How to Use Early Open Enrollment for Employee Retention | Chicago Benefits Group

Amid the economic panic last year, workers were unwilling to sacrifice job security for a new work environment.  Many workers felt it was foolish to re-enter the job market during a shut down.  However, in 2021, employers have experienced high turnover rates and experts are now predicting a “turnover tsunami” in voluntary departures and resignations.  … Continued

Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I Interim Final Rule with Comment Period | Chicago Benefits Agents

On July 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Departments), along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released an interim final rule with comment period (IFC), entitled “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I.” This rule related to Title … Continued

EEO-1 Data Collection | IL Employee Benefits Consultants

The EEO-1 Component 1 report is a mandatory annual data collection that requires all private sector employers with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors with 50 or more employees meeting certain criteria, to submit demographic workforce data, including data by race/ethnicity, sex and job categories.  The filing by eligible employers of the EEO-1 Component … Continued

Exploring Benefits Lingo | Chicago Employee Benefits Agency

We all know how confusing and complex benefits and healthcare terms can be- the difference between deductible and co-insurance is a common question for many and there are plenty of others like it.  When you are comfortable and confident in how your plan works, you can make an informed decision on HOW to use and … Continued

IRS: Monthly Child Tax Credit payments begin | IL Employee Benefits Group

WASHINGTON —TheInternal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department announced today that millions of American families have started receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments as direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in mailboxes. This first batch of advance monthly payments worth roughly $15 billion reached about 35 million families today across the … Continued

How to Stay on Track While on Vacation | Chicago Benefits Firm

Summer is here and so many of us work hard to lose a few pounds before summer vacation but then get to our vacations and ‘’want to live it up!’’ The problem is that then we end up bloated and unhappy with those decisions.  Vacation is supposed to be a time to relax and unwind … Continued

Exploring Heart Health | Chicago Employee Benefits

Heartbreaks are painful, but did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 655,000 people dying from the condition each year. This equates to one in four deaths attributed to this awful disease. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), … Continued

IRS Provides Guidance on Premium Assistance and Tax Credit for Continuation Health Coverage | Illinois Employee Benefits Agency

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today provided guidance on tax breaks under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). Notice 2021-31 PDF provides guidance for employers, plan administrators, and health insurers regarding the new credit available to them for providing continuation health … Continued

Data Drop: D&I Appetite, Mental Health Struggles and the Expanding Gig Economy | Chicago Employee Benefits Agents

There are certain issues that have taken center stage in the collective conscious when talking about the workplace, the future of work and how the current workforce is faring under the current conditions. Naturally, as those things enter the collective conscious, researchers find themselves asking what exactly holds true and what can we learn from … Continued

Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 | Chicago Employee Benefits

There have been important changes to the Child Tax Credit that will help many families receive advance payments starting this summer. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 expands the Child Tax Credit (CTC) for tax year 2021 only. The expanded credit means: The credit amounts will increase for many taxpayers. The credit for … Continued