The Tax of Life

 Carlton Fields tax attorney Lowell Walters explains what we can learn about a recent case in which a former employee claimed to be owed benefits, and provides suggestions on how companies can protect themselves. Transcript: This article should interest plan sponsors of group health plans that are subject to COBRA. With COVID-19 relief providing more leniency to qualified beneficiaries eligible for COBRA coverage, COBRA administrative systems are bound to be tested, ... Keep Reading »

 Carlton Fields tax attorney Lowell Walters discusses issues that can arise when employers with group health plans increase the premiums paid by employees midyear, which we might see more of since certain grandfathered health plans will have greater flexibility to increase employee costs. Transcript: This article is directed to employers that offer group health insurance to employees. On December 15, 2020, the IRS, DOL, and HHS released regulations allowing group ... Keep Reading »

 Carlton Fields tax attorney Lowell Walters discusses a new group health plan documentation requirement for mental health parity compliance. Transcript: Hello. My name is Lowell Walters. I want to talk with you about some COVID-19 related legislation that was passed into law just at the end of December 2020 that imposes a new obligation on employers that provide health insurance benefits to employees. Now, I'm an attorney at Carlton Fields and the focus of my ... Keep Reading »

Participants do not always prefer the investment choices retirement plans offer. Whether participants want additional ways to diversify their portfolios or have other reasons, participants are asking retirement plan sponsors with participant-directed accounts (commonly found in profit-sharing, 401(k), and 403(b) plans) to offer investment options that go beyond traditional investment alternatives. Common examples include investments in real estate, collectibles, ... Keep Reading »

 Carlton Fields tax attorney Lowell Walters discusses three timely employee benefits issues: using employee benefits to reduce expenses; helping retirement plan participants in an inconsistent investment market; and, the impact of layoffs, furloughs, and hours reductions on group health plan and COBRA coverage. ... Keep Reading »