Employee Benefits Security Administration joined the IRS and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. in releasing online.  The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2024 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2025. Each form's instructions include a Changes to Note section highlighting important updates to the forms, schedules and instructions for 2024[.]

Plan administrators should not use informational copies to file a 2024 Form 5500 Series Annual Return/Report.

• Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan | Instructions
• Form 5500-SF Annual Return/Report of Small Employee Benefit Plan | Instructions
• Schedule A - Insurance Information
• Schedule C - Service Provider Information
• Schedule D - DFE/Participating Plan Information
• Schedule DCG - Individual Plan Information
• Schedule G - Financial Transaction Schedules
• Schedule H - Financial Information
• Schedule I - Financial Information - Small Plan

MORE >>

18 pages. "The purpose of this publication is to set forth the tax year 2024 requirements for: [1] Using official [IRS] forms to file information returns with the IRS, [2] Preparing acceptable substitutes of the official IRS forms to file information returns with the IRS, and [3] Using official or acceptable substitute forms to furnish information to recipients."  MORE >>

"I'm enrolling in Medicare but continuing to work and keeping my employer-based health plan for my spouse/family. Can I still contribute to my HSA? ... Can I still contribute to my HSA if I continue to work and my spouse enrolls in Medicare? ... What do I do if I contributed to my HSA after my eligibility stopped?"  MORE >>

"The [DOL and Treasury Department] recently issued a joint notice providing extensions for a number of deadlines so plan participants, beneficiaries, employers and other plan sponsors affected by Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Helene, or Hurricane Milton have additional time to make critical health coverage and other benefits decisions. DOL also issued Notice 2024-01 -- which grants plan sponsors, fiduciaries and service providers extra time to provide ERISA-required notices and disclosures -- and a set of FAQs  ... [HHS] concurs with the guidance for entities under its jurisdiction (i.e., nonfederal governmental plans and health insurance issuers) to the extent applicable."  MORE >>

"that Unum abused its discretion in terminating long-term disability ('LTD') benefits after more than 20 years based on revision of Plaintiff's occupational duties, which Unum's reviewing physicians improperly concluded Plaintiff was able to perform." [Barnes v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am., No. 23-00280 (D. Me. Nov. 12, 2024)]  MORE >>

"As employers consider the rising costs of coverage of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy in their health plans, a recent class action complaint alleging obesity-related discrimination could be a sign of things to come for more legal challenges. As the use of such drugs explodes in popularity across the country, insurers and health plans may face increasing pressure, in and out of the courts, to remove or justify any exclusions of coverage." [Whittemore v. Cigna Health and Life Ins. Co., No. 24-0206 (D. Me. complaint filed Jun. 6, 2024)]  MORE >>

"People age 65 and older with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level were underinsured at the highest rate (37%). There was no significant difference between people in Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare (44% vs. 30%, respectively). Significantly more beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans than in traditional Medicare reported they couldn't afford their care because of copayments or deductibles (12% vs. 7%)."  MORE >>

"CMS said in July that some types of policy changes -- those in which the agent is not 'affiliated' with the existing plan -- will face more requirements ... CMS has suspended 850 agents suspected of being involved in unauthorized plan-switching from accessing the ACA marketplace. Still, the clampdown could add complexity to enrollment and slow the process."  MORE >>

"Substitute 'Anthem' with any major insurer, and the story remains the same.... Anthem told Owens & Minor, a self-funded employer, that they wouldn't release essential claims data because it might reveal 'confidential' provider arrangements ... Imagine being told by your TPA, 'Sit down, shut up, and accept it.' " [Owens & Minor, Inc. v. Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc., No. 24-0820 (E.D. Va. complaint filed Nov. 18, 2024)]  MORE >>

"Small businesses are increasingly offering financial education programs, debt management assistance, and employer-sponsored savings plans.... In 2025, many are turning to innovative [health plan] solutions like level-funded plans and captives to help contain costs while enhancing the benefits offered to employees.... Comprehensive mental health coverage not only supports employee well-being but also reduces absenteeism and increases productivity."  MORE >>