"When rebates are required in the group markets, they are usually modest -- often $10 to $30 per employee. Issuing checks for these amounts can create unnecessary administrative work and may also result in taxable income for employees, particularly when a Section 125 Premium Only Plan (POP) is in place. To minimize the burden, many employers: [1] Apply the rebate toward future premium payments. [2] Use the funds to enhance benefits rather than issuing checks."  MORE >>

"Earlier this year, OPM issued guidance that eliminated gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19 but preserved the option for carriers to continue offering it to older patients.... This latest notice from OPM now eliminates that discretion entirely, prohibiting coverage of gender-affirming care for individuals of any age under the FEHB program."  MORE >>

19 pages. Covers [1] Eligibility, [2] Contributions, [3] Distributions and [4] Reporting.  MORE >>

"[T]he Second Circuit ruled that no reasonable jury 'could conclude that Schuyler actually believed that she was waiving her claim for LTD benefits from Sun Life when she signed the agreement,' and thus she 'didn't knowingly and voluntarily waive her right to pursue her LTD against Sun Life.' The court therefore reversed the judgment below and remanded for further proceedings." [Schuyler v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, No. 23-498 (2d Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[T]he court addressed whether Tufts Medical Center and its HR director breached their fiduciary duties under ERISA when they failed to advise [the doctor] and his widow ... of the option to continue his life insurance coverage following his terminal cancer diagnosis. The ruling offers important guidance on fiduciary obligations of plan administrators and HR personnel, particularly in situations where beneficiaries face life-altering illnesses." [Erban v. Tufts Med. Ctr. Physicians Org., Inc., No. 22-11193 (D. Mass. Aug. 12, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[R]ecent legal developments, including the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 and pivotal court rulings, serve as a sharp reminder [to employers] that they are, in fact, fiduciaries under ERISA, with all the responsibilities and liabilities that come with that role.... [This article explores] the often-overlooked fiduciary responsibilities employers have when sponsoring health care plans and the need for plan sponsors to understand, document, and defend their fiduciary processes under the new standards."  MORE >>

"The Trump administration has deployed troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., in recent months, and the president has named four more cities where he intends to deploy troops. Employers must provide job-protected leave to service members who are called to military duty. Domestic deployments for natural disasters or other emergencies may impact private employers with regard to their staffing levels, compensation costs, and employee benefits administration."  MORE >>

"A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) explained that the unified regulatory agenda that was briefly published last week was a draft version that was published by accident. An OMB spokesperson explained that 'The President's Unified Agenda has yet to be released. A now-former GSA contractor inadvertently posted a draft version.' The spokesperson did not say if the contractor was terminated or resigned, and did not comment on how accurate the draft version is or when a final might be expected."  MORE >>