Employee Benefits Report – June 2021
Additional 2021 Tax Year Benefits Now Available for Employees with Dependents
The $1.9-trillion stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes major changes to the longstanding federal-income-tax child and dependent care credit.
Read on for details.
What if an Employee Refuses to Get Vaccinated?
You can fire employees who refuse to get vaccinated. Read on for details.
Alternatives to the Traditional 401(k)
One of the most popular group retirement plans is a 401(k). There are other options — such as PEPs, 403(b) and ESOPs — that might be a better fit for your company. Read on for details.
Have Proof Will Travel
Business travel came to a grinding halt for many employees after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns started in the spring of 2020.
Read on for details.
Life & Health Insurance Advisor – May 2021
Should You Use Your Credit Card to Pay Your Medical Insurance Premiums?
There are pros and cons. Read on for details.
Think You’re Too Old for Life Insurance? Think Again!
Here’s a review of the most common policies available to seniors. Read on for details.
Take Control of Prescription Costs
Prescription drug costs have become so expensive many patients are having to decide between filling a prescription or not taking it all. Read on for details.
Why It Pays to Report Insurance Fraud
Fraud costs the insurance industry more than $40 billion annually, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). To cover these losses, insurance companies pass costs along to consumers.
Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – April 2021
Federal Government Allows 401(k) Distributions for Birth or Adoption
Your employees can use their 401(k) savings to help with the costs of a qualified birth or adoption. Read on for details.
Individual vs. Group Long-Term Care Coverage for Employees
Considering whether to offer long-term care insurance to employees? How does group long-term compare to individual long-term insurance? Read on for details.
HealthCare Options for Unemployed Workers
How President Biden’s executive orders could affect health care coverage and the way we address the pandemic. Read on for details.
COVID-19: Do You Have Liability?
Lawmakers are looking into legislation to shield employers against unreasonable liability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – March 2021
New Federal Guidance for Requiring COVID Vaccinations
With some exceptions, you may legally require your employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination as long as the disease is a threat to the workplace.
Read on for details.
How to Know When Health Insurance Will Cover an Oral Procedure
How to know when an oral procedure is actually a medical procedure and not dental.
Read on for details.
More States Are Embracing Employer-Sponsored IRAs
Americans younger than 59½ will have a second chance to take money from their retirement accounts without paying a tax penalty — if they meet a new condition.
Read on for details.
401(k) Withdrawal Penalties Suspended Again
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allowed people affected by the coronavirus to withdraw or borrow up to $100,000 from their 401(k), Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or similar account without a 10 percent penalty until the end of 2020.
Read on for details.
Life & Health Insurance Advisor – February 2021
Congress Takes the Surprise Out of Surprise Billings
Congress is putting an end to surprise billing by hospitals. Read on for details.
Pros and Cons of Having Two Health Insurance Policies
If having one health insurance policy is good, is having two even better? Read on for details.
The Increased Importance of Life Insurance During the Pandemic
The popularity of life insurance has grown during the pandemic. Here’s why it’s a wise purchase. Read on for details.
Social Security Adjustments for 2021
The Social Security Administration (SSA) made two decisions regarding earning limits and cost of living increases that positively affect monthly benefits.Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – January 2021
Are Employer-Mandated COVID-19 Vaccinations Legal?
When a COVID-19 vaccination is made available to the public, should employers require employees to get the vaccination? Read on for details.
Health Care Benefit Trends for 2021
Health care in 2020 has been impacted by the pandemic and that trend is expected to continue next year. Read on for details.
Could Employer Retirement Accounts Change in a Biden Administration?
There’s talk that tax-deferred retirement plans could be replaced by a system based on tax credits. Read on for details.
What You Need to Know About Disciplining Employees for Not Social Distancing
Social distancing and mask wearing are viewed as some of the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – December 2020
Taking the High Cost of Relocation Out of the Equation
Even though Covid has made working remotely much more popular, there are still jobs that require people to work on premises. Relocation expenses for people hired in these positions can be costly. Read on for details.
What it Takes to Add Inclusion to Your Diversity Efforts
Employers have been practicing diversity in hiring for many years but are now finding that inclusion is also important. Do you know the difference?
Read on for details.
