October 13, 2020
Three Questions to Consider During Open Enrollment
Individuals in the "sandwich generation" have the dual responsibility of providing care for an adult - often a parent - while also raising children....
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October 13, 2020
Five Investment Tasks to Tackle by Year-End
Federal and state governments have spent extraordinary sums in response to the economic toll inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic...
October 13, 2020
Is It Time to Think About Tax-Free Income?
Federal and state governments have spent extraordinary sums in response to the economic toll inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic...
October 13, 2020
Sandwich Generation Caregivers Face Many Challenges
Individuals in the "sandwich generation" have the dual responsibility of providing care for an adult - often a parent - while also raising children....
October 9, 2020
Surviving Politics in the Workplace 2020 Style
You knew it was only a matter of time and today was the day that you got the call. Two employees in your organization ended up in a heated...
September 15, 2020
Should We Celebrate the Tax Holiday?
On August 8th, President Trump sent a memorandum to the Treasury Department allowing for a tax holiday. The tax holiday allows for employees earning less than $104,000 per year...
September 8, 2020
Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals
Stock market volatility in 2020 has clearly reinforced at least one important investing principle: Short-term goals typically require a conservative investment approach....
September 8, 2020
Surge in COVID-19 Scams
Fraudsters and scam artists have always looked for new ways to prey on consumers....
September 8, 2020
Printing Money: The Fed’s Bond-Buying Program
The Federal Reserve's unprecedented efforts to support the U.S economy during the COVID-19 pandemic include a commitment by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to purchase Treasury securities and agency...
September 8, 2020
Most Large Employer Health Plans Include Telemedicine
Over the past five years, employer enthusiasm for telemedicine benefits has surged....
August 27, 2020
Work or Family? Employee Choices During COVID
Last week we hosted a webinar about employees with school aged children featuring an interview with local Covid law expert Rebecca Strauss from Miller Johnson. ...
August 11, 2020
Three Things to Consider Before Your Next Trip
The health and economic crisis created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will have a long-lasting impact on how we all will travel going forward....
August 11, 2020
Could You Be Responsible for Your Parents’ Nursing Home Bills?
In 26 states (and Puerto Rico), laws generally hold children financially responsible for certain debts of their parents. These laws are referred to as filial responsibility laws (or filial support...
August 11, 2020
The Changing College Landscape
The 2020-2021 academic year is right around the corner, and the coronavirus pandemic has upended the college world, like everything else....
August 11, 2020
Almost Nine Out of Ten Women Qualify for Social Security on Their Own
Because of a long-term rise in the employment rate for women of all ages, the percentage of women ages 62 to 64 ...
July 23, 2020
Onboarding and Engaging New Employees – Remotely?!
Think about what makes your organization special. You might list your products or services, your processes, and most definitely your employees....
July 7, 2020
Turbulent Times-Bear Markets Come and Go
The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end....
July 7, 2020
Medicaid May Pay You as a Family Caregiver
Each day, parents, children, siblings, and spouses selflessly sacrifice their time and energy to care for family members affected by illness, injury, or disability....
July 7, 2020
New Twist in the Labor Market
In December 2019, women outnumbered men in the U.S. workforce for the first time since April 2010, when layoffs due to the recession disproportionately affected male workers....
July 7, 2020
Tapping Retirement Savings During a Financial Crisis
As the number of COVID-19 cases began to skyrocket in March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act....
July 7, 2020
Portfolio Performance: Choose Your Benchmarks Wisely
Dramatic market turbulence has been common in 2020, and you can't help but hear about the frequent ups and downs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500...
July 7, 2020
Debit or Credit? Pick a Card
Americans use debit cards more often than credit cards, but they tend to use credit cards for higher-dollar transactions....
July 7, 2020
Foreign Tourists
More than 79 million foreign tourists visited the United States in 2019, adding $254 billion to the U.S. economy....
June 25, 2020
Protection for LGBTQ Employees – Wasn’t this Already the Law?
