The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a
directive changing the required fall protection systems for
residential construction. This directive, effective June 16,
2011, requires the use of conventional fall protection systems in
residential construction activities six...
As Employers look ahead to 2011 plan years, they're raising questions to understand the affect health-care reform will have on current and future employee benefits plans. What changes, if any, apply to our group plan? Do I have to may all changes now? Is our plan Grandfathered; if so, does that...Read More »
Many employers are in the midst of planning for 2011. When looking over operating costs, one area of concern is the expense of offering employee benefits insurance. With the continued uncertainty in the economy and the mounting changes from healthcare reform, it can be a lot to consider.
Many...Read More »
According to a recent WorldatWork survey, employers plan a 2.5 percent average increase in salary budgets next year, with average raises of up to 0.7 percent projected for low performers, 2.4 percent for middle performers, and 3.7 percent for top performers. Employee compensation is a critical...
Read More »In a time of much uncertainty surrounding the healthcare reform, according to a June 14th PricewaterhouseCoopers, 'Behind the Numbers Report', employer costs are estimated to increase around 9%. The good news is this is a drop of 0.5% from 2010 growth rate. What are the primary contributors?
On...Read More »
On June 14,2010, The IRS, U.S. Department of Labor and HHS released
guidance on what Grandfathered Plans.
Grandfathered plans are fully-insured or self-funded health plans that existed on March 23,2010. Many within the Benefits Community were waiting for guidance to how what changes, if any, could...Read More »
Grandfathered plans are fully-insured or self-funded health plans that existed on March 23,2010. Many within the Benefits Community were waiting for guidance to how what changes, if any, could...Read More »
Section 1251 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), preserves the ability of consumers to maintain existing coverage by “grandfathering” existing group health or individual plans where individuals were enrolled as of March 23, 2010. In addition, it allows:
- Addition of family...
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury issued the Interim Final Rules for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers relating to Dependent Coverage of Children to Age 26. This is what you need to know today.
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, group...
Read More »
For employers, employee retention and increasing productivity have
always been paramount to running a successful business. It
became clear as early as 2004, that employee’s work satisfaction is
tied in a large part to benefits. More directly, it is
benefits linked to their health, work-life balance...
Although
the economy may be showing signs of improvement, employers
remain focused on increasing efficiency and holding down costs.
This may include downsizing, eliminating pay raises, and even
cutting pay for employees. While these actions can be
justified, employers must be careful. Top...
Using
temporary employees or independent contractors can give an employer
a flexible way to respond to changing work demands. Temporary
employees can be found through temporary staffing agencies or by
direct hire, while contractors are usually obtained directly by the
company. Whether help is...
With the rising costs of health-care, small business owners are
looking at ways to slash premiums and partake in federal
incentives. Have you considered implementing a Wellness
program as part of your Employee Benefits Plan?
The Health care reform further embraces and rewards employers that offer...Read More »
The Health care reform further embraces and rewards employers that offer...Read More »
Payroll errors can be
costly. Last month, a petroleum company in New Jersey entered
into a settlement agreement under which it will pay $4 million in
overtime pay, 
damages, interest, and penalties to more than 700 current and
former employees. According to the Department of Labor, the
company and...
More
and more employers are moving away from traditional vacation, sick
and personal leave policies. Paid Time Off (PTO) policies
provide a bank of time employees can use when they must miss
work, whatever the reason might be. Fifty-four percent (54%)
of employers recently surveyed offer this type...
On April 15, 2010, H.R. 4581 - Continuing Extension Act of 2010 was passed into law extending the 65% health insurance subsidy for involuntarily terminated employees through May 31st. In addition, those who lost their jobs between March 31st and April 15th (voluntarily or not) are to be notified...Read More »
As
COBRA Administrator's for our employer groups, we keep a watch on
the every changing legislation that impacts their Employee
Benefit Plans to ensure
compliance. H.R. 4851 - Continuing Extension Act of 2010, was put before the Senate on April 13, 2010. This bill will extend benefits which...Read More »
On my last blog, I highlighted changes that took effect immediately and stretching through 2013. So, what happens in 2014 and beyond?
- State-based insurance exchanges open for business. The exchanges are available to individuals and small businesses with less than 100 full-time employees (seasonal...
Are you looking to the future of employee medical benefits in 2010
and beyond? The regulatory and compliance demands are only
going to increase for your small business. That is why many small
business owners are looking to PEOs and their Employee Benefit
Advisors for direction. Just to mention a...Read More »
If
you are like so many small business owners across America, in a
time of great economic concern, the impact of H.R. 3590 -
Patriot Protection and Affordable Care Act weighs on
your mind. Unless of course you've enlisted the services
of a Professional Employer Organization. Why not allow the...Read More »
According
to a white paper published by TriNet in 2009, one of
the "Top 5 HR Compliance Concerns for Small Business"
is Current Benefit Regulation and Law Not Being
Followed. "Small businesses spend 80% more
per employee on federal regulatory compliance than
large companies." This is...Read More »
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