2021 Health Care Costs Could Reach Double Digits
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reports that since 2012 the cost of family coverage has increased 3 to 5 percent annually. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing that trend.
Read on for details.
Family Friendly Benefits Now Include Fertility Treatments
A new trend in employer-sponsored benefits is fertility benefits. Not only do these family friendly benefits meet employees’ needs, they save companies and individuals money.
Read on for details.
Life & Health Insurance Advisor – November 2020
Your Life Insurance Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the news media reporting daily on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, it’s not surprising that many people are concerned about whether their families will be taken care of if they contract the disease and die.
Read on for details.
Health Benefit Options for Those Who Are Disabled
Are you disabled and wondering if you qualify for health insurance at a reasonable rate? Read on for details.
Tips for Saving for Retirement — Even When Budgets are Tight
Even before the pandemic the majority of Americans didn’t have a retirement account. For many, saving for retirement is now harder than ever.
Read on for details.
Depression — No Excuse Not to See a Doctor
Many more people are depressed now than at the beginning of 2020 and experts blame the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, too many people affected by depression and other medical issues are not seeing a doctor. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – October 2020
Prescription Drug Executive Orders’ Future Unknown
Four orders have been signed, but it’s unlikely they will go into effect before the election. Read on for details about the orders and their possible impact.
Read on for details.
Managing FMLA During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has created several challenges for employers trying to determine the best way to stay in compliance with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidelines.
Read on for details.
Important Steps to Take Before Launching Your Annual Benefits Enrollment
Paper shuffling, bewildered looks, and frantic note-taking. It’s another open enrollment season — the annual 30-day period during which workers choose their benefits for the coming year
Read on for details.
Importance of Flu Shots Heightened During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Health care workers faced a difficult challenge this year — treating patients with the unpredictable COVID-19 virus.
Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – September 2020
Pros and Cons of Employees Working Remotely
With two-thirds of employees working from home at least part-time, employers are finding there are advantages and disadvantages.
Read on for details.
How the Pandemic Could Shape the Future of Health Care
The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly forced the medical community in the United States to rethink how it provides health care. In response to the crisis, new regulations have been enacted and advances in technology fast-tracked.
Read on for details.
Where the 2020 Presidential Candidates Stand on Health Care Reform
The nation’s health care system is expected to be one of the top issues for voters in the 2020 presidential election because of the declining number of Americans with health insurance, in part due to job losses, and the rise in health care and insurance costs.
Read on for details.
Be Prepared: What You Need to Know Before Offering Vision Coverage
Vision benefits are an important part of a complete health package. Providing the right benefits can boost morale and attract and retain talent.
Read on for details.
Life & Health Insurance Advisor – August 2020
Your Options if You Lose Your Employer-Sponsored Health Care Coverage
Estimates are that more than 26 million people could become uninsured due to the workplace shutdowns. Read on for details.
The Hidden Costs of $0 Premium Medicare Plans
State insurance departments are warning citizens to beware of so-called “zero premium” Medicare plans.
Read on for details.
What You Need to Know About Getting Health Insurance for Yourself — and an Employee
Yes, you can get health insurance coverage if you only have one employee (unless that employee is your spouse).
Read on for details.
How Your Credit Score Reveals Your Suitability for Life Insurance
A good credit rating can open a lot of doors. Not only can it make it easier for you to borrow money at a reasonable interest rate, but it can positively affect your ability to rent or buy a home, apply for a credit card or even get a job. Read on for details.
Employee Benefits Report – July 2020
How to Keep Employees from Raiding Retirement Funds
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc upon the finances of many employees, and some have been forced to use funds from their retirement plans.
Read on for details.
3 Challenges for Benefit Managers During the Pandemic
Providing benefit portability, helping employees manage their work/life balance and maintain financial stability can help employees during this difficult time.
Read on for details.
Mustering Employer Resources to Combat Mental Health Issues
Unfortunately, as a consequence of the work-from-home, shelter-in-place and quarantine initiatives put in place to keep us safe from COVID-19, there has been a rise in emotional distress.
Read on for details.
What to Consider Before Employees Fly the Friendly Skies Again
Now that restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being lifted, some businesses are allowing employees to travel for work again.
Read on for details.