Alera Group News

On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a link to its webpage dedicated to the COBRA premium assistance authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA), the third COVID-19 stimulus bill.  The webpage includes model notices, frequently asked questions, and... Find out more »

The United States Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) enables qualified beneficiaries who lose health benefits due to a qualifying event to continue group health benefits. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides for a 100% COBRA premium subsidy for... Find out more »

Congress has passed, and President Biden has signed, the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA), the third COVID-19 stimulus bill.  This new $1.9 trillion stimulus package includes several health and welfare benefits-related provisions relevant to employers and plan sponsors, as summarized... Find out more »

IRS Provides Guidance on FSA Relief Authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Grants Other Cafeteria Plan Relief We are just weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of the President’s declaration of the COVID-19 National Emergency, and the COVID-19 National and Public Health... Find out more »

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released Notice 2021-01, which clarifies the end date for the relief provided in April 2020 under Notice 2020-01. Per the latest guidance, individuals (and plans) are granted relief based on their own fact-specific timeframes and, therefore, may still take... Find out more »

This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor workplace wellness programs.  Since 2019, employers faced uncertainty regarding the status of wellness program incentives under the ADA and GINA. On January 7, 2021, the EEOC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Wellness Programs... Find out more »

Alera Group, a leading national insurance and financial services firm, today announced the acquisition of CSNW Benefits, effective December 31, 2020. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, CSNW Benefits serves clients throughout the Northwest region, creating tailored employee benefits and... Find out more »

Alera Group, one of the nation’s top employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firms, today announced that it has acquired Granite Group Benefits, LLC (Granite Group Benefits), effective December 31, 2020. Granite Group Benefits, headquartered in... Find out more »

Updated December 28, 2020 to reflect that the bill has been signed by President Trump After weeks of negotiations, Congress overwhelmingly passed a second COVID-19 stimulus package – the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 (COVIDTRA) and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act... Find out more »

Alera Group, one of the nation’s leading employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firms, today announced that it has acquired Todd Associates, Inc. (Todd Associates), effective December 1, 2020. Todd Associates, founded in 1939 and operated by Ned... Find out more »