In general, employee benefits end when workers separate from employment, regardless of the reason for the separation. Unused balances in health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), dependent care FSAs and health reimbursement arrangements(HRAs) are typically forfeited, subject to a run-out period…
Form 5500 Deadline Is July 31 Each year, employers that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) must electronically file an annual report (Form 5500) for each employee benefit plan they maintain unless a filing…
Most employers in California are subject to several workplace safety requirements under Cal/OSH. These include a mandate to establish, implement and maintain an effective injury and illness prevention program (IIPP). In addition, as of July 1, 2024, a new law, Senate Bill (SB) 553, requires employers to include a written workplace violence prevention (WVP) plan as a component of their IIPPs. SB 553 also requires employers to:
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans maintained by private-sector employers. Under ERISA, employer-sponsored welfare benefit plans, such as group health plans, must be described in…
In November 2023, Zywave conducted its 2023 Attraction and Retention Employee Pulse Survey to collect employers’ insights into attraction and retention challenges, workplace strategies and voluntary benefits utilization. More than 130 employers responded to the nationwide survey from various industries,…
In fast-paced and demanding work environments, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. Employees who are mentally well are more productive, engaged and satisfied with their jobs. Mental health treatment, including therapy, medication and self-care, can help people who…
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s (KFF’s) 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey revealed that workers and employers alike are paying more for job-based health insurance this year. In 2023, the average premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance were $8,435 for single coverage and…
To get ready for open enrollment, employers who sponsor group health plans should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2024. These changes…
Currently, healthcare costs in the United States are high and rising, outpacing inflation and wage increases. While many employers had relatively lower claim costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical plan costs are approaching pre-pandemic levels as healthcare utilization rebounds. Other…
As talent shortages persist across industries, an increasing number of employers are grappling with the need to adapt to the “new normal” to address this challenge effectively. HR departments are encountering a significant shift in which they find themselves dealing…