Health Plan Coverage and Leave Benefits Mandated by the Federal Coronavirus Act

Mar 25, 2020 Steve Chase COVID-19 Health & Welfare

President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on March 18, 2020 following its passage by both houses of Congress. FFCRA includes employer mandates for expanded leave requirements under...

Worried about Funding your Pension Plan? There are Options.

Mar 23, 2020 Jill Casey Cash Balance Plans Defined Benefit Plan COVID-19

Every sponsor of a traditional pension plan or a cash balance plan can be impacted by the effects of COVID-19. The impact of plan investment losses and decline in business revenue...

IRS Issues COVID-19 Guidance

Mar 11, 2020 Steve Chase COVID-19 Health & Welfare

In response to the rapidly developing Corona virus outbreak, the IRS has issued guidance confirming that COVID-19 testing and treatment will be considered preventive care under high deductible health plans (HDHPs). ...

Setting up your HSA Contributions

Feb 10, 2020 Hannie Spitzack Financial Education HSAs

If you have a high deductible health plan, chances are you also considered a Health Savings Account (HSA) to help pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Open enrollment has come and gone,...

Defined Benefit Plan Provisions of the SECURE Act

Jan 22, 2020 Ken Prell Regulations & Compliance

On December 20, as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) into law. It is...

DC Provisions of the Secure Act

Jan 14, 2020 Maryann Geary Regulations & Compliance

On December 19th, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) into law. This act aims to bolster retirement security with numerous provisions....

What is a Basis Point and how does it relate to the cost of VEBA/HRA Administration?

Jan 14, 2020 Karni Adamson VEBA/HRA

VEBA/HRAs are a valuable, fully tax-sheltered vehicle through which employees can be reimbursed for eligible medical expenses. The cost of administering both the VEBA Trust and claims reimbursement can be incurred...

What H.R. 1865 Means for Health Plans

Jan 09, 2020 Dan Megelick Health & Welfare

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed H.R. 1865 into law, entitled “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020.” The legislation is a sweeping funding bill that incorporates the SECURE Act’s numerous provisions...

New Year Planning

Jan 02, 2020 Melissa Varvarezis Financial Education

I usually start these blog posts with a cute little antidote about my family, a friend or even my dog. This one is missing that component, so I hope that’s not...

2019 Interest Rate Cuts Impact on Pension and Postretirement Plans

Dec 09, 2019 William Stuart Postretirement Healthcare Defined Benefit Plan

This year, we’ve seen a significant downward trend in interest rates. Although the Federal Reserve doesn’t anticipate another interest rate cut prior to year-end, the federal funds rate was reduced three...