The Department of Labor announces 2020 increased ERISA penalty amounts
The Department of Labor recently finalized regulations containing civil penalty inflation adjustments for 2020 in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015.
Near-term employer action items regarding paid leave laws
As employers are likely aware, state and local governments continue to adopt paid leave requirements on a fast and furious basis. Several important paid leave-related deadlines occur in December 2019 or become effective Jan. 1, 2020.
The 4 Most Common Employer Goals for Benefits Administration
Have you ever felt like you’re alone? That no one could possibly understand you and your needs? Well lay down on Dr. Kaiser’s couch and let’s explore those HR Tech concerns. That’s better, your breathing has calmed. Tissue? Would you be surprised to find out that...
New Bill Offers Clarity to Employers with Wellness Programs
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) is following through on his warning that if the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) didn’t issue regulations, he would introduce his own legislation to clarify requirements for employee wellness programs as they relate to...
Businessolver Vision 2015 Recap
A few weeks ago one of our own, Paula, attended Businessolver’s Vision 2015 in San Diego. She has provided a quick recap and some of her thoughts on the seminar from keynote speaker Maria Ferrante-Schepis. First, a few quick stats from Businessolver: 73% of...
ACA reporting: No rest for the weary HR technologist
I am so honored to have contributed an article to Employee Benefit Advisor magazine earlier this week. If you haven't yet, you should check it out. It's a quick update on how HR technology plays a role in the Affordable Care Act reporting requirements. You awake with...
What’s the Color of Your Private Exchange?
Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, Director of Exchange Solutions, Lockton Benefit Group Last Thursday night, my wife asked me a pretty random question. "Hey Smitty (my nickname is so ingrained, even my wife calls me Smitty...), what color is this dress?" I glanced over...
Good Nutrition? Good Grief!
Over the decades, the guidelines for proper nutrition have continued to evolve, much to the confusion of the general public. After all, it sometimes can appear that new guidelines completely contradict previous guidelines, which makes people trust them less. However,...
Position Control 101
Imagine you are headed to a baseball game on a warm, sunny spring day. You approach your city’s stadium with your ticket in hand, showing exactly what section and seat you’ve purchased. You have no trouble entering the stadium and finding your particular seat. You...
Tips for Purchasing New Technology
If your company is in need of new technology for HR, payroll, benefits administration, or time and attendance tracking, you'll want to check out the newest whitepaper from Lockton Benefit Group's HR Technology and Outsourcing Practice. Here's a sneak peak! Purchasing...
New Drugs Will Lower Cholesterol While Raising Costs
A new class of injectable medications will soon be available for use in treating high cholesterol. These drugs are called PCSK9 inhibitors, and they’re currently still in development by a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Approvals are expected midyear. While news...
Beware the Lady Killer
February is a month that’s all about the heart. No, not just Valentine’s Day. I’m talking about American Heart Month. Not too long ago it was thought that heart disease was a problem for men. Warnings for men to recognize chest pain and left arm pain helped educate us...
IRS Releases Final ACA Reporting Forms
A lot has been going on the past few weeks: the Anthem data breach followed by the phishing scam of those same victims and then the IRS delivered the final instructions for ACA reporting forms. If you weren’t aware of the employer requirements for the Affordable Care...
How Employers Can Help Prevent Cancer
What if there was a way to prevent certain cancers? Good news! There is, if you make some straightforward decisions about certain aspects of your life. Specifically, I’m talking about good nutrition, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. While most...