Alera Group, Inc.

Alera Group Insights

Perspectives from our thought leaders and experts across the country.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Employee Benefits

Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim

Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.

November 19, 2024

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Wealth Services

Weekly Market Update

Stocks fell last week as the postelection rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials.

November 18, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.

November 15, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits

The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.

November 15, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Courts Ablaze with Tobacco Surcharge Class Action Lawsuits

Tobacco surcharges, or an increase in premiums for employees who use tobacco products, are attractive to employers looking to keep their employee population healthy and lower their healthcare costs. But they can go too far, and many employers might not be aware of the limitations.

November 15, 2024

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Employee Benefits

Key Considerations for All Employers: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE) Final Rule

This September, the tri-agencies (Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and Health and Human Services) released the long-awaited Final Rule regarding the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE Final Rule). The Final Rule, which is effective on November 22, 2024, has a series of enforcement dates, most of which begin on plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

November 15, 2024

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Retirement Plan Services

The Importance of Long-Term Thinking During Interest Rate Changes

The Federal Reserve’s recent 50 basis point interest rate cut, with more reductions expected by year’s end, may leave employees wondering what it means for their retirement savings — and their overall financial picture.

November 14, 2024

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Retirement Plan Services

Protecting Benefit Plans from Cybersecurity Threats

Many plan sponsors focus on external cybersecurity threats, such as hackers attempting to breach their systems, but disgruntled employees can also pose a risk.

November 14, 2024

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Retirement Plan Services

Increasing 401(k) Balances Can Bring Increased Risk

By the second quarter of this year, the number of “401(k) millionaires” rose 2.5% from Q1, marking a record high according to Fidelity.

November 14, 2024

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