Twenty-two multiemployer pension plans (MEPPs), representing more than 25,000 participants, have filed suit against the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging that the agency improperly denied them access to
Latest from Benefits Law Advisor
Final Whistle Warning: IRS Retirement Plan Amendments Due by December 31, 2026
The countdown clock is running. The stadium lights are on, and the clock is ticking toward extra time. Plan sponsors must amend many qualified retirement plans by December 31, 2026. Just like in a World Cup knockout match, waiting invites
Oh, Baby! Fertility Benefits Remain a Focus for Employers and Regulators
The Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (Departments) issued a proposed rule that could significantly reshape how employers offer fertility benefits. The proposal would give employers another pathway to offer fertility benefits without embedding those benefits directly
IRS Guidance Section 127 Education Assistance Programs: 2024 vs. 2026
In April 2026, the IRS released updated FAQ (FS-2026-10) that supersedes the prior 2024 FAQ (FS-2024-22) addressing Section 127 educational assistance programs. While the core statutory framework remains largely unchanged, the updated guidance reflects both amendments made by the One
OCR Announces HIPAA Enforcement Action Against Self-Funded Group Health Plan
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently announced a HIPAA enforcement action against an employer-sponsored group health plan. The action resulted in a payment to HHS of $245,000 and a two-year corrective
National Employee Benefits Day – a Reflection on What to Expect This Year
Each April, National Employee Benefits Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the rapidly shifting landscape of employer‑sponsored benefits.
From implementing new tax laws, a flurry of executive orders with implications for both retirement and welfare plans, updated agency
THE NY SECURE CHOICE REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE FAST APPROACHING
Takeaways
To expand access to retirement savings, New York now requires certain private-sector employers that do not sponsor a retirement plan to either:
- Register with the New York State Secure Choice Savings Program (“Secure Choice”) and facilitate employee participation in
ERISA Litigation Enters the Voluntary Benefits Sphere
As employers begin 2026, a new wave of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation is emerging involving voluntary products that serves as an important reminder that accurate Form 5500 reporting, fiduciary best practices, and good governance procedures are important
HIPAA Notices of Privacy Practices: A February 2026 Deadline Employers Should Not Miss
HIPAA compliance requirements continue to evolve, and recent court decisions have understandably drawn significant attention.
Last summer, we examined these developments in our Workplace Privacy Report article, analyzing how a Texas federal district court decision affected the HIPAA Reproductive
Proposed Legislation to Make PBMs ERISA Fiduciaries and Disclose Compensation
Takeaways
- A bipartisan bill introduced in December 2025 would amend ERISA to treat pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as fiduciaries when providing services to employer-sponsored group health plans.
- If enacted, the legislation would impose fiduciary duties, require detailed compensation disclosures, and