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NewYork-Presbyterian Exits UnitedHealthcare Network March 31

NewYork-Presbyterian's March 31 deadline to exit UnitedHealthcare networks forces Long Island employers to prepare for April 1 out-of-network status that could increase employee healthcare costs 300-400% for major procedures at this major hospital system.

Employers Must Amend Retirement Plans by December 31, 2026

Employers sponsoring 401(k) and 403(b) plans must formally adopt SECURE 2.0 amendments by December 31, 2026. Failure to amend creates ERISA violation exposure and audit risk. Eleven months remain to coordinate with plan providers and ensure compliance.

Employers Must Update HIPAA Privacy Notices by Feb 16, 2026

Employers with group health plans face a February 16, 2026 deadline to update HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices reflecting regulatory changes. Failure to comply creates federal violation exposure and potential penalties. Immediate action required.

The 1980 Law That Reshaped Multiemployer Pension Security

The Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980 fundamentally transformed private pension regulations, introducing stringent funding requirements and preservation measures for financially vulnerable multiemployer pension plans across American industries.

Boardroom Rebels: Reinventing Employee Health Benefits

When corporate innovators challenged tax codes and transformed how American workers could protect their families' financial futures.

NY Secure Choice Deadline March 18: Register or Certify Exemption

New York's mandatory Secure Choice retirement plan requires employers with 30+ employees to register by March 18, 2026—or certify exemption if offering a qualified 401k. Failure to register exposes your firm to state enforcement action and potential penalties.

NY Bans Employment Credit Checks Statewide April 18

New York prohibits most employment credit checks effective April 18, 2026—just 71 days away. Employers must audit hiring practices, revise background check policies, and eliminate credit history requirements except for narrow exemptions.

NYC Mandates 32 Hours Unpaid Sick Leave Starting February 22

New York City's expanded Earned Safe and Sick Time Act requires all employers to frontload 32 hours of unpaid leave upon hire and annually starting February 22, 2026—just 16 days away. Employers must update policies, tracking systems, and employee notices immediately.

NY Mandates Safety Plans for Retailers with 10+ Employees

New York's Retail Worker Safety Act requires all retailers with 10 or more employees to implement written workplace violence prevention policies and conduct interactive training. Nassau and Suffolk County retailers must comply immediately or face enforcement action.

New York Bans Training Repayment Agreements Effective Immediately

Governor Hochul signed the Trapped at Work Act on December 19, 2025, immediately voiding all employment agreements requiring workers to repay training costs if they leave before a specified time period. Long Island employers must review and revise existing contracts now.

Group Life Insurance Over $50K Triggers Complex Tax Reporting in 2026

Employers providing group life insurance exceeding $50,000 must calculate imputed income using IRS Table I rates and report it on employee W-2 forms. Many employers discover compliance gaps during Q1 when processing year-end payroll reports and face penalties for incorrect calculations.

Voluntary Benefits Face New ERISA Fiduciary Litigation Risk

A wave of ERISA class actions filed in December 2025 targets employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs including accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance. Employers face fiduciary liability claims even for employee-paid supplemental coverage.

Employers Must Update HSA Systems for 2026 Limit Increases

The IRS increased HSA contribution limits to $4,400 for self-only and $8,750 for family coverage in 2026. Employers must update payroll systems, plan documents, and employee communications to ensure compliance and avoid processing errors that could trigger tax penalties.

IRS Raises 2026 Health FSA Contribution Limit to $3,400

The IRS increased the health FSA contribution limit from $3,300 to $3,400 for plan years beginning in 2026. Employers must update plan documents, adjust payroll systems, and communicate the higher pre-tax savings opportunity to employees before open enrollment periods.