What is the Transportation Benefits Program Act? The State of Illinois recently passed the “Transportation Benefits Program Act” that will go into effect January 1, 2024, and require employers with 50 or more employees located in specific areas to offer a pre-tax commuter benefit to “covered employees.” Employees who take advantage of the benefit can...
What you need to know about SPD WRAP A Summary Plan Description (SPD) is an ERISA requirement for most employers offering group benefits. It’s the document that outlines the details and terms of a group’s health plan in understandable language for all eligible plan participants. ERISA guidelines dictate what information is to be included, to…
It’s true that Health Savings Accounts can pay for medical expenses now, but the most powerful tax advantages and benefits come from saving the balance for later, even into retirement. With the growth in HSA popularity over the last few years, anyone looking for employee benefits has read about or heard of the triple-tax advantage…
President Biden has announced that both the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the related National Emergency, ongoing since March 2020, came to an end on May 11, 2023. As a result, the corresponding Outbreak Period will end 60 days later on July 11, 2023. Impact on our COBRA and Consumer-Driven Healthplan (CDH) clients COBRA: During…
What are the benefits of a High-Deductible Health Plan and Health Savings Account (HDHP/HSA)? Lower premiums can be one of the most significant benefits of a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). By offsetting the higher deductible, lower premiums can often save participants money in the long run. Another big benefit is the ability to partner an…
A Health Savings Account can be a powerful tool to have in your healthcare and retirement toolbox. With the cost of healthcare rising every year, it is becoming a more popular method for investing and saving for future medical expenses. So, knowing how they function has also become a topic of interest for participants and…
What is ACA Compliance? The Affordable Care Act requires organizations to offer affordable insurance with minimum essential coverage and file the corresponding forms by the designated deadlines. 2023 ACA Compliance Changes & Penalties What is the compliance threshold? The ACA mandates that large employers, those with over 50 full-time equivalent employees, offer affordable minimum value…
Why businesses are beginning to see the need. Organizations are facing more pressure than ever to strengthen their employee benefits packages to stay competitive in the marketplace, find top talent, and retain their best employees. But there’s more to consider than just offering a variety of benefits. When organizations fail to factor in compliance, the…
The beginning of the plan year is the best time to map your benefits compliance strategy. As Dale Carnegie said, “An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing.” This tip is definitely true for employee benefits compliance, and businesses are learning that it’s an unavoidable and essential aspect of maintaining a…
The IRS has announced the 2023 contribution limits for flexible spending accounts (FSA), commuter benefits, and more. Here’s a look at what’s changing. Health FSA: $3,050 (Increased from $2,850). This also applies to limited-purpose FSAs. FSA Carryover: $610 (Increased from $570). Commuter (Parking and Transit): $300 per month (Increased from $280). Dependent Care: The annual limits will remain $5,000 for single taxpayers…
What is an SPD and WRAP Document? A Summary Plan Description (SPD) contains specific information, required under federal law, describing the terms of the group health plan in a manner that is easily understood by the participants. The descriptions in an SPD include the plan name, employee eligibility requirements, employee rights and responsibilities, and more….