In a June 5, 2017 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that benefit plans covering employees of church-affiliated hospitals were “church plans,” and hence not subject to ERISA, despite not being “established” by a church. The decision, Advocate Healthcare Network v. Stapleton, ___U.S.___, 2017 U.S. LEXIS (U.S. June 5, 2017), reverses a recent trend in […]
Six Things You Need To Know About Group Long-Term Disability Insurance
Many employers provide group long-term disability (LTD) insurance as a benefit for their employees. Group LTD insurance can be an affordable alternative to an expensive individual policy. If you need it, and hopefully you never will, it can be a godsend. But you need to be aware of, and plan for, the limitations common to […]
Summary Plan Descriptions Aren’t Just for Retirement Plans
Most employers understand the need to provide a Summary Plan Description (SPD) to participants in their retirement plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) Plans. Many employers don’t realize that this same requirement applies to their medical, dental, life and disability plans. Some employers think that all they need to do is to distribute the benefit […]