Despite myriad legal challenges, the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) remains the law of the land. We previously reported on the Supreme Court’s latest validation of the law in our SW Benefits Update, “Three Strikes You’re Out – The Affordable
SW Benefits Blog
The SW Benefits Blog, published by Snell & Wilmer, focuses on employee benefits law and related regulatory developments. It covers topics such as educational assistance programs, student loan repayment benefits, fiduciary duties of plan administrators, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contracts, retirement plan catch-up contribution limits under SECURE 2.0, HIPAA privacy rules affecting group health plans, and ERISA compliance for deferred compensation plans. The blog provides guidance on plan design, compliance requirements, regulatory updates, and best practices for employers and plan fiduciaries managing employee benefit programs.
Latest from SW Benefits Blog - Page 6
CalCurrent Podcast and Equity Compensation for Startups
By Greg Gautam
On May 13, 2021, Phoenix executive compensation and employee benefits partner, Greg Gautam, joined Snell & Wilmer’s “CalCurrent” podcast. On his episode, Greg covered five common pitfalls private companies and startup companies should watch out for when structuring their equity…
Subsidized COBRA Elections under ARPA Override COBRA Election Deadline Extensions
As detailed in our SW Benefits Update, “Ironing Out the Wrinkles – IRS Answers 86 Questions About COBRA Relief Under the American Rescue Plan Act,” the IRS recently released Notice 2021-31 (the “Notice”), providing welcome guidance on the…
In Case You Missed It – Key 2021 Employee Benefits Topics
This year is off to a fast start and plan sponsors might find their heads spinning as they try to keep track of rapidly developing employee benefits legislation and guidance. We periodically consolidate key newsletters and blog posts to help…
Credit Where Credit Is Due: IRS Offers Long-Sought Guidance on Employer Retention Credit Program
As we previously reported, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) provided for an employee retention credit (“ERC”) designed to encourage employers to retain workers during the COVID-19 crisis. In general, the ERC permits eligible…
Buckle Up! Complying with the Health & Welfare Provisions of the CAA Could be a Wild Ride
While many of us were still in a food coma from the holidays, former President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “CAA”) on December 27, 2020. The CAA includes provisions impacting both retirement plans and…
Can’t Touch This: IRS Extends Physical Presence Relief for Remote Notarization
On December 23, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2021-03, which extends relief from the “physical presence” requirement applicable to signatures that must be witnessed by a plan representative or notary public. By way of background, Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(a)-21(d)(6)(i)…
Wellness Program Incentives – New Year, New EEOC Proposed Rules
For years we have been trying to understand how the EEOC regulates wellness programs. Although we still do not have a complete picture, we are getting closer with the EEOC’s new Notices of Proposed Rulemaking on wellness programs under the…
Certain Information Statements for ISOs and ESPPs Due by January 31, 2021
As reported in Part 3 of our 2020 End of Year Plan Sponsor “To Do” List, Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) requires employers to provide a written information statement to each employee or former employee…
Get Ready, Get Set, to Cover COVID-19 Vaccines for Free
Last month, we reported that Moderna was seeking FDA authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine and reminded readers about the immunization coverage requirements in Section 3202 of the CARES Act in our SW Benefits Blog, “Free COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing…