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Last year is ended on a high note, at least in terms of one economic indicator: the nation’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent in December. Despite that good news, many states are still experiencing record unemployment; this rampant unemployment was the number one issue addressed by state legislatures this past year. Here is a […]
Employers now have the option of allowing plan participants to roll over up to $500 in unused FSA funds at the end of each plan year, under a new regulatory interpretation on health flexible spending accounts, the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS announced Oct. 31. Employers are free to change their plan designs accordingly for […]
By Greg Autuori, manager, Benefits Consulting, at Namely You made it. Somehow, some way, you found a way to make sure your company was compliant with the first year of IRC 6055/6056 reporting regulations and associated distribution of Forms 1094/1095. This was a monumental task, and over the past year, there’s a good chance you’ve […]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a notice of proposed rulemaking and an interpretive bulletin meant to guide states as they create Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-compliant programs that help more workers save for retirement.
When Eugene Quinn applied to be a Los Angeles police officer, he failed the medical exam because of a hearing impairment. But due to a clerical error, he was told to report for further training exams, which he passed. Quinn graduated from the police academy and was assigned to patrol duty before his hearing problem […]
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady BLR founder and CEO Bob Brady ponders the probable passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and the impact it will have on readers, and he suggests one step all organizations can take today. When candidate Obama was looking for votes, he praised the Employee Free Choice Act, […]
Based on the cost of living, the IRS has increased for 2009 the maximum contribution levels for health savings accounts (HSAs) and out-of-pocket spending limits for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that must be used in conjunction with HSAs. For 2009, the maximum annual HSA contribution for individuals is $3,000 and $5,950 for families. Catch-up contributions […]
Employers have a lot to worry about these days. Fortunately, the expiration of the marketplace notice form issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) isn’t something else to add to the list. The form, New Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options and Your Health Coverage, comes in two versions: one for employers that offer some […]
by Mark Schickman Look around your workplace, and you will see baby boomers who are rethinking their retirement plans. They have had their anniversary date in 2010 circled on their calendars for a decade, they have bought their retirement condo, and they have calculated the rate of investment return that allows their retirement fund to […]
By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Just My E-pinion Our recent survey Benefits for Part-Time Employees indicates a dramatic increase in the number of organizations that offer benefits to part-time employees. In addition, 28 percent of respondents report an increase in the number of part-time employees. Looks like part-time work is coming of age. Nearly all […]