On June 15th, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ employees were protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964....
June 11, 2020
Getting the Most Out of Remote Work
Picture yourself doing remote work. Does that picture include working in pajamas and fuzzy slippers? Not brushing your teeth before noon? Working while floating in the pool?...
June 9, 2020
Student Debt: It’s Not Just for Young Adults
Recent college graduates aren't the only ones carrying student loan debt....
June 9, 2020
Mid-Year Is a Good Time to Fine-Tune Your Finances
The first part of 2020 was rocky, but there should be better days ahead. Taking a close look at your finances may give you the foundation you need to begin...
June 9, 2020
Four Questions on the Roth Five-Year Rule
The Roth "five-year rule" typically refers to when you can take tax-free distributions of earnings from your Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), or other work-based Roth account....
June 9, 2020
Telemedicine: The Virtual Doctor Will See You Now
Widespread smartphone use, loosening regulations, and employers seeking health cost savings are three trends that have been driving the rapid expansion of telemedicine. And that was before social distancing guidelines...
June 9, 2020
The ABCs of Finance: Teaching Kids About Money
It's never too soon to start teaching children about money. Whether they're tagging along with you to the grocery store or watching you make purchases online, children quickly realize that...
June 9, 2020
Investor Psychology: Behavioral Biases That Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
The field of behavioral finance focuses on the emotional and cognitive aspects of investing. In recent decades, well-known economists have advanced the theory that investors' decisions can be driven by...
May 12, 2020
State Population: Winners and Losers
The U.S. population was 328,239,523 in 2019, an increase of 0.5% over 2018. This was the fourth consecutive year of slowing population growth due to fewer births, more deaths, and...
May 12, 2020
The CARES Act Suspends Federal Student Loan Payments
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Included in the legislation are new rules for student loan relief....
May 12, 2020
Will vs. Trust: Know the Difference
Wills and trusts are common documents used in estate planning. While each can help in the distribution of assets at death, there are important differences between the two....
May 12, 2020
Five Key Benefits of the CARES Act for Individuals and Businesses
By now you know that Congress has passed a $2 trillion relief bill to help keep individuals and businesses afloat during these difficult times. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic...
May 1, 2020
What’s Right for Your Culture?
In the midst of the war for talent and a hyper focus on improving employee engagement, you may be looking at your culture and asking, “how can we compete?”...
April 17, 2020
How is Your Culture Weathering the Pandemic?
A mentor of mine once said that he liked it when things didn’t go smoothly because it gave the opportunity to show what leadership was willing to do to address...
April 14, 2020
How Long Should You Keep Financial Records?
Now that tax season is over, you may want to file your most recent records and discard older records to make room for the new ones. According to the IRS,...
April 14, 2020
Keeping Cool: Investment Strategy vs. Reaction
After losing ground in 2018, U.S. stocks had a banner year in 2019, with the S&P 500 gaining almost 29% —the highest annual increase since 2013.1 It's too early to...
April 14, 2020
Social Security May Offer a Lifetime of Protection
Social Security is much more than a retirement program. Most Americans are protected by the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program — the official name of Social Security —...
April 14, 2020
Tax Refund: Spend or Save
About 72% of taxpayers received a refund in 2018 and 2019. Here's how consumers spent the tax refunds they received in 2018 and what they planned to do with their 2019...
April 9, 2020
Retirement Planning in the ERA of Covid-19
The past months have tested the strength and resolve of individuals, businesses, and governments around the world. Investors, particularly retirement plan investors, have watched with a sense of disbelief and...
April 1, 2020
Are Zero-Tolerance Harassment Policies Effective?
Recently, I was facilitating a course on anti-harassment and was asked if I supported zero tolerance harassment policies. Frankly I think I surprised myself as much as the rest...
March 19, 2020
Supporting Your Employees Through the Covid-19 Crisis
Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the daily changes related to the Covid-19 pandemic?...
