Author Blog Post Archive
On May 12, the IRS issued 2 separate Notices that address relief for section 125 plans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in the maximum carryover for health care flexible spending accounts. While the guidance in both of these Notices is permissive and not required, employers and plan sponsors will want to […]
On April 29, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued Disaster Relief Notice 2020-01, as well as a proposed final rule that would extend certain timeframes applicable to employee benefit plans and their participants and beneficiaries, including special enrollment timeframes, COBRA deadlines, and ERISA claims procedure deadlines in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The guidance is […]
On April 1, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued temporary regulations intended to implement the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSL) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The effective date of these regulations was April 1, and they expire on December 31, 2020. The […]
On March 27th, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). This is primarily an economic stimulus package; however, there are certain employee benefit-related items. This issue of the Benefit Minute discusses these items and provides a brief overview of certain other major provisions.
The Department of Labor has issued additional Questions and Answers providing more compliance assistance for implementation of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSL) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Highlights of the additional DOL Questions and Answers are discussed below.
On March 24, 2020, the Department of Labor issued Questions and Answers addressing certain aspects of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSL) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This is the first round of compliance assistance regarding the new law, and […]
On March 18th, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act). The relief granted by the Act is very specific. Effective no later than April 2, 2020, the Act will provide short-term financial support in the form of paid leave to individuals employed by covered employers (private employers with fewer […]
Under ERISA, a health plan fiduciary is any individual who has discretionary authority in administering or managing a group health plan or controlling plan assets. A group health plan must have at least one named fiduciary which will generally be the employer, acting through individuals such as company officers or a plan administration committee. However, […]
Set forth below are some recent updates as we begin 2020.