The industry has been abuzz with the new Roth catch-up rule, which takes effect in 2026. The main theme is that catch-up contributions for highly paid individuals (specifically, those with prior-year FICA wages north of $150,000) must be made with Roth dollars — not pre-tax dollars. An important, but lesser discussed topic is that an organization’s method for administering catch-up contributions can be consequential to following the rule. Let’s dive in…  Background  As a reminder, catch-up contributions in a 401(k) plan are employee deferrals above and beyond the standard limit specified in Internal Revenue Code, Section 402(g), which is $24,500 for 2026. For employees turning ages 50 to 59 or 64+ during the year, the catch-up limit is $8,000, which means a total of $32,500 can be saved....

With respiratory infections on the rise, it’s important for employers to mitigate or address illness among employees to help keep workers healthy and productive. This article highlights best practices for employers during the 2025-2026 respiratory season.  [Get the article here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .    

On Sept. 30, President Trump announced an agreement with Pfizer to offer lower prices on its drugs sold to the Medicaid program and directly to consumers. This news brief explains the agreement further.  [Get the brief here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .    

Welcome to the December edition of  Benefits Buzz ! In this issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's highlights  Topic #1:  IRS releases employee benefit plan limits for 2026.  Topic #2:  Federal agencies outline options for offering fertility benefits.  Download the full story  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your organization’s benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]      Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits w...

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final instructions for Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. The release follows the IRS’ earlier publication of the final reporting forms and draft instructions for the 2025 calendar year.  [Get the update]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .   

Healthcare costs have been growing at an alarming rate in recent years and they’re not slowing down. Surveys project that healthcare costs in the United States are likely to increase by 6.5% to, in many cases, over 10% in 2026. This article highlights key factors that will impact rising healthcare costs in 2026.  [Get the key factors]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .  

Welcome to the November edition of  Benefits Buzz ! In this issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's highlights  Topic #1:  IRS releases 2026 Health FSA  Topic #2:  IRS releases 2026 Qualified Transportation Limits  Download the full story  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your organization’s benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]   Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Buzz! Be sure to...

Are you prepared?  On Oct. 8, New York officially launched the  New York Secure Choice Savings Program.  It’s a state-sponsored, automatic-enrollment Roth IRA program designed to expand retirement savings access for millions of private-sector employees. Participation will soon be mandatory for many employers without an existing workplace retirement plan.  Who needs to comply  Businesses that meet all the following criteria must register for the program and participate:  have 10 or more employees in New York during the previous calendar year;  have been in business for at least two years; and  do not currently offer a retirement plan.  Key deadlines  Employers will receive notice from the state with registration instructions, but 2026 deadlines will come quickly:  30+ employees: March 18  15 to 29 employees: May 15...

A recent survey from  Gallagher , a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm, found that nearly one-third of employers are expected to expand voluntary benefit offerings by 2027. This news brief has more details.  [Get the news brief here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) increases the maximum annual contribution limit for dependent care flexible spending accounts to $7,500 (or $3,750 for married individuals filing separate tax returns). This legal update summarizes this change.  [Get the legal update here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .     .    

As the population ages and more workers take on the role of family caregiver, support for caregivers becomes increasingly essential. This article discusses considerations for offering caregiving benefits to employees.  [Get the article here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .

As organizations continue to adapt to evolving workforce needs and changing regulations in 2026, open enrollment communication will be more important than ever. This article highlights why open enrollment communication matters and provides tips on what to do before, during and after enrollment to maximize its effectiveness.  [Get the article here]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .    

Welcome to the October edition of Benefits Buzz! In this issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's highlights  Topic #1: Medicare Part D notices were due Oct. 15.  Topic #2: ACA pay-or-play penalties will increase for 2026  Download the full story  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your organization’s benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]   Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Bu...

The  SECURE 2.0 Act  continues to impact the retirement landscape, and one of its most impactful provisions — the Roth catch-up contribution requirement for higher earners — is effective in 2026. With final regulations issued in mid-September, plan sponsors now have clarity on how to prepare for implementation.  Background: Understanding catch-up contributions and Roth  Catch-up contributions  allow participants aged 50 and older to contribute additional amounts to their retirement plans beyond the standard IRS limits. These contributions help older workers boost their retirement savings as they approach retirement age.  A  Roth contribution  is made with after-tax dollars, meaning the participant pays taxes upfront, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Catch-up contributions could traditionally be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis.  Under the  SECURE 2.0 Act , participants earning more than  $150,000 in FICA wages  in the pri...

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law this summer. The OBBBA contains changes for employee benefit plans, including:  Health savings account (HSA) expansion: Effective Jan. 1, HSA eligibility will allow individuals with direct primary care (DPC) arrangements to make HSA contributions if their monthly fees are $150 or less ($300 or less for family coverage). Also, DPC fees will be treated as medical care expenses that can be paid using HSA funds.  High-deductible health plan (HDHP) telehealth exceptions: A pandemic-related relief measure temporarily allowed HDHPs to waive the deductible for telehealth services without impacting HSA eligibility. The OBBBA permanently extends the ability of HDHPs to provide benefits for telehealth and other remote care services before plan deductibles have been met, without jeopardizing HSA eligibility. This extension applies to plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2024.  Dependent care flexible spending ac...

