A problematic tax provision was removed from congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill after the American Benefits Council raised the issue with lawmakers.

Litigation continues in class-action lawsuits alleging a breach of fiduciary duty related to health plans’ prescription drug benefits.

Republicans’ sweeping budget reconciliation bill – the vehicle for tax reform and a host of other policy priorities, including some employee benefits provisions – moved its way through several House committees this week. 

The tri-agencies announced they will not enforce the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations for any noncompliance that occurs before a final decision in ongoing litigation, plus an additional 18 months.

Council President Katy Johnson dedicates the latest episode to Ilyse Schuman, recently named to Washingtonian magazine’s 2025 list of the 500 most influential people shaping public policy.

The Council endorsed the Auto Reenroll Act of 2025, legislation that encourages more employers to adopt automatic reenrollment features in retirement savings plans.

The Council endorsed the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow full-time workers younger than age 21 to participate in retirement plans without requiring employers to make matching contributions or complete burdensome testing.

House Republicans have released the text of their budget reconciliation bill, sweeping legislation to extend expiring tax cuts, along with numerous other GOP priorities.

On May 9, in response to a lawsuit challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations, the tri-agencies filed a motion asking a federal court to suspend the litigation while they reconsider the final rules.

In a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Council provided a detailed list of recommendations for deregulatory action related to health policy.

From January 9-16, 2025, the Council surveyed member organizations to learn about the use of Safe Harbor IRAs in conjunction with small-balance force-outs.

The Council has submitted a legislative proposal that would allow defined benefit retirement plan sponsors to use otherwise restricted assets to provide benefits to employees.