New proposed regulations clarify how employers should implement retirement plan eligibility rules for long-term, part-time ("LTPT") employees. While some questions remain, the proposed regulations provide a number of welcome...more
12/15/2023
/ 401k ,
403(b) Plans ,
Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
Employee Contributions ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) ,
IRS ,
New Guidance ,
Non-Discrimination Rules ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Retirement Plan ,
Safe Harbors ,
SECURE Act
Guidance on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (the "MHPAEA") recently released by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (the "Departments") proposes significant requirements for...more
10/16/2023
/ Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Fraud ,
Health Plan Sponsors ,
Mental Health ,
Mental Health Parity Rule ,
MHPAEA ,
NQTLs ,
Out of Network Provider ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Substance Abuse
Although retirement plan excessive fee cases remain an ongoing concern for plan sponsors, the recent jury trial victory for Yale in Vellali, et. al. v. Yale University, et. al. provides hope for plans with strong, prudent...more
8/16/2023
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
Breach of Duty ,
Compliance ,
Documentation ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Excessive Fees ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Governance Standards ,
Investment ,
Jury Trial ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Retirement Plan
Many plan committees will be holding their Q4 meetings soon, and should begin reviewing compliance with recently issued final rules governing investments in plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act...more
Fueled by concerns regarding investments made for environmental, social and corporate governance, or similar considerations (ESG) in retirement plans, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed amendments to the...more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued final regulations regarding electronic delivery of retirement plan documents required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The new rules only apply to...more
The U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Treasury, and Health and Human Services have issued guidance extending deadlines for COBRA, special enrollment periods, benefit claims/appeals, employer notices and other disclosures. ...more
Proposed IRS and DOL regulations have been issued expanding permitted uses for health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). These proposals follow recent regulations on association health plans, both stemming from President...more
Are you an employer with employees in Oregon? If you do not offer a retirement plan to any of your employees, read on for your obligations under a new state-run retirement savings program called OregonSaves. If you do...more
In the ever-increasing push to “go green,” many employers are opting to distribute required notices and disclosures to employees via e-mail or through website postings. Plan sponsors are asking: Can an employer rely on an...more
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Windsor v. United States holding that same-sex marriages valid under state law are now recognized at the federal level, thereby transforming the treatment of...more
7/1/2013
/ Civil Unions ,
COBRA ,
DOMA ,
Domestic Partnership ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Equal Protection ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Hollingsworth v Perry ,
Income Taxes ,
Proposition 8 ,
Retirement Plan ,
Same-Sex Marriage ,
SCOTUS ,
Standing ,
US v Windsor
News articles, social media, protests, and lunchroom conversation were all dedicated to the two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this week. Hollingsworth v. Perry and Windsor v. United States could potentially transform...more
On Nov. 6, 2012, Washington voters approved same-sex marriage in Washington state. This advisory explains the impact of this new law on employee benefit plans and procedures, and revisits the treatment of employee benefits...more