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Had Roger Ma not happened to check an old account, he may never have noticed that he and his wife were missing cash that was rightfully theirs. In March, a couple of months after his wife left her job at Amazon, Ma, a certified financial planner in Washington, D.C., says he randomly logged into her old workplace 401(k) account.
State and local governments across the country for years have been grappling with a mounting fiscal challenge: unfunded Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities. In many jurisdictions, these obligations now surpass pension debt, placing unprecedented strain on public budgets and long-term financial planning.
Costs for employer coverage are expected to surge about 9.5% in 2026, according to an estimate from Aon, while an employer survey by WTW suggested 9.2%.
If you’re a total rewards leader who’s just hearing about an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA), it’s likely because the option has only been around for the last five years.
Government employers are battling unfunded retiree health care obligations, but they may have a solution right in front of them. The “long-term price tag” of public sector employee benefits continues to grow, wrote Steve Schatt, senior director of WTW’s health, wealth and career business segment, and Christian Goodman, retiree health care strategist at WTW, in their recent article.
Parents with crushing child care expenses will get a little more help in 2026, from Trump’s new mega tax and spending law. The new tax law permanently increases the annual pre-tax contribution limit for dependent care flexible spending accounts, or DCFSAs, to $7,500 for married, joint filers. That’s up from $5,000 and is the first change since 1986, apart from a temporary pandemic-era boost in 2021.
When President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 1, otherwise known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, on July 4, the bill reinstated and permanently extended the high-deductible health plan (HDHP) telehealth safe harbor for plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2024.
Unfunded retiree health care debt is becoming an unsustainable financial burden for state and local governments, as the price tag for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) grows larger with medical inflation, while assets set aside to pre-fund these obligations remain low.
Flexible spending accounts are firmly entrenched in the benefits package for most American employers, particularly those with a large number of employees.
Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) could potentially lead to higher spending for both employers and their employees.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, running from July 1, 2026 through 2027. Under this "demonstration" program, all enrollees in Medicare Part D, including individual and group MAPD plans and standalone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs), will be able to fill GLP-1 prescriptions for the treatment of obesity by paying a $50 copay for each month of supply.
CMS’s 2027 MA Final Notice points to retiree market stability, while group post-65 plans grow riskier, pushing employers toward individual Medicare exchanges.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) signals flat Medicare Advantage funding, raising new questions for employers and retirees alike.
ICHRAs offer employers a flexible, tax-free way to control healthcare costs while empowering employees with personalized insurance choices.
As 2025 comes to a close, effective year-end planning for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) is more important than ever for maximizing healthcare savings and avoiding forfeited funds.
As annual enrollment approaches, employers play a crucial role in guiding employees to select and fund the account that best fits their needs. Instead of focusing solely on the differences between Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), consider a strategy that prioritizes helping employees choose the right account.
Annual enrollment isn’t just a time for employees to select their benefits, it’s a rare moment when they’re actively thinking about their health, finances, and future. In 2025, with rising inflation, increased financial stress, and a growing demand for personalized support, this window is more critical than ever.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a powerful tool for employees to manage healthcare costs, but many don’t realize just how flexible these accounts can be. As an employer, helping your team understand the full scope of HSA-eligible expenses can dramatically improve benefit utilization, boost employee satisfaction, and reinforce your commitment to holistic wellness.
Higher education is experiencing a period of profound disruption and change. Economic pressures — including threats to research funding, an expansion of the endowment tax, and cuts to state support for public universities — are putting many institutions under significant financial strain.
As job structures shift, many workers lack employer-sponsored healthcare. Forward-thinking employers partner with Via Benefits to offer individual coverage without increasing budgets.
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Retirement often brings a welcome sense of freedom, but it can also introduce a new level of complexity when it comes to healthcare. Medicare enrollment, supplemental coverage options, prescription drug plans, provider networks, and reimbursement arrangements can leave retirees feeling overwhelmed by the number of decisions they need to make.
Mid-year is a natural checkpoint for employers and plan sponsors to review benefits strategies, assess engagement, and refine communication plans. It is also an ideal time to revisit retirement healthcare conversations.
Pride Month, observed each June, is a time to recognize and celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) community. For LGBTQ+ older adults, Pride Month offers an opportunity to celebrate identity, reflect on lived experiences, and highlight the importance of inclusive, supportive care as people age.
National Donut Day is the perfect excuse to grab your favorite treat, glazed, sprinkled, filled, or classic. And while we still love a good donut, there’s one “donut” you won’t run into anymore: the Medicare “donut hole.”
National Senior Health and Fitness Day is observed each year on the last Wednesday in May. The day highlights the importance of staying active, maintaining overall wellbeing, and supporting healthy aging as people move through retirement.
May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the contributions of older adults and highlight the importance of supporting their health and financial wellbeing as they age. As healthcare costs and plan complexity rise, Older Americans Month is a reminder that retiree healthcare is one of the biggest hidden drivers of financial insecurity.
National Employee Benefits Day is a chance to pause and look at the full picture of your benefits strategy. Beyond being a line item on a compensation package, employee benefits play a meaningful role in supporting wellbeing, financial security, and long-term confidence at work and beyond.
April is Financial Literacy Month, an opportunity for employers and plan sponsors to reinforce their commitment to their employees’ long‑term financial wellbeing well into retirement.
For many organizations, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are a valuable part of the total rewards strategy, helping employees manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs while maximizing tax savings
As tax season approaches, many employers focus on payroll reporting, compliance and year‑end clean‑up. But there’s another timely opportunity that often goes overlooked: employees may still be able to make Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for the prior tax year up until the federal tax‑filing deadline.
February is Financial Wellness Month, a timely opportunity for plan sponsors to evaluate how their benefit strategies support not only day-to-day financial stability, but also long-term healthcare readiness.
January is International Quality of Life Month, making it the perfect time for employers to encourage employees and retirees to consider what it truly means to live well, both now and in the future.
As temperatures drop and winter illnesses surge, employers have an important opportunity to help employees prepare for the season ahead. Winter is one of the highest utilization periods for healthcare, and employees often need guidance on how to make the most of their HSAs and FSAs.
Every November, National Family Caregivers Month honors the millions of family caregivers across the country who care for loved ones. These caregivers provide support to children, seniors, individuals with disabilities or those with chronic conditions to maintain a quality of life.
Policy shifts and rising trends demand a new benefits model. Defined contribution healthcare offers budget clarity and employee choice.
National Retirement Security Week is held annually during the month of October. Its purpose is to raise awareness and help individuals to take the next steps toward a secure retirement.
Every year on October 1, the world recognizes International Day of Older Persons, reminding us to honor the contributions of older adults and reflect on how we can better support their health, security, and quality of life.
September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on long-term wellbeing, including both physical and financial health. For employers, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how benefits can support employees well beyond their working years.
August is National Wellness Month, a timely opportunity for employers to champion self-care, stress management, and healthy routines across their workforce. Organizations play a vital role in promoting lifelong wellness through thoughtful benefit design and engagement.
National Disability Independence Day is observed in the United States on July 26. It commemorates the anniversary of signing the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA is a landmark civil rights legislation that criminalizes any discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures that they receive equal rights.