Employee Benefits Archives | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG

Government shutdown continues as start of ACA open enrollment approaches

by Debra Curtis, Rodney Whitlock, Kayla Holgash, Katie Waldo and Maddie News | Oct 28, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The US government shutdown has now lasted nearly one month, marking it as the longest full shutdown in US history, surpassing the previous record held by the partial shutdown of 35 days in 2018 – 2019. As the shutdown continues, pressure mounts to reopen the government due to the growing number of uncompensated federal employees and affected programs; however, a resolution remains elusive. A critical deadline is approaching on November 1, 2025, which could further escalate the pressure to end the shutdown, as it is the start of open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.

The GLP-1 effect: Innovative care delivery models and compliant disease management

by James Ravitz, Jayda Greco, Paul Gadiock and Jae Hyun Lee | Oct 14, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

GLP-1 therapies are transforming obesity and chronic disease treatment, yet navigating their complex regulatory landscape remains critical. From the Food and Drug Administration’s ‘Green List’ to state-specific rules, compliance isn’t optional – it’s a strategic advantage.

In a recent webinar, McDermott Will & Schulte’s Health & Life Sciences Group explored strategies for scaling GLP-1 programs, covering topics like innovative care delivery models, direct-to-consumer advertising enforcement, and compliance best practices.

Access the webinar recording and key takeaways here.

ESOP legislation gains bipartisan support: A look at recent Senate bills

by Allison Wilkerson and Myriem Bennani | Oct 9, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Retirement Plans

Recent bipartisan US Senate proposals aim to strengthen Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) by streamlining their formation for small businesses and expanding US Department of Labor support. The legislation reflects growing consensus that ESOPs enhance retirement security and employee engagement, aligning with broader efforts to modernize benefit structures.

In this BenefitsPRO article, Allison Wilkerson and Myriem Bennani break down the legislation and the implications for ESOP trustees.

IRS reminds employers to make use of educational assistance programs

by Evan Walters, Samuel Hamer, Edward Froelich, Michael Scarduzio and Matthew J. Blaney | Oct 2, 2025 | Employee Benefits

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Tax Tip 2025-59, reminding employers that they can support employees’ undergraduate or graduate education through educational assistance programs. These programs can cover costs such as tuition, books, supplies, equipment, and other fees, as well as qualified student loan repayments.

Learn more about other new IRS guidance here.

Allison Wilkerson weighs in on ESOP legislation in PLANSPONSOR

by Allison Wilkerson | Sep 30, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Retirement Plans

The US House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Workforce recently advanced three retirement-related bills, including the bipartisan Retire through Ownership Act, which aligns Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) valuations with Internal Revenue Service standards. Allison Wilkerson said the bill would “go a long way” in reducing the valuation and fiduciary risk for ESOP trustees who currently depend heavily on case law due to limited formal guidance.

Learn more about these retirement-related bills in this PLANSPONSOR article.

DOJ guidance on unlawful discrimination: Implications for DEI practices in the private sector

by Stephania Sanon, Chris Braham, Martin L. Schmelkin, Ronald E. Richman, Mark E. Brossman, Donna K. Lazarus and Scott A. Gold | Sep 18, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Employment

On July 29, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a guidance memorandum that defines what it considers to be “unlawful discriminatory policies and practices” under federal civil rights laws. The guidance also includes a list of non-binding “best practices” to help entities decrease the risk of legal violations. While the guidance is primarily geared toward federal funding recipients, the DOJ warns that private employers subject to federal civil rights statutes should review the guidance and ensure their employment practices do not run afoul of federal law.

Learn what implications the DOJ’s guidance has for DEI practices in the private sector.

AI in employer-sponsored group health plans: Legal, ethical, and fiduciary considerations

by Alden Bianchi, Jacob Mattinson, Sarah Raaii and Haley Dow | Sep 16, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans

Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly been integrated into the tools used by and for employer-sponsored group health plans, prompting a multitude of concerns. In this article, we discuss key issues that require immediate attention from both plan sponsors and plan administrators.

Find out the legal, ethical, and fiduciary considerations employer-sponsored group health plans should keep in mind when using AI tools.

IRS provides updated mortality tables for defined benefit pension plans

by Evan Walters, Samuel Hamer, Edward Froelich, Michael Scarduzio and Matthew J. Blaney | Aug 22, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Retirement Plans

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2025-40, providing updated static mortality tables for defined benefit pension plans under Code Section 430(h)(3)(A) and Section 303(h)(3)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. These updated static mortality tables apply for purposes of calculating the funding target and other items for valuation dates occurring during the 2026 calendar year.

Learn more about other new IRS guidance here.

Trump EO seeks to expand access to alternative investments in retirement plans

by David Cohen, Ian Levin and Brian Tiemann | Aug 19, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Retirement Plans

On August 7, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.” The order seeks to expand access to alternative investments in retirement plans, aiming to diversify investment options for plan participants.

Learn more about the order here.

What Venus Williams’ health insurance comments reveal about COBRA

by Sarah Raaii | Aug 14, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

When tennis superstar Venus Williams recently spoke about returning to the sport to maintain her health insurance, it highlighted a broader issue many employees face: navigating complex benefits after leaving their jobs. This challenge is particularly acute when it comes to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage, which allows former employees to temporarily keep their employer-sponsored health insurance. As Sarah Raaii points out, the high cost of COBRA and limited alternatives create significant financial strain. To address this, employers could provide clearer information about COBRA, its costs, and available alternatives, enabling employees to make more informed decisions about their health coverage during career transitions.

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