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  • Want to Increase Productivity? Support Working Parents

    Want to Increase Productivity? Support Working Parents

    As the flu and RSV season gets underway, companies are asking themselves how they can support employees who need to stay home to care for their children.  In fact, last October, 104,000 Americans missed work because of “childcare problems” – the highest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the figure in 2003. …

  • Think Intelligent About Artificial Intelligence

    Think Intelligent About Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence, including so-called “large language models” like ChatGPT, has rapidly become a major talking point in the press, amongst governments, and maybe even in your office! While AI has been a subject in the background for decades, everyday web users can now engage with AI like never before.   But whenever there is a sea…

  • HR News

    HR News

    Pushback on Remote Work Nowadays, many employers are insisting that workers return to the office in full force. Last week, HR Exchange Network reported on Goldman Sachs enforcing a five-day RTO rule. The Street recently reported on how Dimon longs for the same at JPMorgan Chase. This is not new news. Some have suggested the…

  • Benefits 101: What Is Open Enrollment?

    Benefits 101: What Is Open Enrollment?

    For millions of Americans, the end of the year is open enrollment season – a yearly opportunity to take stock of your health care needs and select the health insurance plan that works best for you.  It is a window of time – typically in the fall – when you can sign up for health…

  • Compliance Recap August 2023

    Compliance Recap August 2023

    IRS DECREASES 2024 ACA AFFORDABILITY TO 8.39% The IRS has announced a reduction in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability percentage for plan years starting in 2024, lowering it from 9.12% in 2023 to 8.39%. This affordability percentage determines the maximum portion of an employee’s household income that can be spent on self-only coverage while still complying…

  • The Return of Student Loans: Ease Your Employee’s Anxiety

    The Return of Student Loans: Ease Your Employee’s Anxiety

    In the U.S., the outstanding balance is $1.75 trillion in student loan debt.  Approximately 55% of students from public four-year universities have student loans, with a balance of $37,338 owed per borrower.  Beginning in October, workers nationwide will need to resume payments on their student loans for the first time since March 2020.  The pandemic-related…

  • 8 Unique Benefits Employers Are Offering to Attract Talent in Asia-Pacific

    8 Unique Benefits Employers Are Offering to Attract Talent in Asia-Pacific

    If the so-called Great Resignation taught us anything, it’s that employees are looking for more than just a salary when it comes to their jobs. Employee benefits have a crucial part in enhancing engagement, attracting new employees, and retaining top talent. Employee benefits refer to any form of compensation that employees receive in addition to their base…

  • Benefits Buzz August 2023

    Benefits Buzz August 2023

    Draft Forms for 2023 ACA Reporting Released The IRS has released draft 2023 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. Draft instructions for these forms have not yet been released. 2023 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are drafts of the forms used by providers of minimum essential coverage, including self-insured plan…

  • Compliance Recap July 2023

    Compliance Recap July 2023

    PROPOSED CHANGES TO SHORT-TERM, LIMITED-DURATION INSURANCE On July 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury proposed changes to modify the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) and the conditions for fixed indemnity insurance to be considered an excepted benefit. The…

  • Why Health Insurance Matters

    Why Health Insurance Matters

    Health insurance may not be the most exciting thing to shop for but it’s one of the most important things that you can buy for yourself and for your family.  Having health insurance has many benefits.  It protects you and your family from financial loss in the same way that home or car insurance does. …