The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to cancel or postpone vacations as well as travel plans to visit friends and family. While staying home to stay safe — and, often, to telework — many employees may not use as much paid time off (PTO)...
The IRS recently increased the carryover limit for Health Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) to an amount indexed for inflation. The agency also clarified the ability of a health plan to reimburse individual insurance policy premium expenses incurred before the beginning of the plan year for...
The IRS recently issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding retirement plan distribution and loan relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This relief applies to qualified individuals affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It expanded distribution options and favorable tax...
Typically, when employers undertake major changes to how and where employees do their jobs, it is only after copious planning and careful implementation. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic eliminated this luxury in a matter of days for most organizations. That does not mean that you still...
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division recently posted additional guidance regarding paid sick and emergency childcare leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Much of the guidance offers details and clarifications on the calculation of paid leave, including: How...
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many employers have closed all or parts of their operations — and placed all or some employees on temporary unpaid leave in the form of mandatory furloughs. If yours has done so, or is considering it, you...
The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued temporary regulations implementing the emergency paid sick and family leave provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Following are highlights of the impact on group health plans. Maintenance...
By now, most employers have presumably read up on the basic tax relief and financial assistance aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. What you may not have heard much about is how the law affects employer-sponsored benefit plans. Here are...
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has changed the way most employers are interacting with their employees. Many organizations have sent employees home to work remotely, but this is not feasible in every industry. If you still need to run an office or operate a facility with...
Congress passed and the president signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on March 18. The law allows employees time to care for themselves or loved ones and includes provisions for new tax credits to offset employers’ costs. But the immediate need...