Key Takeaways - The FY 2027 budget process is underway, with the president submitting his proposal April 3 and committees beginning hearings the week of April 13. Senate leadership is expected to move a budget resolution the...more
In December, the Treasury Department (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance addressing tax issues for businesses, education, energy, real estate, individuals, retirement and other sectors. Several...more
President Trump recently signed Executive Order 14370, removing barriers to research related to the medical benefits of marijuana, requesting its reclassification from a Schedule I to a Schedule III under the Controlled...more
In the December Monthly Minute, we unwrap new guidance that permanently permits pre-deductible telehealth coverage under HDHP/HSA plans as well as the latest IRS guidance addressing how the new Trump Accounts will work in the...more
The IRS recently issued new guidance clarifying which telehealth and remote care services may be offered by a high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) before a deductible is satisfied without jeopardizing health savings account...more
On December 9, 2025, the IRS issued Notice 2026-05, which provides guidance on the HSA provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBB”). The Notice provides much-anticipated guidance right before many of these provisions...more
With only two weeks left of U.S. Congress in session, a final push for a consensus on healthcare is underway. Both Democrats and Republicans are hoping to secure political wins for their parties and constituencies while the...more
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced 2026 dollar limits for qualified retirement plans (including 401(k) plans), deferred compensation plans, and health and welfare plans. Adjustments to certain limits are based on...more
The IRS released the 2026 contribution and plan limits for retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b) and IRAs and HSAs – and most of the key thresholds are moving up. Higher caps mean greater opportunities for employees to...more
On November 13, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2025-67, which sets forth the 2026 cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limits on benefits and contributions for qualified retirement plans. The...more
Whether and how to cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss is a challenging issue for many employers. As obesity rates remain high in many states, employers are making tough decisions about whether and how to cover GLP-1...more
The IRS announced cost-of-living adjustments for various benefit plan limitations and thresholds that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The limits for 2026 and 2025 and the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code are...more
On November 13, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to the dollar limits on benefits and contributions in retirement plans for 2026. These adjustments are in addition to...more
I. Scouting Report: How We Got to 2026 - Several federal updates issued in 2024–2025 take effect in 2026. This section highlights the developments that drive the 2026 adjustments....more
The Internal Revenue Service has released cost of living increase numbers for many retirement and welfare plan limits for plan years commencing in 2026. The elective deferral limit for 401(k) and 403(b) plans increased from...more
On November 13, 2025, the IRS published its annual cost of living adjustments for various retirement plan limits. These adjustments are consistent with the rate of increases in prior years, reflecting moderate inflation...more
As employees approach age 65, it is important to provide them with clear, neutral information about their health coverage options—specifically, the choice between remaining on a company’s group health plan or enrolling in...more
On October 16, 2025, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services issued FAQs about Affordable Care Act Implementation Part 72, which clarify how employers may offer fertility benefits as a HIPAA excepted...more
On October 9, 2025, the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2025-32, which announces the 2026 indexed limits for certain health and welfare benefits. This is in addition to the limits the IRS announced in Rev. Proc. 2025-19 on May 1,...more
Annual benefits enrollment, which for many companies will be in the coming months, typically lasts one to two weeks, but the preparation process begins several months in advance. For human resources (HR) and benefits teams,...more
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The act extends several provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, expands Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility, and creates new...more
Certain Coverage or Benefits Allowed with Health Savings Account Contributions. Telemedicine can continue to be offered to employees participating in a high-deductible health plan without the employees in such a plan losing...more
There is a possibility for one or more additional reconciliation bills during late 2025 and 2026, and therefore additional opportunities for enactment of additional provisions, as well as changes and improvements to the...more
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), finalized and signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, makes several key changes that impact employers, benefit plan sponsors and plan administrators....more
Public Law 119-21, generally referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (the “Act”) and signed into law on July 4, 2025, includes several employee benefit provisions that employers will want to be aware of. Below is an...more