Alera Group Insights

Perspectives from our thought leaders and experts across the country.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

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

Find out more

Wealth Services

What to look for in an extended-care policy

Extended-care coverage can be complex. Here’s a list of questions to ask that may help you better understand the costs and benefits of these policies.

November 13, 2024

Find out more

Wealth Services

Weekly Market Update

Stocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election enthusiasm as investors looked to future policy impacts of a Republican-controlled Senate and executive branch. (The House of Representatives remains undecided.)

November 12, 2024

Find out more