April 9, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), enacted on March 11, 2021, allows qualified beneficiaries to receive premium assistance if health coverage was lost because of involuntary termination of employment or a reduction in hours. This assistance is available for the coverage period beginning on April 1, 2021, and ending on September 30, 2021. Premium assistance is initially “advanced” by the plan sponsor or insurer and then recovered or reimbursed through a tax credit.

June 5, 2020

In response to questions we have received related to the benefit plans we administer, Chard Snyder has compiled these helpful resources to provide guidance for our partners. Answers include the most recent information shared by the U.S. government and its agencies regarding the impact of COVID-19 on these services.

March 30, 2020

On Friday, March 27, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued further guidance on the FFCRA, including the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.

February 28, 2019

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced increased 2019 penalties for employee benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The increases generally apply to penalties that involve employee benefit reporting and disclosure failures if the penalty is assessed after January 23, 2019 and if the violation occurred after November 2, 2015.

September 12, 2018

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced increased 2018 penalties for employee benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The increases generally apply to penalties that involve employee benefit reporting and disclosure failures if the penalty is assessed after January 2, 2018, and if the violation occurred after November 2, 2015. As a background, the 2015 Inflation Adjustment Act directs the DOL to annually adjust for inflation certain penalties for specified ERISA violations.