7 Tips for Bringing Employees Back on Payroll
In April 2020, unemployment rates peaked at nearly 15%. Since that time, there has been a steady decline and current unemployment is near 10%. While this is still a far cry from our pre-COVID-19 unemployment rates of 3.5%, employers are increasingly bringing employees back on payroll. However, this task is bringing new challenges to employers, […]
Health and wellness programs are essential during reopening
With 90% of states allowing recreation centers to reopen, including gyms, health and wellness programs will be an essential tool for for stress management and employee retention. What are wellness benefits? Health and wellness programs often fall under the auspices of specialty accounts and can be purposed for a variety of expenses, from tuition reimbursements […]
Predictions on the future of virtual health care
Where are we now? Our current healthcare system is largely still a brick and mortar, in-person setup… where people who are sick go to be seen, and treated by medically trained individuals. Current trends are now pointing to virtual health care. What changes are coming to virtual health care? Virtual health care is now is […]
Going Virtual: The future of child care during COVID-19?
Child care during COVID-19 has been one of the most discussed topics after the pandemic itself, alongside shifting work environments and how companies and the economy are responding. Many parents are expecting to go back to work in offices, albeit a limited number of days a week in some cases, when the last quarter of […]
3 memes to describe how HR managers are feeling right now
The worldwide situation with the coronavirus has been stressful, to say the least. We’ve heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. That’s why we compiled these memes to describe how HR and benefits professionals might be feeling right now. Up first: How many is too many? #askingforafriend Chances are you’re working on updates […]
Your 4-step back to work guide for commuting
People going back to work after COVID-19 are facing new challenges, including how to maintain social distancing protocols during notoriously busy commutes. Here are four ways employers can help create a safer commute that balances flexibility with safety. Help participants transfer from mass transit to parking benefits As employees begin to come back to work, […]
What will commuting after COVID-19 look like?
Many have started the process of commuting after COVID-19, leaving employees and employers alike wondering how the transition will unfold. During the change, certain trends have emerged including a focus on reducing contact with shared items. Minimize contact with shared public surfaces While the CDC has identified that surfaces pose less of a threat in […]
IRS releases new relief affecting FSAs
A release from the IRS provides new relief affecting FSAs, including Medical FSAs and Dependent Care FSAs. There are four main changes provided in the relief, addressed in two notices. What is the new relief affecting FSAs? Within Notice 2020-29 from the IRS, taxpayers using FSAs will receive the following relief: Change #1: Extended claim […]
Download Now: Remote Open Enrollment Guide
In our Remote Open Enrollment Guide, Creating an Effective Benefits Communication Strategy for a Remote Workforce, you’ll find a five-stage road map that gives you the tools to build a custom benefits communication strategy to reach remote employees. Download your copy now: What’s inside the Remote Open Enrollment Guide: The five stages to develop […]
IRS and DOL notice extends COBRA and health plan deadlines
A new IRS and DOL notice, EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2020-01, provides temporary relief from COBRA and health plan deadlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is the timeline in the DOL notice? The notice addresses the time period from the beginning of the pandemic to 60 days after the end of the pandemic. The beginning […]
What about Medical FSAs and COVID-19?
UPDATED 5/12/2020: New information from IRS available on Medical FSAs and COVID-19 There are many questions employees have on how their Medical FSAs are impacted by COVID-19. Specifically, they want to know what options they have and what changes might be on the horizon. Here are the facts we know so far. Medical FSAs and […]
Manage your pre-tax accounts wisely – here’s how
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and unemployment rates rise, you’re probably looking to maximize every dollar that you currently have. Fortunately, you can do so through smart use of your pre-tax accounts. Step 1: Review your elections The first step is just reviewing your current elections. For the following account types, this might mean making […]
Do I need to offer COBRA to my furloughed employees?
In uncertain times, we just want simple answers. COVID-19 has certainly brought uncertainty, we are still searching for those simple answers. These days, many of you are asking, “Do I need to offer COBRA to my furloughed employees?” Let’s see if we can offer a little more clarity (and hopefully some simplicity). What is a […]
Treat allergy symptoms using pre-tax funds
Spring is in the air. This means that common seasonal allergy triggers like pollen is too. Fortunately, you can combat these allergy symptoms using funds from your HSA, FSA or HRA. We’ll tell you how shortly. First, we’ll cover how to tell if your symptoms likely indicate allergies or another ailment. This will help ensure […]
Do you need to make benefit changes because of COVID-19?
COVID-19 has caused upheaval in many ways. This includes employees’ work benefits, particularly pre-tax accounts. For employees with an HSA, Dependent Care FSA, and/or commuter plan, there may be the opportunity to make changes to their accounts. Here are the main updates employees should know about. UPDATE: See our blogs IRS releases new relief affecting […]
What you need to know about the CARES Act
The new CARES Act, formally named ‘‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’’, brings a variety of actions aimed to aid in the fight of COVID-19, along with spurring economic stability and growth. You can view the full list of inclusions in this Forbes article. Here, we will focus on the three possible changes affecting […]
New tax filing deadline announced by the IRS
Tax time is no longer just April 15th. Recent guidance from the IRS delays the Federal tax filing deadline and Federal tax payment deadline. However, state deadlines and the impact on contributions to a Health Savings Account remain less clear. What are the details? The deadline was extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, […]
Managing your kids & health during social distancing
Life since COVID-19 has introduced shifts in how Americans approach home, work and health. While some of those areas have slowed down, others are even more active than usual. Here are three ways to manage kids, health and finances in the middle of social distancing. Managing kids at home With schools all over the country […]
Four Ways Employers Can Assist Employees Amid COVID-19
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we find each day brings new information and challenges. But sometimes, all we want (and need) are answers. Read how you can assist your employees during this uncertain time. Question 1: Can employees change their FSA elections? Under current rules, employees are permitted to make FSA election changes when they have […]
