For retirement plans that authorize hardship distributions, plan sponsors should be cognizant of the impacts the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) and the Bipartisan Budget Act (the “Budget Act”) may have on plan administration related to such distributions. First, the TCJA may indirectly affect plan administration in light […]
Labor & Employment Law Update
Are Your Free or Discounted Flu Shots to Employees Compliant with the ACA?
As the inevitable cold and flu season approaches, many employers are looking for ways to provide free or discounted flu shots to their employees. What many employers do not consider is whether the offering of free or discounted flu shots (or similar benefits) is subject to the Affordable Care Act […]
Recent IRS Guidance Provides Options for Employers in Addressing Employee Student Loan Debt While Helping Employees Save for Retirement
On August 17, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a private letter ruling to address an employer’s ability to provide a student loan repayment benefit in its 401(k) plan. In the ruling, the IRS authorized an employer’s proposed amendment to its 401(k) plan which provided for employer student loan […]
A Primer on Class Action Waivers
The term “class action waivers” has been in the news a lot lately. Employers are well advised to understand why; and more importantly, the practical workplace implications of that particular description. What exactly are class action waivers? Basically, they are agreements by which employees waive their right to pursue legal […]
DOL Reverses Course on Unpaid Interns and Withdrawn Opinion Letters
As often happens when a new administration of the opposite political party is installed, the Department of Labor (DOL) under President Trump made several announcements last month that evidence a shift in the agency’s enforcement policy. First, the DOL rescinded its 2010 guidance on when unpaid internships are acceptable under […]