March 10, 2020
Is there any way to stop getting unwanted robocalls?
Whether it's a helpful announcement from your child's school or an appointment reminder from a doctor's office, getting robocalls has become an everyday occurrence....
March 10, 2020
Spring Cleaning Your Way to Better Finances
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Spring is a good time to clean out the cobwebs, and not just in your home or apartment. Your personal finances can benefit from...
March 10, 2020
Due Date Approaches for 2019 Federal Income Tax Returns
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Tax filing season is here again. If you haven't done so already, you'll want to start pulling things together — that includes getting your...
March 10, 2020
Is It Time to Review Your IRA Estate Planning Strategies?
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which was passed in December 2019 as part of a larger federal spending package,...
March 10, 2020
How can I avoid becoming a victim of a social engineering scam?
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Imagine that you receive an email with an urgent message asking you to verify your banking information by clicking on a link. Or perhaps...
March 2, 2020
Are You Prepared to Deal with Infectious Diseases?
We’ve all been there, you’re in a meeting with that person who is obviously not feeling well. There’s a battle to see who scores the seat at the table...
February 11, 2020
How Can I Improve My Credit Report?
How can I improve my credit report? Most lenders use credit report information to evaluate the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. Borrowers with good credit are presumed to be more creditworthy and...
February 11, 2020
How Can I Lower My Credit Card Debt?
As with many of life's toughest challenges, it may help to focus less on the big picture and more on the details. ...
February 11, 2020
Closing Gaps in Your Insurance Coverage
As with many of life's toughest challenges, it may help to focus less on the big picture and more on the details. ...
February 11, 2020
The SECURE Act Offers New Opportunities for Individuals and Businesses
The SECURE Act Offers New Opportunities for Individuals and Businesses The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) is major legislation that was passed by Congress as part of...
February 11, 2020
Tips for Targeting Your Retirement Savings Goal
As with many of life's toughest challenges, it may help to focus less on the big picture and more on the details. ...
February 1, 2020
THAWING OUT YOUR EMPLOYEE MORALE
As I drove into work this morning and watched the thermometer in my car never get above zero, I was thinking how tough it has been this winter to maintain...
January 23, 2020
Could you survive a no-spend month?
Would you take on a 30-day challenge to spend money only on necessities such as rent, utilities, and groceries? During a no-spend month, many common activities — including dining out, buying...
January 23, 2020
Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2020
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold...
January 23, 2020
Hindsight Is 2020: What Will You Do Differently This Year?
According to a recent survey, 76% of Americans reported having at least one financial regret. Over half of this group said it had to do with savings: 27% didn't start...
January 22, 2020
Are Bullies Better Bosses?
We’ve all been there before. Bob says he is being bullied by his boss and it’s creating a hostile work environment. When you ask what the leader says to him,...
January 14, 2020
SECURE Act 2019 for Plan Sponsors
Unfortunately, data breaches are now normal, everyday occurrences in our society. As a result, many companies are offering services to help you protect your personal information. If you want an...
January 14, 2020
SECURE Act 2019 – What Does It Mean to the Individual Investor?
Unfortunately, data breaches are now normal, everyday occurrences in our society. As a result, many companies are offering services to help you protect your personal information. If you want an...
December 20, 2019
Socially Responsible Investing: Aligning Your Money with Your Values
Unfortunately, data breaches are now normal, everyday occurrences in our society. As a result, many companies are offering services to help you protect your personal information. If you want an...
December 8, 2019
Should I sign up for an identity theft protection service?
Unfortunately, data breaches are now normal, everyday occurrences in our society. As a result, many companies are offering services to help you protect your personal information. If you want an...
December 8, 2019
For College Savings, 529 Plans Are Hard to Beat
Raising kids is hard enough, so why not make things easier for yourself when it comes to saving for college? Ideally, you want a savings vehicle that doesn't impose arbitrary...
