On November 7, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance and relief for employee benefit plans and participants impacted by Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Helene, and Hurricane Milton .
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. voters overwhelmingly support extending pre-deductible telehealth coverage and oppose the taxation of employer-provided health care, according to election night polling results released today.
To better understand the value of ERISA preemption to large employers, the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the American Benefits Council conducted roundtable discussions with over a dozen benefits executives at large companies.
On September 9, 2024, the U.S. departments of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services (the "tri-agencies") released the much-anticipated Final Rule implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).
The American Benefits Council 's response to the request for comments in Notice 2024-65 that was issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service regarding the implementation of Saver's Match contributions.
On October 30, the Council submitted a letter to the Solicitor General's office and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), asking that the government recommend that the Supreme Court refrain from taking up Oklahoma's appeal in this case, including because the 10th Circuit decision is consistent with Supreme Court and other ERISA preemption precedent. The Council also explains for the government the importance of ERISA preemption to employers and employees and the myriad issues that would occur if it were to be undermined. The letter also addresses some problematic arguments made by DOL in a previous amicus brief in the case that would substantially undermine the scope of ERISA preemption.
In connection with the upcoming public policy dialogue about tax issues in 2025, the American Benefits Council ("the Council") would like to take the opportunity through this paper to emphasize the importance of preserving the current tax incentives for retirement savings.
Comment letter on Notice 2024-55, which provides guidance on the relief provided by Section 115 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 for emergency personal expense distributions and Section 314 of SECURE 2.0 for domestic abuse victim distributions.
On behalf of the American Benefits Council ("the Council"), I am writing to provide comments on the proposed regulations relating to the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022's changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules that apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs). The following letter provides the Council's comments on those recently proposed regulations. In addition, we have also heard member feedback, concerns, and questions on a series of issues that were addressed by the final RMD regulations published on July 19, 2024 ("final RMD regulations"). Accordingly, our letter includes an appendix conveying those reactions to the final RMD regulations.
WASHINGTON, DC – Ilyse Schuman, senior vice president, health and paid leave policy at the American Benefits Council, testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce's Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, urging lawmakers to preserve and defend the federal framework that has enabled the success of the employer-provided benefits system.
Testimony of Ilyse Schuman before the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions on ERISA's 50th Anniversary: The Value of Employer-Sponsored Benefits
The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has issued a request for information on Section 103 of the SECURE 2.0 Act, which relates to the new "Saver's Match" that will apply beginning in 2027.
On behalf of the American Benefits Council ("the Council"), I am writing in strong support of the Healthy Competition for Better Care Act (H.R. 3120) and Transparent Telehealth Bills Act (H.R. 9457). The Council urges the committee to pass both pieces of legislation.
