On his first day in office, President Trump issued a regulatory freeze at federal agencies, which has prevented two retirement rules from proceeding and could slow down agency activity on other matters.

In the last week of the Biden administration, recently proposed rules were withdrawn that would have required health plans to cover, without cost-sharing, OTC contraceptives.  

The U.S. Supreme Court has granted review of an appeals court decision which found that some aspects of the preventive services requirements under the ACA are unconstitutional.

The PBGC’s Office of the Participant and Plan Sponsor Advocate has released its annual report, once again calling on lawmakers to lower premiums paid by defined benefit plan sponsors.

The IRS has issued proposed rules implementing a key provision of a 2021 law expanding the scope of the cap on deductible compensation for certain officers and employees of publicly held corporations.

In its annual report to Congress, the DOL states that it obtained the majority of corrections from plans and issuers without the need to issue determinations of noncompliance.

In a letter to the incoming president’s transition team, the Council recommended that the DOL take a fresh approach to employee benefit matters related to retirement plans under the new administration.

Treasury and IRS released proposed regulations addressing changes to the the catch-up contribution rules made by SECURE 2.0.

Treasury and IRS have released proposed regulations clarifying new automatic enrollment requirements for retirement plans established on or after December 29, 2022.

The Council held a one-hour webinar on Thursday, January 17 to welcome members to 2025 with an update on policy activity related to employee benefits.

American Benefits Council commended the lawmakers for their leadership on paid leave issues and provided specific recommendations for continued progress.

The Council and other business groups have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court explaining the importance of strict pleading standards for plaintiffs in cases alleging ERISA violations, to prevent new waves of baseless litigation.