Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Health plan

How to Help Your Employees Help You Manage Healthcare Costs

When buying appliances, electronics, or jewelry, 81% of consumers extensively research and compare prices and financing offers before making their choice. This approach is in stark contrast to how most consumers approach health care—arguably a much more important decision to make. More than half of U.S. workers spend less than 30 minutes signing up for […]

Best Practices in Employee Wellness Wearables

Wearable devices like activity trackers have shown the potential to enhance employee participation in wellness programs, but getting the most out of a device requires more than simply asking employees to use it, a recent study found.

Wellness programs

IRS Warns Against Using Wellness Incentives to Skirt Employment Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking to discourage arrangements in which employees can obtain large wellness incentive payments in exchange for a relatively minor after-tax contribution. Contrary to their promoters’ claims, these setups cannot enable employers to finance wellness incentives solely by reducing their employment tax liability, the IRS warned.

Defined benefit retirement plan

PBGC Removes Change in Credit Quality as Possible Trigger for Early Warning Program Review

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) in early May clarified guidance issued in late 2016 about its Early Warning Program (EWP), explaining that the program had not been expanded and such a review for an employer’s defined benefit (DB) retirement plan would not be triggered solely by a change in credit quality.

Missouri

Court Holds Missouri TV Station to Oral Agreement Despite Unclear Bonus Terms

In Missouri, it has long been settled that for a contract to be valid and enforceable, the essential terms must be definite and mutually agreed upon by both contracting parties. Without certainty in the crucial terms, there can be no mutual understanding between the parties and, therefore, no valid contract. However, a recent decision from […]