Insights

The Washington Employment Security Department announced that the 2026 Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program total premium rate will increase from 0.92% to 1.13% of wages beginning January 1, 2026.   Employers with 50 or more employees working in the state of Washington will contribute up to 28.57% of the total premium, and their Washington state employees will pay 71.43%. Employers with fewer than 50 employees working in the state of Washington are not required to contribute the

Yes! Generally, it is not advisable for an employer to offer group health coverage to independent contractors. However, before addressing the details of why health coverage should not be offered to independent contractors, it is important for an employer to ensure they have properly classified their workers as employees or independent contractors. Employers who utilize independent contractors should work closely with their employment counsel to ensure proper worker classification. At a high lev

On November 3, 2025, the IRS released Notice 2025-61, which announces that the adjusted applicable dollar amount for calculation of PCOR fees for plan and policy years ending on or after October 1, 2025, and before October 1, 2026, is $3.84. This is a $0.37 increase from the $3.47 amount in effect for plan and policy years ending on or after October 1, 2024, and before October 1, 2025.  PCOR fees are payable by insurers and sponsors of self-insured plans (including level-funded plans, HRAs

As the season of gratitude arrives, November invites us to gather, reflect and nourish both body and soul. This month, we’re offering a wellness challenge inspired by the holiday table.

As construction projects grow larger and more complex, so do the risks, and the need for a smarter way to manage them. That’s where wrap‑up insurance programs come in. These all‑inclusive, project‑specific solutions replace the traditional patchwork of contractor‑provided policies with one coordinated approach designed to improve safety, streamline claims, and control costs. In this guide, we break down how wrap‑ups work, who they benefit, and why they’re becoming the preferred coverage model f

As we look toward 2026, compensation planning is one of the most strategic, if not most scrutinized areas of HR, as many factors are challenging organizations to approach compensation with both precision and purpose.

The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2025-32, providing certain cost-of-living adjustments for a wide variety of tax-related items, including health FSA contribution limits, transportation and parking benefits, qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRAs), the small business tax credit, and other adjustments for tax year 2026. Those changes are outlined below.  Health FSA: The annual limit on employee contributions to a health FSA will be $3,400 for plan years

On October 16, 2025, the DOL, HHS, and Treasury (collectively, the departments) released new guidance in the form of FAQs regarding fertility benefit offerings. The guidance was issued in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14216, "Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization," which called for recommendations to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) access and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment. Specifically, the FAQs clarify the types of “excepted benefits” em

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs) are set to expire at the end of 2025, absent additional congressional action. Employers may question whether the expiration will impact their group health plans.   Background   Initially enacted in 2014, the PTC was established to help eligible individuals lower their premium payments for plans offered through the health insurance exchanges (marketplace) created under the ACA. The ACA marketplace determines how much enr