A class action lawsuit has been filed against Washington State’s Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act (the “Act”) that requires each worker in Washington to contribute $0.58 per $100 (0.58%) of wages to a trust set aside to pay long-term care benefits for its residents. The lawsuit challenges the Act and requests a declaratory judgment
Employee Health & Welfare Benefit Plan Limits
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released 2022 cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans and retirement plans.
The changes in the 2022 cost-of-living adjustments for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans are summarized in the table below:
| Health and Welfare Plan Limits (Rev. Proc. 2021-45 and Rev. Proc. |
Looking to Save More? You’re in Luck!
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS just announced the 2022 annual limits that apply to tax-qualified plans. After minimal changes last year, there are several updates to the limits that employers should be aware of. Employers maintaining tax-qualified retirement plans will need to make sure their plans’ administrative procedures are adjusted accordingly.
In Notice 2021-61, the IRS
Do You Offer Employees Rebates To Lower Their Prescription Drug Costs… Just Make Sure You Don’t Count It Towards Their Minimum Annual Deductible
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 25, 2021, the IRS released two information letters related to health savings accounts (“HSAs”) and high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) addressing: (i) correction of excess employer contributions to an HSA, and (ii) how coupons, such as prescription drug coupons, apply toward the HDHP minimum annual deductible and what benefits can be
Anti-Vax Tax Facts: Legal Considerations for Premium Differentials Based on Vaccination Status
Seyfarth Synopsis: As employers continue to struggle with strategies for safely re-opening their workplaces, we have previously discussed the possibility of mandating a vaccine or providing incentives for getting the vaccine. [Here] As employers shift their focus toward the cost of COVID hospitalizations (which studies show are a much greater risk for unvaccinated individuals), employers
Never Fear: More COBRA Subsidy Guidance Is Here
On July 26, 2021, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2021-46, providing additional guidance on the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and premium assistance and tax credit provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). As described in our Legal Update , ARPA requires employers to cover
SCOTUS Doesn’t Want to Tell Us How They Really Feel About The ACA
Dismissal of ACA Lawsuit Based Only on Standing Grounds
Seyfarth Synopsis: In Texas v. California, the Supreme Court rejected another challenge to the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare” or “ACA”). The Court never reached the merits of the challenge, relying instead on its now robust Article III standing doctrine. The plaintiffs failed to allege injury traceable
Do You Have Employees in Washington State? Take Note: New Long-Term Care Payroll Tax Goes Into Effect January 1, 2022
Seyfarth Synopsis: In an effort to plan for the projected long-term care needs of its residents, State of Washington passed the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act (SHB 1323) requiring each worker in Washington to contribute $0.58 per $100 (0.58%) of wages to a trust set aside to pay long-term care benefits for its residents.
Yes, Your Health FSA Can Cover Your Surgical Mask Purchase!
Seyfarth Synopsis: Avid readers of Beneficially Yours may recall that just over a year ago we asked the pressing question of whether surgical mask purchases could be covered under a health care FSA, among other “novel” coronavirus questions — see what we did there? [Click here for our previous post.] The IRS has confirmed our
One-Year Expiration of Outbreak Period: Pandemic Rages On, But It’s (Probably) Time to Pay Your COBRA Premiums
Seyfarth Synopsis: As you’ll recall, last Spring, the DOL and IRS issued guidelines providing relief from certain deadlines for employee benefit plans, retroactive to March 1, 2020 (i.e., the beginning of the COVID-19 national emergency declared by the President). The relief was issued pursuant to authority granted to the agencies under ERISA Section 518 and