Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Be Aware of Common Mistakes in Employee Retirement Plans

Many employers regularly perform voluntary plan audits that can uncover errors. However, you can spot errors without a third-party audit. Below are some of the most common employee benefits and retirement plan mistakes.

Attrition

More Money, More Problems (When You Terminate an Employee)

One of the most common questions we receive is what an employer can do when an employee is terminated and owes the company money. In response, our clients hear one of the most common phrases in this area of the law—no good deed goes unpunished. Below are some guiding principles regarding employer benefits and employee […]

health

Employee Participation in High Deductible Health Plans Grew More Than 60% in 2017

Rising healthcare costs continue to plague employers and employees alike, so it should come as no surprise that participation in high deductible health plans (HDHP) grew by more than 60% last year. A new report reveals which areas of the United States are most impacted by rising healthcare costs and highlights the types of voluntary […]

Should You Allow Employees to Sleep on the Job?

Not everyone gets a good night’s rest. From home obligations to stress, there are seemingly hundreds of reasons why your employees may not be getting the necessary shut-eye each night. Almost all of us have felt the urge to take a quick refreshing nap during the day, and many sleep experts agree that it can […]

ERISA

Court Vacates $16M Judgment Against Cigna for Recouping Overpayments

A federal appeals court vacated a judgment totaling more than $16 million against a health plan administrator for its actions in attempting to recoup overpayments to an out-of-network hospital. The case is Conn. Gen’l Life Ins. Co. v. Humble Surgical Hosp., LLC, 878 F.3d 478 (5th Cir., Dec. 19, 2017).

retirement

TCJA Removes Some Disaster Damage from Safe Harbor 401(k) Hardship Eligibility

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 enacted in February relaxed certain restrictions on hardship withdrawals from 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans (see, New Federal Budget Relaxes Hardship Withdrawals for Retirement Plan Participants), starting in 2019. But defined contribution (DC) retirement plan sponsors also should be aware that, in contrast, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs […]

financial wellness

Financial Wellness: 5 Tips to Engage Employees

Financial stress of employees costs the U.S. $250 billion in lost time. According to a recent Mercer financial wellness survey, 62% of the employees surveyed were worried about just keeping up with monthly expenses. So what choices do you and your employees have to combat financial stress?