Employee Benefits News
Q3 Compliance: Key Disclosure Deadlines for Group Health Plans
With the second half of the year underway, employers that sponsor group health plans should take steps to stay ahead of key compliance obligations due in the coming months.
Federal reporting and disclosure requirements under laws such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Affordable Care Act must be addressed during the summer and fall months to avoid potential penalties and ensure participants receive the required information.
Click below for a detailed summary of required disclosures and deadlines.
Webinar Recording: How Employers Should Handle PCORI Fees for Plan Years Ending in 2025
The ACA imposes a fee on employers with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a self-insured plan to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fees. That includes employers with a Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA) or Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA). This fee is always due by July 31 of the calendar year following the end of the plan year. For plan years ending in 2025, the PCORI fees are due by July 31, 2026.
Our Senior Vice President of Compliance, Corbin Granger, recently hosted a webinar on the PCORI fees, completing Form 720, calculating the average number of lives, and more!
Health FSA vs. HSA: Which Type of Account is Best?
Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are popular types of medical savings accounts. Both health FSAs and HSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses; yet, there are several important differences between the two. For example, while HSAs must be paired with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), health FSAs are typically offered with traditional group health plans that have lower cost-sharing requirements.
Employers should weigh several factors when deciding between a health FSA paired with a traditional health plan or an HSA/HDHP pairing, including workforce demographics, employer resources, and overall benefits strategies.
Click below for additional resources and a quick reference FSA vs. HSA comparison chart.
2027 HSA and HDHP Limits
Each year, the IRS announces inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs).
This helpful chart shows the HSA and HDHP limits for 2027 compared to 2026. It also includes the catch-up contribution limit that applies to HSA-eligible individuals who are age 55 or older, which is not adjusted for inflation and stays the same from year to year.
Click below for the 2027 chart.
HR on Mic Podcast
Our HR on Mic podcast is your source for thoughtful discussions about HR, compliance, benefits, and treating people right.
Hosted by Corbin Granger, Towne Benefits Senior Vice President of Compliance, and Barbara Jennings, Towne Benefits Human Resources Consultant, HR on Mic provides helpful information on human resources and compliance topics in short, easy-to-listen-to segments.
Our latest episode covers a range of employee benefits topics of interest to employers, including tax-deductible overtime pay, pre-tax dependent care accounts, and tuition reimbursement.