Compliance

Recently passed legislation has led to new rules and protocols that employers are required to comply with.  Two main pieces of legislation that impact employee benefits are:

• Affordable Care Act (ACA)

• Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

The enactment of ACA in 2010 and the subsequent upholding by the Supreme Court in 2012 has led to new rules regarding medical benefits.  Additionally, it has led to an entirely new view of the responsibilities that employers have with respect to all benefits.  While ERISA was passed in 1974, many of its provisions were not enforced until now.  New Department of Labor standards are now in place to protect the benefits and the rights of employees.  This has put a tremendous burden on employers who offer benefits to follow the letter of the law as a means to avoid fines.  Employers are being audited by the Department of Labor at an alarming rate and so being compliant has never been more important.