December 7, 2019
How to Give Like a Billionaire When You Don’t Have Billions to Give
Since Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett created the Giving Pledge in 2010, more than 200 of the world's wealthiest individuals and couples have committed to giving the majority...
December 5, 2019
Take This Quiz: The Social Security Retirement Earnings Test
Can you work and receive Social Security retirement benefits at the same time? Yes, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) will apply an earnings test. Part or all of your...
November 28, 2019
Using Voluntary Benefits to Entice Millennial Talent
Millennials consistently cite elements like work-life balance and benefits packages as huge factors when considering employers. Salary, it seems, comes secondary in many cases. You can capitalize on this market...
November 18, 2019
DOL Issues New Salary Limits for Overtime Exemptions
On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule that updates the salary thresholds that some individuals must meet in order to qualify for...
November 12, 2019
What are continuing care retirement communities?
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are living arrangements that combine independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care on a single campus. CCRCs offer residents a continuum of care throughout...
November 11, 2019
Tips for Managing Your Holiday Spending
Like almost everything else these days, the holidays have become a barrage of options and choices, with nearly limitless opportunities to overspend. Here are some tips to help you make...
November 11, 2019
Summary of the 2019 Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey
Each year, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust conduct a survey to examine employer-sponsored health benefit trends. This article summarizes some of its main points....
November 10, 2019
Do independent living communities differ from CCRCs?
Independent living communities, also known as rental retirement communities, offer housing options for active seniors and retirees who require little or no assistance with daily activities. Most independent living residents...
November 7, 2019
Ten Year-End Tax Tips for 2019
Here are 10 things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year....
November 5, 2019
Three Regrets of Retirees
A recent survey found that more than half of retirees have retirement planning regrets. Unfortunately, many of these retirees had to cut back on their lifestyles to compensate for financial...
November 5, 2019
DOL Proposes New Method for Electronic Delivery of Retirement Plan Disclosures
Publicly traded companies are required to report their financial performance to regulators and shareholders on a quarterly basis. Earnings season is the often-turbulent period when most companies disclose their successes...
October 29, 2019
3 Steps to a Better Sleep Schedule
While you may not be able to control every single factor that could interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, you can take control of your sleep...
October 28, 2019
Help Employees Overcome Pre-work Stress
It’s 8 p.m. on a Sunday. You spent the last two hours dreading the upcoming workweek. As the night progresses, your anxiety only gets worse. Even if this doesn’t sound...
October 24, 2019
HRM is on the Move!
A couple of times now I’ve posted a blog about proposed changes, or the cancelation of those changes to the minimum salary threshold for exempt vs. non-exempt employees. Just last week,...
October 23, 2019
Hold on to Talent With Stay Conversations
Some people think employment is all about the money, but they’re wrong. For many, it’s about the opportunities. In fact, Gallup cites “lack of development and career growth” as the...
October 22, 2019
Turning Qualified Assets Into Tax-Free Life Insurance With LTC: Case Study
Most everyone knows someone who has experienced a long term care event. If you’re clients are like mine, they’re thinking about how long term care may affect them. Thoughts like:...
October 15, 2019
Employers Are Expected to Spend More on Health Care and Wellness in the Next Year
According to Optum’s Wellness in the Workplace study, more than 80% of employers plan to spend more on health care and wellness in the next year than in previous years....
October 10, 2019
Deadline Approaching: Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15
Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
October 7, 2019
How much will health care cost?
Retirement health-care costs will vary depending on your health and longevity, but it may help to have a guideline. These are the estimated savings required for an individual or couple...
October 6, 2019
What health services aren’t covered by Medicare?
Original Medicare — Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance — offers broad coverage, but many services are not covered. Some may be fully or partially covered by...
October 4, 2019
Balancing 401(k) and HSA Contributions
If you have the opportunity to contribute to both a 401(k) and a health savings account (HSA), you may wonder how best to take advantage of them. Determining how much...
