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As discussed in our March blog post, the American Rescue Plan Act allowed employers with a qualified dependent care assistance program (“DCAP”) to increase the DCAP flexible spending limit in 2021 from $5,000 to $10,500. DCAP participants also received relief from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, to carry over unused DCAP ...

Most of the concentration in the employee benefits world over the past year or so has been dedicated to getting up to speed on newly passed legislation, much of it COVID related, and all of the subsequently issued administrative guidance. But with all of the changes that have occurred in that time, compliance issues and corrections have remained a ...

Earlier this month, in response to a recent federal report recommending guidance to eliminate cybersecurity risks to retirement plans, plan participant data, and plan assets, the Employee Benefits Security Administration division of the DOL (“EBSA”) published cybersecurity guidance for ERISA-covered retirement plans. The ...

We have previously written blog posts on the COBRA subsidy added by ARPA, the follow-up FAQs that were recently issued, and the new notice requirements for the COBRA subsidy. Those posts were primarily focused on the federal COBRA laws, which generally apply to ERISA group health plans maintained by private-sector employers with twenty or more ...

This morning the DOL issued the much anticipated guidance on the COBRA subsidies provided for in the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”).  There were not many surprises, but to see what we learned, check out this post.  To see what we already knew, check out our prior post.

The DOL also issued the model notices that Congress mandated them to issue as ...

As discussed in our previous post, Congress recently passed a 100% subsidy for certain individuals who enroll in COBRA continuation coverage.  Today, the DOL issued FAQs to answer several of the questions raised by the new subsidy.

As a reminder, the subsidy provides that assistance eligible individuals are not required to pay their COBRA ...

Similar to the relief granted in 2020, the IRS has again announced special filing and payment relief deadlines for individuals in response to COVID-19 through Notice 2021-21. The Notice postpones the Federal income tax return and payment due dates from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. The IRS guidance also affects the world of benefit plans, and ...

One year ago today, you couldn’t have found a face mask in my house.  Today, we have an entire drawer in our kitchen dedicated to masks. And while the amount I have spent on gas and entertainment is down considerably year over year, I have spent my fair share on Etsy and other sites on superhero masks for my 5 and 7 year old (whatever it takes to get them to ...

The American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) will affect benefit plans in multiple ways. In addition to the COBRA subsidy (discussed here), employers with a qualified dependent care assistance program (“DCAP”) now have the ability to increase the DCAP flexible spending limit. Employers interested in providing this benefit to employees ...

Earlier today, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”).  The bill will now go to President Biden for signature.  Under ARPA, eligible COBRA enrollees will be able to receive a 100% subsidy for their COBRA premiums. The subsidy will be provided by the federal government via payroll tax credits for employers.  The House had ...

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