[Guidance Overview]

New COBRA Subsidy Requires Quick Action by Plan Sponsors

"[C]larifying guidance would be helpful regarding whether certain of ARPA's requirements ... apply to plans not subject to the federal COBRA rules ... Additionally, clarification [is needed] with respect to how the tolling period requirements for COBRA election and premium payment periods that were recently updated under EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01[.]"  MORE >>

Bond, Schoeneck & King

[Guidance Overview]

ARPA's COBRA Provisions: Time Is of the Essence for Employers

"In light of the ... effective date of April 1, employers should immediately begin taking steps ... to determine which employees and their dependents may be eligible for the COBRA premium subsidy and extended election period, so they can deliver the required notices to all AEIs by the May 30th deadline."  MORE >>

Maynard Cooper & Gale

[Guidance Overview]

Important Changes to COBRA Under the American Rescue Plan Act

"The Subsidy Period may end sooner if the [assistance eligible individual (AEI)] becomes eligible for coverage under any other group health plan or Medicare ... [but not] if the AEI is eligible for coverage consisting only of excepted benefits, coverage under a Health FSA, or coverage under a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA)."  MORE >>

Snell & Wilmer

[Guidance Overview]

Employers: Get Ready for Cost Transparency

"While compliance with the transparency rule may seem daunting, it helps for employers to break down the requirements and delegate compliance responsibilities among their various service providers. These six steps can help focus your efforts."  MORE >>

HR Daily Advisor

[Guidance Overview]

ARPA Extends FFCRA Tax Credit for COVID-19 Related Paid Leave

"[The ARPA extends] the [FFCRA] tax credits through September 30, 2021. The ARPA also broadens the qualifying reasons for the FFCRA tax credit and imposes a new anti-discrimination requirement."  MORE >>

Quarles & Brady LLP

[Guidance Overview]

California Revives, Expands COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

"The law ... will apply retroactively to January 1, 2021 (thereby requiring back payments). The new law will expand the scope of covered employers, as well as the covered reasons for taking the leave."  MORE >>

Seyfarth

[Guidance Overview]

California Enacts (Retroactive) 2021 Emergency Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law

"The new statutes will apply retroactively to January 1, 2021 ... Because the new statutes do not preempt local ordinances, employers may have compliance obligations under the state law and possibly up to 11 similar -- but not identical -- local ordinances[.]"  MORE >>

Littler

Ninth Circuit: Seattle's Health Care Funding Ordinance Is Not ERISA-Preempted

"In the Ninth Circuit's view, the trade association plaintiff failed to distinguish the challenged ordinance from the San Francisco fair share ordinance that the Ninth Circuit upheld in 2008." [ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) v. City of Seattle, No. 20-35472 (9th Cir. Mar. 17, 2021; unpub.)]  MORE >>

Thomson Reuters Practical Law

Health Insurance Costs: Spousal Flexibility

"As employers look to manage their benefits costs, sometimes they consider taking steps to limit plan eligibility for spouses.... There are a few different strategies for exercising spousal flexibility ... How do these options work in practice?"  MORE >>

HUB International

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Mayer Brown Strengthens ERISA Fiduciary Capabilities with Addition of Erin K. Cho

Mayer Brown

Aegon Appoints Will Fuller as President and CEO of Transamerica

Aegon

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ARPA's COBRA Subsidy: New Obligations, and Unanswered Questions

Stevens & Lee

American Rescue Plan Act: COBRA Subsidy Relief and Dependent Care FSA Limit Increase

Trucker Huss

New DOL Rules: Employers Need to Notify Participants of COBRA, Special Enrollment and Claims Deadlines

Frost Brown Todd LLC