IRS 2015 HSA limits: What changes, what stays the same?

By Jared Bilski

We’re not even halfway through 2014, but the feds are already gearing up for next year. The IRS just released the 2015 HSA contribution limits, HDHP required deductibles and HDHP out-of-pocket maximums.

The agency bases the HSA limits for the following year on cost-of-living adjustments. Here’s what the feds have changed for 2015:

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An object lesson in the value of benefit plan disclaimers

By Jared Bilski

Whether your company administers a defined-benefit (DB) or defined-contribution (DC) retirement plan, a recent court case offered an important lesson on why including a disclaimer in all of your benefits statements is a smart move.

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6 Metabolism Death Foods

By Dr. Josh Axe

There is nothing worse than starting an exercise program, making some good diet changes, but still not seeing the results you want to see.  Has that ever been you?  It can be really frustrating.

The reason this happens is, even though you think you’re consuming a healthy diet, there is often some hidden food in your diet that is ruining your weight loss efforts.

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Tip Tuesday! Health Reform Questions - Enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace

By Larry Grudzien Attorney-At-Law

Question:  My employer is having its open annual enrollment in a few weeks for its health coverage effective on July 1, 2014. If I do not enroll in my employer's health coverage effective July 1, 2014 and voluntarily drop it, can I then enroll in health coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace because of a loss of coverage? Answer: No. If you voluntarily drop your employer sponsored coverage or lose it because you did not pay the premium, you do not qualify for a special enrollment period for a loss of coverage. This means you will not be able to get covered through the Marketplace until the next open enrollment Period in November 2014, with coverage starting January 1, 2015. To be considered a loss of coverage for a special enrollment period to apply, you must lose health coverage because you quit your job, had a reduction of hours or are laid off.   In other words, you lost eligibility for the employer health coverage. The annual open enrollment period for 2015 is set to begin November 15, 2014 and extend through February 15, 2015. Coverage will be effective January 1, 2015 only for applications received by December 15, 2014.  Read more from Larry here.

Top 8 ways managers drive good employees out the door

By Christian Schappel

Even though unemployment remains high, employers are reporting there’s a talent shortage in this country. What that means is this: Your most talented employees know other jobs are waiting for them. Are your managers doing enough to keep them? 

The old adage — people quit their boss, not their job — is true, according to Eric Jackson, who holds a Ph.D. in management and is the founder of Ironfire Capital LLC, which runs a tech-focused hedge fund.

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How Long Commutes Impact Workplace Productivity

By Geoff Mukhtar

What do all employees have in common? They all have a burning dislike for their morning commute! Let’s face it, it’s not the actual commute that most people dislike, it’s the hassle of dealing with traffic, long lines, and rude people that make the trip so despised.

It doesn’t matter how an employee gets to work -- whether it’s by car, train, plane, boat, or just walking, there’s always one or more aspects of a long commute that a person would like to change. How an employee starts the day is an important indicator of his or her attitude for the rest of that day.

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Health reform tweak Congress hopes will get you to hire more vets

By Christian Schappel

New legislation appears poised to make it through Congress that would incentivize businesses to hire military veterans by altering one of the more controversial rules for employers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

As you know, the ACA requires that employers with more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees provide health insurance to those employees or pay a penalty.

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