"[T]he regulations and a contemporaneously issued FAQ also clarify certain EHB prescription drug requirements.... The FAQ clarifies that the regulation does not address the policy's application to large group market and self-insured health plans and indicates that the agencies intend to propose rulemaking that would also require these plans to treat prescription drugs covered by the plan or in excess of the applicable EHB benchmark as EHBs for purposes of the annual limitation on cost-sharing and the prohibition on annual and lifetime limits."   MORE >>

"[T]he agencies did not finalize proposed clarifications that payments from employer-provided fixed indemnity health insurance and similar plans are not excluded from a taxpayer's gross income if the payments are made without regard to the actual amount of incurred medical expenses and premiums for the coverage were paid pre-tax. Also not finalized are proposals clarifying the substantiation requirements for medical expense reimbursements from employer-provided accident and health plans."   MORE >>

"The first quarter of 2024 has brought multiple updates to the State of Washington's and the City of Seattle's respective paid sick leave laws, addressing concerns for commercial construction workers, app-based gig economy workers, and any workers subject to a paid time off (PTO) program."   MORE >>

"Pennsylvania amended its tax law to make amounts contributed to dependent care assistance excludable for income tax purposes. The change aligns Pennsylvania with the federal treatment and is retroactive for the 2023 tax year. Employers may have withheld taxes on dependent care assistance contributions and may have issued Forms W-2 that overstated income."   MORE >>

"HSA contributions for a taxable year cannot be made earlier than the start of that year or later than the due date for the account holder's federal income tax return for that year.... [F]actors to consider when evaluating your timing options: [1] Prorating based on employment ... [2] Risk of overcontribution ... [3] Employer's tax deduction ... [4] Nondiscrimination testing ... [5] Expense-timing considerations."   MORE >>

"While medical records, test findings, and reports from treating and examining doctors are the primary source of evidence in disability benefit cases, many claimants concurrently apply for Social Security disability benefits or Veterans' disability benefits ... This article will compare and contrast Social Security disability and Veterans disability claims with long-term disability claims and provide guidance as to how findings from those agencies can be utilized to strengthen the evidence in long-term disability claims."   MORE >>

"[O]ver half of respondents have had some sort of impact to their mental, financial, and even social wellness ... 37% of caregivers said their responsibilities have influenced their performance at work.... 78% of caregivers expect their employers to provide benefits and resources to support them as caregivers, and 73% of caregivers look to their employers to find support for their roles as caregivers."   MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in parts of Maine affected by severe storm and flooding that began on Jan. 9, 2024 ... now have until July 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York counties qualify for tax relief."   MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in Rhode Island that were affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Dec. 17, 2023 ... now have until July 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Kent, Providence and Washington counties qualify for tax relief."   MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in parts of Rhode Island affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Jan. 9, 2024 ... now have until July 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Kent, Providence and Washington counties qualify for tax relief."   MORE >>

"Here are some ways multinationals can navigate compensation and benefit challenges in their foreign operations: [1] Employment shell selection ... [2] Package development ... [3] Overcoming lack of critical mass ... [4] Diverse employee benefits ... [5] Flexible design and delivery ... [6] Global vendor networks."   MORE >>

"[1] New Form 5500 compliance questions for retirement plans.... [2] Corporate transparency act compliance for ESOP-owned companies.... [3] Keeping tabs on affiliated employers ... [4] Recent lawsuits hint at broadening scope of ERISA class actions topics."   MORE >>