"Alaska has enacted a law that allows the Alaska Division of Insurance to license and regulate PBMs [and] extends the Division's equivalent licensing and regulatory powers to third-party administrators (TPAs) ... The new Alaska law has avoided ERISA preemption by establishing an exemption for TPAs that provide administrative services solely for ERISA plans. However, the TPAs subject to the new law -- even if they service some ERISA-governed plans -- will now have to take certain measures[.]"  MORE >>

"The new rules, which take effect on July 17, 2026, will expand the employers covered under the NJFLA and the employees eligible for job-protected leave. The new law also amends the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) laws to provide job protection for individuals receiving these benefits."  MORE >>

"The administrator ... issued its appeal decision 72 days after the appeal was filed. Although it had sent a letter stating it intended to obtain an independent physician review, it did not identify any valid 'special circumstances' or provide a date certain for a decision. The district court held that the appeal was therefore deemed denied without the exercise of discretion and reviewed the claim de novo, ultimately awarding benefits. On appeal, the Fourth Circuit affirmed." [Cogdell v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., No. 24-1940 (4th Cir. Mar. 3, 2026)]  MORE >>

"[T]he Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court’s rulings largely in favor of CONSOL Energy after the company terminated retiree welfare benefits, holding that the employer did not violate ERISA by ending benefits where plan documents clearly reserved the right to amend or terminate the plan." [Fitzwater v. Consol Energy, Inc., No. 24-2088 (4th Cir. Mar. 3, 2026)]  MORE >>

"[T]he co-founder and former CEO of a discount retail business asserted claims against both the retail business as well as former board members and directors individually, alleging that they violated the PFMLA by repeatedly contacting him while he was on protected medical leave and demanding he perform work.... The Court compared the definition of 'employer' under the PFMLA against the definition in the Massachusetts Wage Act, and ultimately held that the PFMLA did not extend liability to a corporate employer's officers or agents." [Jackson Laughlin v. BinStar, Inc. (Delaware), No. 2584CV01816 (Mass. Super. Ct. Feb. 26, 2026)]  MORE >>

"When deployed without supporting lifestyle interventions, clinical oversight, and coordination across benefits, GLP-1s risk delivering short-term results without long-term health improvement. ... Employers should view these medications as one component of a broader obesity and metabolic health strategy ... This approach recognizes both the clinical promise of GLP-1s and the practical realities of cost, sustainability, and long-term population health."  MORE >>

"Health savings accounts may have tax advantages for long-term savings, but most respondents in a new survey ... reported using an HSA for immediate costs. When [HSA owners were asked] how they used their accounts, 67% said they were for out-of-pocket expenses from the past year or near term. Only 35% reported saving in their HSA for health care costs in retirement, and 28% said they had invested their account funds."  MORE >>

"In response to IRS proposed regulations for Trump accounts, the investment management industry has pushed back against requiring Trump accounts to be invested in at least 90% U.S. equities."  MORE >>

"The 7th Circuit's recent decision highlights the severe consequences that can arise from procedural mistakes related to beneficiary designations.... [S]teps you can take to help ensure that the intentions of participants are ultimately honored and reduce the risk of costly disputes: [1] Tighten and publicize beneficiary-change procedures.... [2] Train benefits staff on handling of 'off-channel' requests.... [3] Expect beneficiary change requests following major life events." [Packaging Corp. of Am. Thrift Plan for Hourly Emps. v. Langdon, No. 25-1859 (7th Cir. Feb. 2, 2026)]  MORE >>