On January 15, 2026, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released updates to its national enforcement projects for fiscal year 2026. EBSA stated that these projects highlight areas the agency will prioritize in its enforcement efforts to: Enhance employee benefit plan compliance, address abusive practices, and strengthen protections for plan participants and beneficiaries. Background EBSA is the organization within the U.S. Department …
Employer-sponsored health plans commonly offer coverage to employees’ spouses and dependents. To help manage healthcare costs, many employers adopt plan design features that limit spousal enrollment when other coverage is available. Spousal carve-out Restriction or exclusion of working spouses from health plan eligibility when coverage is available through their own employer. …
On December 19th, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (Departments) released a proposed rule to enhance health plan price transparency requirements for non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers. According to the Departments, the proposal builds on the 2020 health care transparency final rule, aligning with President Donald Trump’s executive order …
The Delaware Division of Paid Leave has released final regulations for Delaware’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program (PFML), effective January 1, 2026. The regulations update prior rules to provide new definitions of “application year” and “employee” under the program, guidance for self-insured employers, and modifications to information collected by …
As the year winds down, employers must continue prioritizing employee benefits compliance and end-of-year benefits planning. The final months of the year are critical to confirm that all 2025 employee benefits requirements have been completed before year-end. There are numerous employer compliance requirements throughout the year, and taking time to review them …
Employers with insured group health plans may have received a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebate from their health insurers earlier this year. As compliance deadlines approach, employers need to understand how these rebates must be handled under ACA and ERISA rules. Why do Employers receive the MLR rebate? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurers are required to spend a minimum percentage of their …
Understanding how prescription drug coverage works with your healthcare benefits is essential to making informed decisions and managing your overall healthcare expenses. Knowing how prescription drug formularies and tiers operate can help you better understand your plan and potentially save money on prescription medications. A prescription drug formulary is …
PCORI Fee Adjusted for 2026 The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee amount for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2025, and before October 1, 2026, has been increased by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under Notice 2025-61. The updated PCORI fee amount is $3.84 multiplied by the …
The Affordable Care Act established a system, known as the premium tax credit (PTC), to assist eligible individuals and families with low to moderate incomes to afford health insurance purchased through the Exchange. Congress temporarily enhanced the PTC during the COVID-19 pandemic by eliminating the income cap for eligibility and increasing the …
Around 154 million people below the age of 65 are covered by employer-sponsored insurance. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) conducts an annual survey to observe trends in employer-sponsored health benefits, called the 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. Health Insurance Premiums This year, the average premium for employer-sponsored health insurance was …
Open Enrollment can be a confusing time, and concepts and explanations that are filled with acronyms can feel overwhelming. Understanding abbreviations will assist in bridging understanding gaps, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding your benefits elections. # 401 (k) (Section 401, subsection (k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code): …
Creative Benefits, Inc. is proud to announce we have been named a Top-Rated Employee Benefits Consultant in Pennsylvania by Mployer, a leading source for employee benefits research and analytics. This award recognizes brokerage offices nationwide that deliver exceptional value and client satisfaction in employee benefits. We have joined the list …
A recent survey by New York Life Group Benefit Solutions has revealed a critical gap in employee benefits education: only 43% of employees fully understand how to enroll in their workplace benefits. This number has remained unchanged from last year, uniquely positioning employers with the opportunity to provide clear, consistent …
On October 9th, 2025, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2025-32, officially increasing the 2026 pre-tax contribution limit for health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to $3,400—a $100 increase from the 2025 limit. Additionally, employers with health FSAs may allow employees to carry over a certain amount of funds remaining at the …
President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceutical products produced outside the U.S., effective October 1, 2025. Here’s what you need to know: Pharmaceutical Expansion President Donald Trump has stated that facilities that are building manufacturing facilities in the U.S. will not be subject to this new …
