Category: Articles
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Compliance Q&A: Short Plan Year
Question We are an applicable large employer (ALE) and we currently operate medical plans and other benefits on a plan year ending March 31st (current plan year ending March 31, 2026). We want to amend our plan year to a calendar year plan so that our employees can better understand the timing and election of…
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Compliance Q&A: Classing Out Executive Benefits
Question Our company would like to reward our executive team for their hard work in turning around the company’s recent financial difficulties and making the company profitable again. We would like to pay a greater portion of the premiums for our group health plan for our executives than we pay for our rank-and-file employees. Can…
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Understanding Indemnification Language When Using Standard Industry Forms
For contractors entering into agreements, it is crucial to understand the contractual language that applies to the Indemnification language, in particular, can often be ambiguous. And that can leave contractors vulnerable to losses resulting from a subcontractor’s work that damages a project. Many contractors use standard AIA contracts, but we must be aware that these…
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Compliance Q&A: Interns and Offers of Coverage
Question I have hired a couple of interns. They’re scheduled to work full-time hours but they’re only going to be with us for about four months. Am I at risk of any Affordable Care Act (ACA) “Pay or Play” penalties if I decide not to offer these interns health coverage? Summary If the employer is…
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The Vital Role of Occupational Health Nurses in the Workplace
When we think of nurses, we often envision compassionate caregivers in hospitals. However, this image overlooks a crucial segment of nursing professionals known as Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs). These registered nurses help prevent and manage work-related injuries and illnesses and play a vital role in promoting employee health and safety across the workplace. According…
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Consider a Single Parent Captive in a Soft Insurance Market
The insurance market began to show signs of softening in 2024 and has continued to do so into 2025. We are experiencing decelerating rate increases for Property insurance, and Workers’ Compensation has continued to remain favorable for buyers. While Umbrella and Auto Liability remain challenging in some segments, the broader trend is one of selective…
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Compliance Q&A: 2026 ACA Affordability Safe Harbors
Question I am an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) sponsoring a calendar year health insurance plan. I don’t know how much I should contribute to the cost of my employees’ health care. I want to avoid “pay-or-play” penalties, but I can’t afford to contribute more than the minimum required amount. What IRS affordability “safe harbor” works…
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Compliance Q&A: What is the “Excepted Benefit” status and why does it matter?
Question My company offers a health flexible spending account (FSA) funded by employees. I saw on the IRS website that health FSAs are subject to Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees unless they are an excepted benefit. When is a benefit considered “excepted” and why else might this status matter? Summary Broadly speaking, excepted benefits…
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Employee Benefits in Captives: The McGriff Difference
While many brokers and consultants tout their abilities and knowledge about funding and/or reinsuring employee benefits (EB) in single-parent captives (SPCs), the McGriff EB team is one of the most experienced and qualified brokers in this area based on our status as the first broker to place employee benefits in a wholly owned SPC. A…
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The Risk of EVs in the Auto Service Industry
Electric Vehicles (EVs) pose hazards and safety challenges for the auto service industry. When considering the risks associated with servicing EVs, we should look at the standards and hazards for employee safety, fire protection, garage liability, and overall property loss. EVs are likely here to stay. Under former President Biden, the federal government set…