Voluntary Benefits – ERISA Compliance Exemption
Voluntary benefits are optional benefits that employers may offer to enhance their traditional benefits packages. Offering voluntary benefits allows an employer to include a variety of benefits that are attractive to employees in their benefits package without adding to their organization’s costs. While voluntary benefits are typically employee-paid, payments can be automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks and remitted to the insurance carrier.
Evolution of Benefits wishes you & your family a wonderful Easter! 🐣💚💜
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter! May this special occasion bring joy, peace, and renewal to you and your loved ones. As we celebrate, let’s take a moment to reflect on the season’s message of hope and new beginnings. Whether you’re enjoying time with family or engaging in community activities, may this Easter be filled with happiness and positivity.
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Employee Engagement Tips for Small Businesses
Small businesses often face an uphill battle when it comes to retaining employees. Limited budgets, lean teams and fewer advancement opportunities can make it difficult to compete with larger companies. However, better engagement is one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways to improve employee retention. When employees feel heard, valued and connected to their work, they’re more likely to stay.
CMS Finalizes Revised Simplified Determination Method for 2026 Creditable Coverage Determinations
On April 7, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Final Part D Redesign Program Instructions for calendar year 2026. The instructions contain a detailed description of, and guidance related to, changes to the Medicare Part D benefit made by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) that are newly in place for calendar year 2026. Among other things, these changes impact the creditable coverage status of employer-sponsored prescription drug coverage.
DOL Updates Model Employer CHIP Notice
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), has released a new model Employer CHIP Notice with information current as of March 17, 2025.
HR Insights – Engaging Generation Z in the Workplace
Generation Z (Gen Z) accounts for a growing percentage of the global workforce. In the second quarter of 2024, this group comprised 18% of the U.S. labor force, and this rate will only continue to grow. These individuals, born between 1997 and 2012, range from 13 to 28 years old, making up nearly all of the current as well as the next wave of young professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2030, Gen Z will constitute 30% of the workforce.
Stress Vs. Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. While both are emotional responses, stress is typically caused by an external trigger. Stress is the body’s reaction to a threat, and anxiety is the body’s reaction to stress.
‼️USCIS Updates Form 1-9 and E-Verify‼️
On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form 1-9) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Notice in the form’s instructions to align with statutory language. The revised Form 1-9 is dated “01/20/25” and has an expiration date of “05/31/2027.” Notably, multiple previous editions of Form 1-9 remain valid until their respective expiration dates. https://content.zywave.com/file/0014a57d-51ea-483e-83de-c63014df65df/USCIS%20Updates%20Form%20I-9%20and%20E-Verify.docx
⚕Mental Health Care Benefits Strategies⚕
In today’s work environment, employees are increasingly grappling with common mental health challenges such as burnout, stress and anxiety, as well as other diagnosable mental health disorders and conditions. These issues not only affect personal well-being but also impact workplace productivity and morale. While creating a healthy workplace culture, equipping managers to support workers and expanding awareness of mental health can help overcome these challenges, benefits offerings also play a key role in addressing the mental health needs of employees.
HR Compliance Overview – Compliance Considerations for Unlimited PTO Policies (April)
With employee leave laws continuing to expand in patchwork fashion across the country, employers may consider implementing an unlimited paid time off (PTO) policy for ease of administration and to avoid liability for unused accrued paid leave. Popular among employees, unlimited PTO can also act as a strong recruitment and retention tool.
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