October 2, 2019
Five Times in Your Life When You Might Need Help with Your Finances
As you move through different stages of life, you will face new and unique financial situations. Did you just get engaged? Perhaps you are wondering how you and your partner...
September 30, 2019
Earnings Season: What Investors Can Take Away from Corporate Reports
Publicly traded companies are required to report their financial performance to regulators and shareholders on a quarterly basis. Earnings season is the often-turbulent period when most companies disclose their successes...
September 30, 2019
Is This Our Last FLSA Update (For a While)?
A couple of times now I’ve posted a blog about proposed changes, or the cancelation of those changes to the minimum salary threshold for exempt vs. non-exempt employees. Just last week,...
September 29, 2019
Recruiting for Soft Skills
There’s a lot more that goes into finding the right candidate for your company’s opening than just a block of text. That’s why the interview process exists and why, as...
September 24, 2019
Getting Outside May Be the Key to Boosting Your Physical and Psychological Well-being
A recent study published in Scientific Reports revealed that spending 120 minutes a week outdoors can improve your health and psychological well-being. Remember, well-being refers to feeling good and living...
September 22, 2019
Speak Up Before You Burn Out
In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed rules that would require all Medicare-participating hospitals to post their negotiated prices for standard health care services....
September 17, 2019
Life Insurance in a Changing Tax Environment
Advisors and high-net-worth individuals with federal estate tax exposure have long relied upon life insurance as a sophisticated planning tool. Life insurance offers a unique combination of liquidity, leverage, and...
September 15, 2019
Financial Industry Experienced 3,500 Cyber Attacks in 2019 So Far
In mid-July, Capital One announced that the personal information of more than 100 million of its U.S. customers was compromised in one of the largest data breaches involving a bank....
September 12, 2019
How can I teach my high school student the importance of financial literacy?
Even though your child is just in high school, he or she may still have to deal with certain financial challenges. Whether this involves saving for an important purchase like...
September 10, 2019
When should I file the FAFSA?
The FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the federal government's financial aid application. The FAFSA is a prerequisite for federal student loans, grants, and work-study....
September 10, 2019
Making Smart Food Choices at a Restaurant
Eating healthy doesn’t always mean sacrificing your favorite meals. Although it may not seem like it, you can still stay on track with your diet when enjoying a meal out...
September 9, 2019
Hospitals to Publish Retail Prices Under a New Proposed Rule
In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed rules that would require all Medicare-participating hospitals to post their negotiated prices for standard health care services....
September 8, 2019
Social Security: Shoring Up America’s Safety Net
Ever since a legal secretary named Ida May Fuller received the first Social Security retirement check in 1940, Americans have been counting on Social Security to provide much- needed retirement...
September 6, 2019
Five Retirement Lessons from Today’s Retirees
Each year for its Retirement Confidence Survey, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) surveys 1,000 workers and 1,000 retirees to assess how confident they are in their ability to afford...
September 3, 2019
Do Millennials Need Life Insurance?
The financial challenges millennials face can be overwhelming. Many young adults have to figure out how to pay off college loans, save to buy a home or start a family,...
September 1, 2019
Open Enrollment: What’s Changing in 2020?
To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or...
August 19, 2019
Understanding the Value of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage your emotions, as well as others’. It’s similar to empathy, but the ability to manage the emotions effectively is key....
August 15, 2019
EEO Deadlines Approaching, Here’s Where You Can Find Help
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its website to include more resources to help employers with their annual reporting obligations. Find the resources on this blog....
August 12, 2019
How can you avoid falling for the Social Security imposter scam?
Here are some tips directly from the FTC to help you avoid becoming a victim of the Social Security imposter scam....
August 12, 2019
What are the warning signs of financial scams targeting older individuals?
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam artist who is trying to steal money or personal information, you're not alone. According to the Senate Special...
August 10, 2019
What’s New in the College World?
If you're the parent or grandparent of a current or prospective college student, you might be interested to learn what's new in the world of higher education....
