DOL

As announced by President Biden on January 30, 2023, the National Emergency in response to COVID-19 will end today. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2023-01 to provide annual funding notice requirements for multiemployer pension plans that received special financial assistance from the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation under the American Rescue Plan Act.

The DOL, IRS and HHS (“the Departments”) have released a set of FAQs that explain their position on coverage of preventive services and vaccines in light of a recent court decision.

The third phase of updates to Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan, was recently released by the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employee Benefits Security Administration, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “Agencies”).

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and National Emergency, numerous requirements were introduced for group health plans, which were generally aimed at ensuring individuals did not forgo testing or treatment for COVID-19 because they could not afford to pay for such services.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened the comment period for receiving written comments related to prohibited transaction class exemption 84-14 (the Proposed QPAM Amendment) to April 6, 2023.

As expected, President Biden has vetoed H.J. 30, a resolution for congressional disapproval of the Department of Labor’s rule “Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights.”

President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor.

Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and co-sponsors Sean Casten (D-IL), Juan Vargas (D-CA), and Dean Phillips (D-MN) have introduced the Freedom to Invest in a Sustainable Future Act.

The Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employee Benefits Security Administration, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) have released a third and final phase that implements a September 2021 regulatory proposal.