Hall Benefits Law is excited to announce the addition of David Hall as its Director of Business Development. David was born and raised in Atlanta, he is an alumnus of Marist School, and he earned his Bachelor's Degree at Wake Forest University. Prior to joining Hall Benefits Law, David was the Southeastern District Sales Manager for School Outfitters, a role in which he consulted with school districts throughout the Read More
Supreme Court Upholds Federal Exchange Subsidies
June 26, 2015
Hall Benefits Law, LLCOn June 25, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled, in a 6-3 decision, that subsidies for individuals who purchase health insurance on Federally-facilitated health insurance Exchanges are legal under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This HR Alert provides an overview of the issues involved in King v. Burwell, the Supreme Court's stated reasoning for upholding Federal Exchange subsidies, and the possible implications of this Read More
Pre-Approved Plan Program Extended to Include Cash Balance Plans and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
June 8, 2015
Hall Benefits Law, LLCOn June 8, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2015-36 (the “Revenue Procedure”), updating existing guidance on pre-approved plan (including master and prototype (M&S) and volume submitter (VS) plans) applications for opinion and advisory letters. It also opens the pre-approved program to cash balance plans and ESOPs. The Revenue Procedure modifies and supersedes Revenue Procedure Read More
Revenue Procedure 2015-27: IRS Updates Qualified Retirement Plan Correction Program
May 19, 2015
Hall Benefits Law, LLCThe IRS recently released Revenue Procedures 2015-27 and 2015-28, which modify, but do not replace, the existing Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) in Revenue Procedure 2013-12 (the “2013 Revenue Procedure”). This HR Alert summarizes the changes included in Revenue-Procedure 2015-27. The July HR Alert will include a summary of the modifications set forth in Revenue-Procedure 2015-28. Generally, the Read More
IRS Prohibits Reimbursement of Individual Health Plan Premiums – Limited Transition Relief Available for Small Employers
May 19, 2015
Hall Benefits Law, LLCEarlier this year, the IRS issued Notice 2015-17 (the “Notice”), which addresses employer direct payment or reimbursement of individual health plan premiums. Prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers were allowed to reimburse premiums paid for individual coverage on a tax-favored basis. Many small employers adopted this type of arrangement rather than sponsoring a group health plan. However, the Notice Read More
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Phantom Equity Plan?
October 23, 2014
Hall Benefits Law, LLC
I was recently asked to describe the advantages and disadvantages of a phantom equity plan. Phantom equity plans are particularly useful for private companies without publicly traded shares of stock. Privately held companies have unique organizational traits that require a substantially different approach to executive compensation. Often, executive compensation arrangements that are appropriate in a publicly Read More
What Relief Is Provided Under the Employer ‘Pay or Play’ Mandate Final Regulations?
February 14, 2014
Hall Benefits Law, LLCOn February 10, 2014, the Department of Treasury (the "Treasury") and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations on the requirement that employers provide affordable health insurance to employees (the "Employer Mandate") and the associated "Pay or Play" penalty under health care reform. This HR Alert provides a summary of the transitional relief available during 2015 under the final Read More
What Are Some Employer Best Practices for Managing a DOL Audit?
February 12, 2014
Hall Benefits Law, LLCMost employer ERISA pension and welfare benefit plans are subject to investigation by the Department of Labor (DOL). The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is the agency of the DOL responsible for enforcing Title I of ERISA (which sets minimum standards to ensure that employee benefit plans are maintained in a fair and financially sound manner), including managing civil and criminal investigations. Read More
What Are the 2014 Cost of Living Adjustments for Retirement and Health and Welfare Plans?
February 12, 2014
Hall Benefits Law, LLCThe following provides a summary of the dollar limits applicable to retirement plans, health and welfare benefits and the social security wage base for the 2014 tax year. Retirement Plans The dollar limits applicable to retirement plans for the 2014 tax year are as follows: Elective Deferrals:$17,500 (unchanged from 2013) Catch-Up Contributions: $5,500 (unchanged from 2013) Total Annual Read More
What is the Safe Harbor Method for Determining FTE Status for Ongoing Employees?
January 29, 2014
Hall Benefits Law, LLCThe requirement that employers provide affordable health insurance to employees (the "Employer Mandate") and the associated "pay or play" penalty under health care reform has been delayed until 2015. Whether an employer is subject to the Employer Mandate along with the amount of the Employer Mandate penalty (if any) will be determined by the number of an employer's full-time employees (FTEs). The Department of Read More
