Takeaways
Articles Discussing General Topics In Employee Benefits.
What Do Employers Owe When Withdrawing From Pension Plans? SCOTUS to Weigh In
The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear a case to determine what interest rate assumptions should apply when an employer leaves a multiemployer pension plan. The case could have major financial implications for some employers.
Compliance Corner: Nondiscrimination Rules for Health and Welfare Plans
Employers that sponsor health and welfare benefits for their employees must consider whether their cost structures and benefit designs meet the various nondiscrimination requirements that apply to health and welfare plans under federal law, particularly in situations where benefits and/or cost structures vary for different groups of employees. Unlike the nondiscrimination rules that apply to retirement plans, the nondiscrimination rules for group health and welfare plans can, at times, be ambiguous and subject to disparate interpretations. In this Compliance Corner article, we will provide a high-level overview of the various nondiscrimination rules that can apply to health and welfare plans, and we will discuss some of the unsettled ambiguities in the nondiscrimination rules under Sections 125 and 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).
Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill Changes HSA Rules and Impacts Income Taxes
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a comprehensive budget reconciliation bill into law, loosening rules around health savings accounts (HSAs), extending telehealth relief, and providing additional income tax relief for tips, overtime pay, and some popular employee fringe benefits.
Senate HELP committee shares health and retirement plan legislative priorities
A recent NAPA article notes key priorities of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), now chaired by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Cassidy and ranking member Bernie…
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill (Employee Benefits Version)
On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (the “Bill”), which introduces significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), with notable implications for employee benefits. The Bill extends and expands upon the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The Bill was introduced as a centerpiece of former President Donald Trump’s policy for his second term. The original TCJA lowered individual and corporate tax rates, increased the standard deduction, and reshaped the Code. However, many of the provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025. This article seeks to summarize the key provisions in the Bill relating to employee benefits; however, employers should familiarize themselves with the full text of the Bill and specific implications as to each employer.
2025 Labor & Employment Legal Trends: Common Benefits Issues
Jones Walker’s Labor and Employment group frequently identifies trends impacting employers. In our recent client alert, we provided a comprehensive list of key areas employers need to…
“2025 Labor & Employment and Employee Benefits Hot Topics”
Every day, employers face an evolving landscape of labor and employment legal challenges. Navigating these challenges requires thoughtful planning and skilled guidance in order to maintain an…
Regulators Pause Mental Health Parity Rules Enforcement
Federal regulators recently indicated they will not enforce parts of the final regulations issued in September 2024 under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and may soon propose new rules altogether.
A Bit of Mental Health Parity Relief for Employers Sponsoring Group Health Plans
Takeaways Even though we have the promise of a non-enforcement policy applying to the 2025 and 2026 deadlines of at least some provisions of the 2024
National Employee Benefits Day: Reflecting on Our Favorite Holiday
Each year, National Employee Benefits Day offers a chance to reflect on the ever-changing landscape of employer-sponsored benefits. This year may be the
What Will Trump 2.0 Mean for Employee Benefits?—One Place to Look for Clues: Project 2025
Even as high-priority issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), immigration, and Ukraine take center stage in the first months of the new presidential administration, many employers are wondering what the next four years might mean for employee benefits.
Is the cybersecurity of employee benefit plans the employer’s problem?
Is the cybersecurity of employee benefit plans the employer’s problem?
Unfortunately, U.S. employee benefit plans are prime targets for criminals all over the world. Hackers break into employee benefit accounts and take sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers, and even steal retirement account funds. In some cases, plan participants
Congress Declines to Extend HDHP First-Dollar Telehealth Coverage Relief
After Congress declined to extend certain relief allowing first-dollar coverage of telehealth services by high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), health plan sponsors may need to make immediate changes to preserve employees’ health savings account (HSA) eligibility.
Workers May Enjoy Wider Range of Benefits Plans for Allocating Employer Contributions
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken the position that employers may incorporate health savings accounts (HSAs) and student loan payments among the allocation options for employer contributions offered outside of cafeteria plans.