2019 ACA compliance overview — Cost-sharing limits

The Affordable Care Act has made significant changes to group health plans since it was enacted in 2010. Many of these key reforms became effective in 2014 and 2015, including health plan design changes, increased wellness program incentives and employer shared responsibility penalties.

Changes to some ACA requirements, such as increased dollar limits, take effect in 2019 for employers sponsoring group health plans. To prepare for 2019, employers should review upcoming requirements and develop a compliance strategy.

This article provides an overview of cost-sharing limits applicable to non-grandfathered plans.

2019 ACA compliance overview — Plan design changes

The Affordable Care Act has made significant changes to group health plans since it was enacted in 2010. Many of these key reforms became effective in 2014 and 2015, including health plan design changes, increased wellness program incentives and employer shared responsibility penalties.

Changes to some ACA requirements, such as increased dollar limits, take effect in 2019 for employers sponsoring group health plans. To prepare for 2019, employers should review upcoming requirements and develop a compliance strategy.

This article provides an overview of plan design changes for grandfathered plans and an update on FSA contributions.

Q4 Market Recap: “Bookends” of volatility in 2018

The year 2018 ended as it began, with significant market volatility. Some market analysts believe the combination of algorithmic trading and the elimination of the uptick rule may be contributing factors. Ironically, some volatility is a necessary evil for investors who view a stake in equities as essential to reaching their longterm goals.

Read the Q4 Market Recap to learn more about the individual periods of market volatility throughout 2018 and the root cause behind them.

If you have any questions, or would like to begin talking to a retirement plan advisor, please get in touch by calling (855) 882-9177 or e-mail us at sbs@hanys.org.

Congratulations to Cobleskill Regional Hospital

Congratulations to Cobleskill Regional Hospital on being named a finalist for PLANSONSOR’s 2019 Plan Sponsor of the Year in the nonprofit defined contribution <$250 million category!

The Plan Sponsor of the Year annual award program recognizes retirement plan sponsors that show a commitment to their participants’ financial health and retirement success.

Strategic Benefit Services is proud of all that you have accomplished!

7 questions employees should ask about Paid Family Leave

1. If I started my continuous leave in 2018 and it extends into 2019, am I eligible for the benefits at the 2019 rate and an extra two weeks?

You get the benefit rate and number of weeks in effect on the first day of your leave.

2. If I started my intermittent leave in 2018 and it extends into 2019, am I eligible for the benefits at the 2019 rate and an extra two weeks?

You get the benefit rate and number of weeks in effect on the first day of a period of leave. When more than three months passes between days of Paid Family Leave, your next day or period of Paid Family Leave is considered a new claim under the law. This means you will need to file a new Request for Paid Family Leave and that you may be eligible for the increased benefits available should this day or period of Paid Family Leave begin in 2019.

3. I had a new baby in the fall of 2018. Can still take Paid Family Leave in 2019 to get the enhanced benefits?

Yes, you can take Paid Family Leave for bonding with a new child at any time within the first 12 months of the child’s birth, adoption or foster care placement, provided that you remain an eligible, covered employee.


To read all 7 question and answers, click here for a downloadable version. Questions and answers can also be found on paidfamilyleave.ny.gov.

If you have any questions, or would like to begin talking to an employee benefits consultant, please get in touch by email or by calling (855) 882-9177.

Q3 Market Recap: Hear the U.S. Economy Roar!

But Listen to the Whispers of Caution, Too

The U.S. economy’s robust growth continues to lead global expansion, but there are reasons for investor caution moving forward as interest rates continue to rise incrementally, concern about inflation grows, and market volatility increases.

The Q3 Market Recap shows that the global economic expansion continues, although at a slightly lowered pace. Last quarter, the Market Recap covered the strength in the leading economic indicators. Positive stock performance was underpinned by solid economic data again in the third quarter.

As the U.S. economy continues its remarkable recovery from the recession a decade ago, investors are paying attention to all of these global and domestic activities that may influence how long and how strong this recovery will be going forward.

Read the Q3 Market Recap to learn more. If you have any questions, or would like to begin talking to a retirement plan advisor, please get in touch by calling (855) 882-9177 or e-mail us at sbs@hanys.org.

What’s Happening in the Retirement Market?

Rob Peter to Pay Paul?

Typically this idiom has had a negative connotation, but the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) August 17 Private Letter Ruling approving the amendment of Abbott Lab’s 401(k) to include a student loan repayment benefit implies there might be circumstances when it’s not only ok “to take from one source to give to another,” but financially savvy.

The IRS gave its blessing to Abbott Lab’s making non-elective contributions to the 401(k) plan based on an employee’s total student loan repayments made outside the plan. These employer contributions would be in lieu of the matching contributions that would otherwise be made to the plan had the employee made elective contributions. However, the employer may provide a year end true-up match to ensure that if there are pay periods where the employee fails to make student loan repayments, but opts to make elective contributions during the same period, the employee would be eligible to receive a true-up matching contribution.