August 9, 2019
Why You Should Be Encouraging Employees to Use PTO
Research consistently points to time away from work as improving productivity, lowering stress and reducing absenteeism. Unfortunately, many employees still hold onto their paid time off (PTO) and end up...
August 8, 2019
Key Estate Planning Documents
Estate planning is the process of managing and preserving your assets while you are alive, and conserving and controlling their distribution after your death. There are four key estate planning...
August 7, 2019
Final Rule Expands Options for HRAs
Health officials issued a final rule that expands the usability of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), read more in this blog....
August 6, 2019
Market Strategies: Three Ways to Play Defense in Your Stock Portfolio
Defensive investment strategies share a common goal — to help a portfolio better weather an economic downturn and/or bouts of market volatility. But there are some key differences, including the...
August 5, 2019
Student Loan Repayment Assistance Taking Center Stage
Sen. Bernie Sanders—an independent senator from Vermont and 2020 Democratic presidential contender—proposed a plan that would cancel $1.6 trillion in student loans. Sanders’ proposed plan would be funded with a...
August 2, 2019
What Are Your Employees Saying on Facebook?
In these days of social media overload, when anyone can post, or tweet, in the heat of the moment from their phone, what can employees say about their employers, coworkers...
August 2, 2019
WHAT ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES SAYING ON FACEBOOK?
In these days of social media overload, when anyone can post, or tweet, in the heat of the moment from their phone, what can employees say about their employers, coworkers...
July 31, 2019
Executive Order On Health Costs to Affect Employer Health Plans
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at improving price and quality transparency in health care. The order is intended to increase the availability of health care price...
July 8, 2019
Do I need to pay estimated tax?
Taxpayers are required to pay most of their tax obligation during the year by having tax withheld from their paychecks or pension payments, or by making estimated tax payments. Estimated...
July 7, 2019
Have you checked your tax withholding lately?
If you were unpleasantly surprised by the amount of tax you owed or the amount of your tax refund when you filed your 2018 tax return, it may be time...
July 5, 2019
Why Not Do It Now? New Research on Procrastination
Do you have a tendency to push off important tasks? Do you do things at the last minute, or maybe not do them at all? If so, you're not alone....
July 3, 2019
Should You Invest Internationally?
Investing in foreign stocks provides access to a world of opportunities outside the United States, which may help boost returns and manage risk in your portfolio. However, it's important to...
July 1, 2019
HSA Limits for 2020
The following blog shows the health savings account (HSA) limits that will apply for 2020, along with the 2019 limits for comparison purposes. ...
July 1, 2019
Is It Time to Declare Your Financial Independence?
No matter how much money you have or which life stage you're in, becoming financially independent starts with a dream. Your dream might be to finally pay off the mountain...
June 29, 2019
Performance Review Trends in 2019
What does the term “performance review” mean to you? To many people, it means sitting down at the end of the year with a manager to discuss how you conducted...
June 27, 2019
DOL Enforcement Actions Are up and Expected to Stay That Way
U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta recently said that he “fully expects” OSHA inspections to increase once new inspectors are trained. Stay within compliance with these tips from the blog....
June 19, 2019
Final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020
Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020. This proposed rule describes benefit and payment parameters under the...
June 16, 2019
DOL Issues Opinion Letter on Gig Worker Classification
In the growing “gig economy,” individuals perform jobs on a one-off or short-term basis, typically through an online application or job marketplace. On April 29, 2019, the Department of Labor...
June 11, 2019
Lowest Unemployment in Decades
Job figures continued to rise in April, officially bringing unemployment to its lowest in 50 years— 3.6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We outline some employer takeaways...
June 9, 2019
FLSA—Overtime Pay for Professional Employees
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that most employees in the United States be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at...
June 9, 2019
What’s the real return on your investments?
As an investor, you probably pay attention to nominal return. However, to estimate actual income or growth potential in order to target financial goals — for example, a certain level...
