"The [IRS] has issued little guidance concerning the implementation and operation of donated leave programs. Employers interested in establishing such a program should be aware that unless [the] program meets certain requirements, the tax implications ... could be confusing and unexpected for employees."  MORE >>

"Applicable to all employers with Maryland employees and starting July 1, 2026, the program will provide most employees in Maryland with twelve weeks of paid family and medical leave, with the possibility of an additional twelve weeks of paid parental leave. Contributions from employers and employees to fund the program will begin July 1, 2025."  MORE >>

"The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling that could affect how life insurers set cost-of-insurance charges for holders of universal life insurance policies.... The policies involved stated that cost-of-insurance charges would be based on 'the insured's sex, age and risk class' and Kansas City Life's 'expectations as to future mortality experience,'... 'Conspicuously missing is any mention of profits and expenses,' the judge writes in the opinion." [Meek v. Kansas City Life Ins. Co., No. 23-3334, 23-3354 (8th Cir. Jan. 10, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[The authors] measure health care prices in three ways ... Variation is large ... Pricing does not appear uniform; there is just 22% correlation between an insurer's inpatient price and outpatient facility price. And there is little difference in ordering of high price states depending on alternative measures, such as relative to Medicare. Results suggest greater consideration of policies to address high and highly variable prices for US health care."  MORE >>

"Though the number of people in the U.S. who have received gene therapy is still relatively small, by 2034, more than a million people will have undergone some form of the treatment. Gene therapy can be lifesaving, but costs are potentially prohibitive -- ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per case. As overall healthcare costs continue to rise, health plan sponsors should prepare for the impact of gene therapy and consider how to manage coverage without diminishing quality of care for their members."  MORE >>

"Benefits should encompass the whole person -- including family. They should help employees strike the right balance between their professional and personal lives, and they should provide the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of diverse workforces. In 2025, the most successful HR teams will take greater responsibility for employees' well-being. This means offering customized benefits that will help them take care of their physical and mental health, improve their financial circumstances, and plan for the future."  MORE >>

"[A]ll executive departments and agencies [are hereby ordered] to take the following steps: [1] Do not propose or issue any rule in any manner, ... until a department or agency head appointed or designated by the President after noon on January 20, 2025, reviews and approves the rule.... The Director or Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget may exempt any rule that he deems necessary to address emergency situations or other urgent circumstances, including rules subject to statutory or judicial deadlines that require prompt action. [2] Immediately withdraw any rules that have been sent to the OFR but not published in the Federal Register, so that they can be reviewed and approved ... [3] [C]onsider postponing for 60 days from the date of this memorandum the effective date for any rules that have been published in the Federal Register, or any rules that have been issued in any manner but have not taken effect." [BenefitsLink note: as of Jan. 21, 2025, both the Proposed Regs on Adequate Consideration, and the Safe Harbor PTE for Acquisition of Employer Stock, have been withdrawn by EBSA.]  MORE >>