Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) have always relied on a certain level of predictability when it comes time to estimating your election. But, with a year like 2020, it might take just a few extra steps to COVID-proof your election for 2021. 1. Estimate your Guaranteed Expenses We all have certain unavoidable medical expenses. These are… Read More
7 Tips for Bringing Employees Back on Payroll
In April 2020, unemployment rates peaked at nearly 15%. Since that time, there has been a steady decline and current unemployment is near 10%. While this is still a far cry from our pre-COVID-19 unemployment rates of 3.5%, employers are increasingly bringing employees back on payroll. However, this task is bringing new challenges to employers,… Read More
Health and wellness programs are essential during reopening
With 90% of states allowing recreation centers to reopen, including gyms, health and wellness programs will be an essential tool for for stress management and employee retention. What are wellness benefits? Health and wellness programs often fall under the auspices of specialty accounts and can be purposed for a variety of expenses, from tuition reimbursements… Read More
Predictions on the future of virtual health care
Where are we now? Our current healthcare system is largely still a brick and mortar, in-person setup… where people who are sick go to be seen, and treated by medically trained individuals. Current trends are now pointing to virtual health care. What changes are coming to virtual health care? Virtual health care is now is… Read More
Going Virtual: The future of child care during COVID-19?
Child care during COVID-19 has been one of the most discussed topics after the pandemic itself, alongside shifting work environments and how companies and the economy are responding. Many parents are expecting to go back to work in offices, albeit a limited number of days a week in some cases, when the last quarter of… Read More
3 memes to describe how HR managers are feeling right now
The worldwide situation with the coronavirus has been stressful, to say the least. We’ve heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. That’s why we compiled these memes to describe how HR and benefits professionals might be feeling right now. Up first: How many is too many? #askingforafriend Chances are you’re working on updates… Read More
Your 4-step back to work guide for commuting
People going back to work after COVID-19 are facing new challenges, including how to maintain social distancing protocols during notoriously busy commutes. Here are four ways employers can help create a safer commute that balances flexibility with safety. Help participants transfer from mass transit to parking benefits As employees begin to come back to work,… Read More
What will commuting after COVID-19 look like?
Many have started the process of commuting after COVID-19, leaving employees and employers alike wondering how the transition will unfold. During the change, certain trends have emerged including a focus on reducing contact with shared items. Minimize contact with shared public surfaces While the CDC has identified that surfaces pose less of a threat in… Read More
IRS releases new relief affecting FSAs
A release from the IRS provides new relief affecting FSAs, including Medical FSAs and Dependent Care FSAs. There are four main changes provided in the relief, addressed in two notices. What is the new relief affecting FSAs? Within Notice 2020-29 from the IRS, taxpayers using FSAs will receive the following relief: Change #1: Extended claim… Read More
Download Now: Remote Work Guide
In Creating an Effective Benefits Communication Strategy for a Remote Workforce, you’ll find a bunch of tips and tricks to have a successful remote Open Enrollment experience. Download your copy here: What’s inside: The five stages to develop your custom benefits strategy Key must-have pre-tax messages to include What causes low adoption rates (and how to… Read More