June 6, 2019
Charitable Giving After Tax Reform
Some of the recent changes to the standard deduction and itemized deductions may affect your ability to obtain an income tax benefit from your charitable contributions. Incorporating charitable giving into...
June 6, 2019
Why Organizations Need Trained HR Heroes
One of the best parts of our work is that we have the opportunity to see the internal workings of many organizations. It’s always amazing to see how many different...
June 4, 2019
WHY ORGANIZATIONS NEED TRAINED HR HEROES
One of the best parts of our work is that we have the opportunity to see the internal workings of many organizations. It’s always amazing to see how many different...
June 4, 2019
Financial Advice for Recent College Graduates
You've put in the hard work as a college student and finally received your diploma. Now you're ready to head out on your own. And though you may not have...
June 1, 2019
Time for a Mid-Year Investment Check
Many investors may be inclined to review their portfolios only when markets hit a rough patch, but careful planning is essential in all economic climates. So whether the markets are...
May 30, 2019
Dogs in the Workplace
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, approximately 9 percent of U.S. employers allow their employees to bring their dogs to work every day. With this trend on the...
May 23, 2019
DOL Issues New Proposal on Overtime Exemptions
On March 7, 2019, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would change the salary thresholds for the “white collar” overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards...
May 22, 2019
BLS Data on Worker Access to Family Leave in 2018 Now Available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released a The Economics Daily (TED) report on civilian access to paid and unpaid family leave in 2018. These statistics provide insight into...
May 16, 2019
When it Comes to Employee Engagement, Communication is Key
According to a Gallup poll, 70 percent of U.S. workers aren’t engaged at work. This statistic should alarm employers across the country, as low engagement means employees are not committed...
May 14, 2019
The SOTU and the Employee Benefits Market
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, President Donald Trump delivered the 2019 State of the Union Address (SOTU). The SOTU is an annual message delivered by the president to a joint...
May 9, 2019
Compliance Strategies for Workplace Wellness
Workplace wellness programs have many benefits, but employers must carefully design them to comply with several federal laws. Recent developments have created new compliance challenges for 2019, we break them...
May 9, 2019
How much money should a family borrow for college?
There is no magic formula to determine how much you or your child should borrow for college. But there is such a thing as borrowing too much. How much is...
May 7, 2019
Amazon’s HSA and FSA Store
Early this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020. This proposed rule describes benefit and payment parameters...
May 7, 2019
What is a college income-share agreement?
college income-share agreement, or ISA, is a contract between a student and a college where a student receives education funding from the college today in exchange for agreeing to pay...
May 5, 2019
How to Recover from a Mid-Life Financial Crisis
A financial crisis can be scary at any age, but this is especially true when you're in your 40s or 50s. Perhaps you're way behind on saving for retirement or...
May 3, 2019
How Does the Federal Reserve Affect the Economy?
If you follow financial news, you've probably heard many references to "the Fed" along the lines of "the Fed held interest rates," or "market watchers are wondering what the Fed...
May 2, 2019
2020’s Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters
Early this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020. This proposed rule describes benefit and payment parameters...
May 1, 2019
Mergers & Acquisitions: What’s in the Deal for Investors?
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in North America and Europe reached its second highest level on record in 2018. There were 19,501 deals worth $3.6 trillion — a 6.3% increase...
May 1, 2019
CHANGING IT UP AT HRM!
I love change. Sometimes too much. Early on in my career, I learned a great lesson about change. I had a brainstorm about a way to rearrange our office space...
April 29, 2019
5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Harassment
Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that may violate federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Americans with...
April 28, 2019
Strengthen Your Financial Wellness Plan with These 3 Tips
Getting into the practice of saving will help you become more financially secure. Plan ahead so you have money waiting for you at retirement and can afford unexpected costs along...
April 17, 2019
EEO-1 Filing Deadline is Extended to May 31, 2019
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has extended the deadline for employers to submit EEO-1 Reports for 2018. The reports are now due by May 31, 2019. Catch the rest...