Reminder: Oct. 15 deadline   The deadline to distribute Part D notices and the extended Form 5500 filing deadline for calendar year plans is Oct. 15. This deadline applies to employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage and those with calendar year employee benefit plans that previously requested an extension of time to file their Form 5500, respectively.  [Get information on the Oct.15 deadline] Checklist to prepare for Medicare Part D creditable cover changes  The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 brought significant changes to Medicare Part D plans, which will affect the creditable coverage status of employer-sponsored prescription drug coverage for 2026.   This checklist is designed to help employers understand the implications of the new creditable coverage methodologies, assess their current plan’s creditable coverage status and identify necessary adjustments to comply with federal requirements and support their Part D-eligible p...

This compliance overview includes a chart that summarizes the benefit notices that employers should provide in connection with their health plans’ 2026 open enrollment periods.  [Get the resource here]  Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .

With the 2026 open enrollment season around the corner, employers have an opportunity to develop attractive benefits offerings and proactively communicate with employees to help them understand what’s available.   The article linked below outlines how employers can thoughtfully kick off open enrollment efforts, including offering competitive benefits to meet workforce needs, crafting employee messaging and effectively communicating benefits offerings.  [Prepare for open enrollment]   Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits . 

To prepare for open enrollment, employers should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1. This compliance overview includes an open enrollment checklist for the 2026 plan year.  [Get the checklist here]  Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .    

Welcome to the September edition of Benefits Buzz ! In this issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's highlights  Topic #1: Pay-or-play affordability percentage will increase in 2026.  Topic #2: DOL updates model employer CHIP notice.  Download the full story  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF] Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Buzz! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for monthly updates and never miss out on the latest in benefits news.  Questions?  If you have q...

Welcome to the August edition of Benefits Buzz ! In this monthly issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's highlights  Topic #1: OBBBA’s changes for employee benefit plans.  Topic #2: U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the ACA’s preventive care mandate.  Download the full story  Download the PDF below for an in-depth look at this month's topics. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]  Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Buzz! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for monthly updates and never miss out on the latest in benefits news.  Question...

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this summer that the country’s largest health insurers have voluntarily pledged to standardize and reform their prior authorization processes.  [Get the news brief here] Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .   This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content. 

  U.S. Health & Human Services Department (HHS) recently published a final rule that updates how the Affordable Care Act (ACA’s) maximum annual limitation on cost sharing is calculated. Based on this update, HHS revised the maximum cost sharing limits to $10,600 for self-only coverage and $21,200 for family coverage for 2026 plan years.   [Get the legal update here]  Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .     This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content. 

This 2025 State of the Market Survey provides insights into employers’ perspectives on the current market landscape and broader business environment. It found key insights into:  the current state of attraction and retention;  what strategies employers are pursuing; and   how employers expect the labor market to shift during the remainder of 2025.  [Get the deep dive here]   Questions?   If you have questions, contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of employee benefits .     This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content. 

  Summer is often seen as a time for fun and relaxation, but it can also bring unique mental health challenges. Use this checklist to stay grounded, balanced and mentally well throughout the summer.  [Download my FREE checklist]   Questions?   If you have questions,  contact TruePlan . Our team of advisors can help you with questions within the scope of  employee benefits .     This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content. 

Many employers offer a Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay eligible dependent care expenses. This article highlights dependent care benefits and how to make the most of them.  [Download the full PDF here]   Making the most of DCAP  If you’re balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, a DCAP can help ease the financial burden. Also known as a dependent care flexible spending account, a DCAP allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay eligible dependent care expenses — offering valuable tax savings for working families.  Here’s what to know:  Pre-tax savings: Contributions reduce your taxable income, which can lower your overall tax bill.  Qualified expenses: Eligible costs may include day care, preschool, after-school programs and adult day care for dependents who require supervision.  Who qualifies: Care must be provided for children under age 13 or for dependents who are physically or mental...

Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums (OOPMs) are important cost-sharing parameters for health plans. This compliance overview summarizes key rules for employers regarding these limits, including the special limits for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) OOPM on essential health benefits.  [Download the full PDF report]   Understanding deductibles and OOPMs  Deductibles and OOPMs play a central role in how health plan costs are shared between the plan and the enrollee. Here’s  important terms employers need to know:  Deductible: The amount a member must pay out-of-pocket for covered services before the health plan begins to contribute.  Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM): The annual cap on what a member pays for covered services. Once reached, the health plan covers 100% of additional covered costs for the rest of the year.  Premium trade-off: Plans with higher deductibles and OOPMs often come with lower monthly premium...

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees) annually, using IRS Form 720. This update provides an overview of Form 720 and full payment of the PCORI fees, which are due by July 31 for plan years ending in 2024.   [Get the whole PDF update here]   Key details to keep in mind  Annual filing: PCORI fees must be reported and paid using IRS Form 720, the Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return.  Upcoming deadline: For plan years ending in 2024, the payment and filing are due by July 31.  Coverage period: Fees apply to plan years that ended during the previous calendar year.  Who must pay: Both fully insured and self-insured group health plans may be subject to the fee, with filing responsibility typically falling on the employer for self-insured plans.  Employers should review their plan year end dates and ensure timely compliance to avoid p...

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Benefits Buzz! In this month’s issue, we dive into the latest topics related to employee benefits, wellness programs and ever-evolving workplace dynamics. Stay informed and gain insights that help you make the most of your benefits package.  This month's topics  Topic #1: U.S. Supreme Court upholds state ban on gender-affirming care for minors.  Topic #2: PCORI fees are due by July 31.  Download the full issue  For an in-depth look at this month's topics, download the PDF below. Dive deeper into the advice and guidance that can help you leverage your benefits to their fullest potential. Don't miss out on valuable insights that could improve your professional and personal life.  [Download the Full Story PDF]   Stay informed, stay empowered and make the most of your benefits with Benefits Buzz! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for monthly updates and never miss out on the latest in benefits news.  Questions?...