History Ten years ago, Malorie McLaughlin relocated to Northeastern Pennsylvania with her family and entered into the health insurance industry with a desire to build a meaningful and long-term career. With a decade of experience teaching special education in New York, Malorie came to Creative Benefits, Inc. with a unique …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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): …
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 …
The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans anticipates a 10% increase in healthcare costs in 2026. Cost predictions have been stated as follows: Mercer predicts that the total health benefit cost per employee will rise 6.5% on average in 2026, marking the highest increase since 2010, even after planned cost-reduction …
Employers are bracing for 2026 health insurance cost increases projected to be the largest in 15 years. The surge in health benefit expenses could place financial pressure on organizations that aren’t actively planning cost-reduction strategies. Projections A new Mercer report projects that the total health benefit cost per employee will …
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are powerful tax-advantaged tools designed to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) save for medical expenses. As 2026 approaches, staying compliant with new HSA regulations and IRS rules is more important than ever. Tax Benefits of an HSA: Tax-deductible or pre-tax contributions (via payroll deductions). …
High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are becoming an increasingly popular health insurance offering among employees. Despite the higher deductibles, HDHPs can be a cost-effective and tax-advantaged choice for those who: Don’t anticipate frequent medical expenses Want to take advantage of the tax-advantaged savings opportunities. Understanding HDHPs is essential when making educated …
A recent Gallagher survey found that one-third of surveyed employers plan to expand voluntary benefit offerings by 2027. Highlighting the growing importance of these offerings within competitive employee benefits packages. Notably, two-thirds of surveyed employers reported they currently offer voluntary benefits to ensure their benefits packages are comprehensive. What are …
