The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on organizations of all sizes across all industries. The uncertainty of the “new normal” is leading some employers to consider extreme, and often unnecessary, new policies in anticipation of the eventual return to
Employee Benefits Blog
Insights on Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
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Five Reasons Why Telehealth Is Here to Stay (COVID-19 And Beyond)
Telehealth is no longer just a nice-to-have, but instead a must-have for patients and healthcare professionals alike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lisa Mazur, partner at McDermott Will & Emery specializing in the digital healthcare space, is quoted in a recent…
Pandemic Unemployment Aid Intensifies Debate Over Classifying Gig Workers
The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program extends relief to workers and employees who don’t have access to state benefits, but it will almost certainly put pressure on gig economy companies to start paying into state unemployment insurance funds as government…
Proposed Jobs Credit Act Would Significantly Expand CARES Act Employee Retention Tax Credits
A bill titled Jumpstarting Our Businesses’ Success Credit Act of 2020, which would make significant changes to the employee retention tax credits available under the CARES Act, is currently under consideration in the US House of Representatives. In this article,…
IRS Issues Relaxed Cafeteria Plan Rules
To help cafeteria plan participants address challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis, the Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance allowing employers to make a number of participant-friendly changes under their cafeteria plans. While employer adoption of these more flexible rules…
IRS Announces 2021 Limits for Health Savings Accounts and High-Deductible Health Plans
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2021. Some of the dollar limits currently in effect for 2020 will change for 2021.…
Open for Business: How ‘Essential’ Businesses Can Keep Their Workplace Healthy and Safe
Most states have issued some form of ‘shelter in place’ or ‘stay at home’ order to flatten the curve of COVID-19. As a result, many business operations have been temporarily suspended, unless the business is engaged in essential or critical…
COVID-19 Ate My Homework – Recent Extensions and Relief for Retirement Plans
In recognition of the difficulties faced by retirement plan sponsors, participants and beneficiaries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new guidance extends the deadlines for notices and disclosures required by Title I of ERISA and extends deadlines for retirement plan participants…
Globally (Not So) Mobile Employees: Taxation of Equity Awards in a COVID-19 World
The US tax rules governing the taxation of equity awards for globally mobile employees are complex and in some cases, uncertain. Among other things, employers must consider the type of award, grant and vesting dates, and sourcing rules to ensure…
DOL Relaxes Deadlines for ERISA-Governed Group Health Plans
The US Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and US Department of the Treasury, issued guidance and deadline extensions applicable to ERISA-governed group health and welfare plans. The guidance provides relief for plan sponsors, plan administrators…