Health care expenses are expected to rise significantly in 2025, with projections indicating a 7%-8% increase. This aligns with similar trends in 2024, showcasing the cumulative impact of ongoing cost growth. Below are the primary drivers of these increases: GLP-1 Medications: Glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs typically require long-term use to deliver intended health benefits. Currently, 6% [...]
For some, the lyrics "with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call, it’s the hap-happiest season of all" stirs happy memories of Christmas caroling. However, for others, the holidays can be one of the most stressful and isolating times of the year. The season often brings a whirlwind of demands—shopping, [...]
Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are adjusted for inflation. For 2025, most of these limits have increased. However, some limits, such as those for dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Account (HSA) catch-up contributions, remain unchanged. Key Benefit Limits for 2025: Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions Single [...]
Employee benefits can be a complex landscape, filled with acronyms and unfamiliar terms. In fact, more than 50% of American adults report that they don’t have a clear understanding of their health insurance. Many people are confused because they reach adulthood without ever learning the basics of health insurance terminology. Illiteracy about health insurance is [...]
As the year comes to an end, a crucial compliance deadline looms for employers with health plans. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), health plans and insurance issuers must submit a Gag Clause Compliance Attestation by December 31, 2024. Since its enactment in 2020, this regulation prohibits health plans from including gag clauses—provisions that limit [...]
On October 22, 2024, the IRS announced that the limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to a health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will increase to $3,3000 for plan years beginning in 2025. This is an increase from the 2024 limit of $3,200. By understanding the latest contribution limits, individuals can better plan for 2025 and [...]
While employee turnover has stabilized since the Great Resignation, turnover risk has surged to its highest level in nearly a decade. According to a recent Gallup report, more than half of U.S. employees (51%) are either watching for or actively seeking new job opportunities—a continuation of the rising trend seen in recent years. A subtle shift in [...]
All too often, illness or injury appears out of the blue: You wake up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain. Or your baby spikes a high fever on the weekend. These situations are stressful and it’s hard to think when you’re under stress. But you need to decide where to go [...]
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires large employers to offer affordable health insurance coverage to their full-time employees or face a penalty known as the "Pay or Play" tax. This tax is based on the employer's average monthly wage (AMW) and the number of full-time employees. The affordability rate for employer-sponsored health coverage will increase from 8.39% to [...]
Will employees ever re-gain leverage and grow more engaged in their work? More than 40 years ago, workers could retire from the same company where they started their career. That implied employment guarantee shifted when the American economy changed from consistent growth to a boom/bust cycle that created uncertainty and volatility, impacting job stability. Since [...]
