a same-sex couple married for federal tax purposes if they were married in a state or foreign country that recognizes same-sex marriage regardless of where the couple resides. Here are additional details on what employers should know about and what action they should take on the recent guidance, stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling on DOMA in June.

The U.S. Department of Labor has provided guidance on Family and Medical Leave Act protections for same-sex couples. The guidance follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which fundamentally changed how the federal government treats same-sex marriages.

In response to Monday's legal reminder about the Oct. 1 ACA employee communications, we’re bringing you more information on the requirements.

In response to last week’s legal reminder about the Oct. 1 ACA employee communications, we’re bringing you more information on the requirements.

The Q&A sheds light on how the Supreme Court decision will affect income tax and estate planning issues, as well as employee benefit plans, leave policies, and other opportunities that companies give married workers.

With the recent employer mandate delay, some businesses might be overlooking the requirement to provide a notice to employees about health insurance coverage that may be available through a public exchange. Advisers should remind clients about this important requirement.

The big five vary in importance depending on the claims asserted and the underlying issues, but they’re almost always included among documents produced in employment litigation.