Compensation & Benefits

ACA credits: Status quo for now

08/29/2014

The IRS isn’t planning on changing how it administers the ACA’s premium tax credit, said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. Koskinen was reacting to dueling federal appellate court decisions on eligibility for the credit, both issued on July 22.

Health care costs growing slower than expected

08/28/2014

Spending on health care rose less than 0.3% this summer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a strong sign that the health-cost curve may be flattening over the long term.

Sweet dreams: The upside of lying down on the job

08/28/2014

Some employers are encouraging workers to sleep on the job. The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2014 poll of HR pros says 6% of workplaces have nap rooms where employees can catch up on their Z’s.

Coming soon: $10.10 hourly wage for fed contract workers

08/27/2014

Under proposed regulations, the minimum wage for employees who work on new or renewed federal contracts or subcontracts, including employees with disabilities who work under special certificates, will increase to $10.10 an hour, from $7.25 an hour, beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Final regs should be released shortly. Here are the contracts to be covered.

36% of Americans haven’t saved a dime for retirement

08/27/2014

Over a third of all Americans (36%) have not saved any money for retirement, according to a new Bankrate.com survey.

Where child care costs your employees the most

08/26/2014

According to ChildCare Aware of America, a child care advocacy organization, day care takes up a larger share of the family budget than housing in every region except the West.

Remind retirement plan participants: Don’t neglect stock investments

08/26/2014

Most Americans are unaware that the stock market is booming, according to a new Gallup poll. The S&P 500 gained 30% in 2013, yet only 7% of those polled knew that, and only 52% believe now is a good time to invest in stocks.

Common payroll pitfalls and how to avoid them

08/25/2014

The American Payroll Association’s 32nd Annual Congress revealed fixes and solutions in some potentially dangerous gray areas.

Survey: 2015 health costs to grow 6.5% or less

08/25/2014

Large employers’ health care benefit costs are expected to increase 6.5% in 2015, slightly lower than this year’s rate of increase. Most employers, however, say they’re planning changes to their benefits programs that should limit cost growth to 5% or less when all is said and done.

Employer slammed for failing to honor IRS tax levy

08/22/2014

When the IRS knocks on your company’s door with a wage levy against an employee, don’t pretend there’s no one home. A federal trial court has ruled that a company that ignored an IRS wage levy is on the hook for the levied amount—plus a 50% penalty.