Benefits
Maryland Passes Paid Family and Medical Leave Law
Maryland’s Time to Care Act (TTCA) establishes a paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance program. Contributions to the program will start on October 1, 2023. Contribution rates are still to be determined. Those rates will be determined no later than June 1, 2023. Starting in 2025, covered employees may take up to 12 weeks of leave…
Read MoreOpen Enrollment: Plan Changes for 2023
As always, a new year brings new changes for group health plan sponsors. As open enrollment approaches, sponsors should take note of the required changes for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, and review plan documents to make sure all changes are incorporated. Additionally, any plan changes must be communicated to plan…
Read MoreBenefits 101: Educating Younger Employees
In the age of the Great Resignation (or the Great Reshuffle, if you prefer), anything an employer can do to retain talent is vital. Providing a substantial benefits package is obviously important, but many employers overlook the important step of making sure their team actually understands what’s in the package and how it can make…
Read MoreEmployers – Be Careful with COBRA Notices!
Employers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient (COBRA) election notices, with statutory penalties of up $110 per person per day. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. The fact employers are struggling to comply with COBRA notice requirements means employers…
Read MoreHR Hotline – Real People, Real Answers
In a recent post we discussed our HR and Compliance Portal, our online portal for convenient access to resources on safety, compliance and much more (read about it here). While this portal is a vast and searchable resource, sometimes you need a little personal guidance, especially when it comes to matters of Human Resources. Chances…
Read MoreEmployee Benefits – Make it Personal
Each workforce is comprised of unique individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests. So why opt for a one-size-fits-all benefits package? Instead, consider providing benefits options that are as unique as your employees. Doing so could be the attraction and retention tool that sets your workplace apart. In fact, 73% of employees said having customized benefits…
Read MoreTax Credits for your Business under FFCRA and ARPA
On March 3, 2022, the IRS issued four new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about tax credits for employee leave taken under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The new FAQs concern employer and employee reporting of wages for leave taken under the FFCRA and ARPA…
Read MoreMaking Your Day Easier with our Client Portal!
At Consolidated Insurance, our belief has always been that we best serve our clients as not just a broker, but as a partner in helping their businesses better manage their risk. To that end, we’re proud to re-introduce the HR and Compliance Client Portal (formerly MyWave Connect), a time-saving online resource that puts clients in…
Read MoreEmployee Wellness in 2022 – Trends to Watch
Employee wellness has always been a primary concern for employers, and never more than over the past two years as the pandemic has challenged all of us in many ways. With this renewed focus on the general well-being of team members, wellness initiatives are expected to grow in 2022. Here’s a look at trends to…
Read MoreThe American Rescue Plan’s COBRA Subsidy: Questions Answered
Among its many other provisions, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) included a subsidy for continuing health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The ARPA subsidy covers 100% of COBRA and state mini-COBRA premiums from April 1st through September 30 of 2021, for certain individuals whose work hours were…
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