2020 Aon Washington Report Index
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Weekly federal legislative and regulatory updates affecting the U.S. workforce and workplace.
Aon Washington Report - 12/16/2020
- President Signs Stopgap Funding Measure Into Law; Congress Returns to Consider Another Budget Bill With Possible COVID Relief Provisions
- Departments Publish Final Regulations on Grandfathered Group Health Plans and Grandfathered Group Health Insurance Coverage
- HHS Releases NPRM Proposing Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule; Improving Coordinated Care and Reducing Regulatory Burdens
- PBGC Releases FY 2020 Annual Report; Multiemployer Program Projected to Be Insolvent in FY 2026 While Single-Employer Program Improves
- IRS Provides Guidance on Sections 102 and 103 of the SECURE Act With Respect to Safe Harbor Plans
- IRS Releases Final Regulations on Rollover Rules for Qualified Plan Loan Offset Amounts
- Treasury and IRS Release Final Regulations on the Deduction for Qualified Transportation Fringe and Commuting Expenses
- DOL Publishes Final Rule Implementing Legal Requirements for Religious Exemption
- IRS Issues Adjusted PCORI Fee for Plans
- New HHS Regulations Establish Payment Rules for Part B Drugs and New Rebate Rules
- It’s Unanimous—SCOTUS Says ERISA Does Not Preempt Arkansas’ Pharmacy Reimbursement Law
- 2021 Limits for Benefit Plans
- Departments Inject Another Round of Vaccine Guidance for Employers
Aon Washington Report - 12/9/2020
- House Approves Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana; Senate Passage Unlikely
- CMS Releases Proposed Rule on 2022 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters
- IRS Updates FAQs on Qualified Health Plan Expenses for Purposes of COVID Impact Payments
- IRS Releases Adjusted Applicable Dollar Amount for PCORTF Fee for Insured and Self-Insured Health Plans
- HHS/CMS Announce Prescription Drug Payment Model for Medicare Part B Drugs
- HHS Finalizes Rule on Eliminating Medicare Part D Drug Rebates
- Advance Copies of 2020 Form 5500 Series Annual Return/Report Now Available
- EEOC Launches EEOC Explore, a New Data Tool Tracking Employment Trends
- EEOC Revises Three Documents Addressing Employment of Veterans With Disabilities
- IRS Updates FAQs Determining the Amount of the FFCRA Tax Credit for Qualified Family Leave Wages
- DOL Updates FAQs Addressing Cloth Face Coverings as Personal Protective Equipment
- EEOC Requests Public Comment on Revised Enforcement Guidance on Religious Discrimination
- Implications of a Mandatory Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Aon Washington Report - 11/18/2020
- IRS and PBGC Issue Guidance Extending CARES Act Contribution Deadline to January 4, 2021
- DOL Releases Final Regulation on Registration Requirements for Pooled Plan Providers
- EEOC Publishes Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Financial Report
- Departments Publish Final Rules on Price Transparency for Health Plans
- Year-End Update: Recent Developments and Other Guidance Potentially Affecting Retirement Plans for 2020 and 2021
Aon Washington Report - 11/11/2020
- Biden Wins Presidential Election
- Congress Begins Lame-Duck Session
- CMS Announces 2021 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
- IRS Releases Final Regulations on Updated Life Expectancy and Distribution Period Tables Used for Purposes of Determining Minimum Required Distributions
- DOL Announces Final Rule on Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments
- DOL Announces Final Rule Codifying Procedures to Resolve Potential Employment Discrimination
Aon Washington Report Special Edition- 11/5/2020
- The People Have Spoken – Now What? Employers, Health Care, and Election 2020
Aon Washington Report - 11/4/2020
- Departments Release Final Rule on Price Transparency Initiative
- EEOC Publishes Final Rule for Issuing Policy Guidance
- IRS Releases 2021 Contribution Limits for Benefit Plans and Final Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
Aon Washington Report - 10/28/2020
- Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court
- EBSA Updates Self-Compliance Tool to Determine if Health Plans or Insurers Comply with MHPAEA
- IRS 2021 Official Indexed Figures for Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans; 401(k) Contribution Limit Remains $19,500 for 2021
- PBGC Posts 2021 Applicable Present Values Table
- PBGC Releases New Pension Plan Studies and Data Tables
- IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for 2021
- IRS 2021 Official Indexed Figures for Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 10/21/2020
- Maximum Newly Available Amount for EB-HRAs Remains at $1,800 for 2021
- PBGC Updates Maximum Monthly Guarantees for Single-Employer Plans
- PBGC Announces 2021 Premium Rates for Single-Employer and Multiemployer Plans
- Impact of COVID-19 on Organizations, Financial Markets, and Retirement Programs: Is Hindsight 20/20? Preparing Your Retirement Plan Finances for Year-End Amidst Ongoing Uncertainty
Aon Washington Report - 10/14/2020
- Congress on October Recess
- Social Security Administration Releases 2021 Indexed Figures; Announces 1.3% Benefit Increase
- DOL Issues Interim Final Rule on Wage Methodology Used in Several Foreign Worker Programs
- Impact of COVID-19 on Organizations, Financial Markets, and Retirement Programs: Is Hindsight 20/20? Preparing Your Retirement Plan Finances for Year-End Amidst Ongoing Uncertainty
Aon Washington Report - 10/7/2020
- Congress on October Recess
- President Signs Spending Bill Into Law
- IRS Publishes Notice on Transition Relief Related to Health Coverage Reporting Required by Sections 6055 and 6056 for 2020; Extends Due Date to March 2, 2021
- PBGC Releases Third Installment of 2018 Pension Insurance Data Tables
- IRS Issues Final Regulations for Meals and Entertainment Deduction
- IRS Extends Due Date for Forms 1095-C and 1095-B to March 2, 2021
- HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
Aon Washington Report - 9/30/2020
- President Announces America First Healthcare Plan; Issues Executive Orders
- House Approves Spending Bill; Moves to Senate
- House Approves Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- HHS Issues Rules and Guidance in Response to America First Healthcare EO
- PBGC Announces It Will Allow Greater Flexibility Related to Premium Filings Due to COVID; Releases Technical Update 20-2
Aon Washington Report - 9/23/2020
- President Signs Executive Order to Reduce Drug Cost
- House Passes Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act; Would Repeal Antitrust Exemption for Health Insurers
- DOL Releases Proposed Rule on Independent Contractor Status Under FLSA
Aon Washington Report - 9/16/2020
- IRS Postpones Due Date for Reporting and Payment of Excise Taxes Relating to Minimum Required Contributions Delayed Under Section 3608(a) of CARES Act
- PBGC Publishes Final Rule on Lump Sum Payment Assumptions
- IRS Releases Guidance on Miscellaneous Changes Under SECURE Act
- DOL Releases Proposed Rule on Registration Requirements for Pooled Plan Providers
- DOL Revises Regulations to Clarify Paid Leave Requirements Under FFCRA; Updates Q&A Guidance
- EEOC Updates COVID Technical Assistance Publication
- IRS Releases Fourth Quarter Update to 2019–2020 Priority Guidance Plan
- New Aon White Paper on the DC Plan of the Future
Aon Washington Report - 9/2/2020
- DOL Releases Interim Final Rule on Pension Benefit Statements for Defined Contribution Plans; Lifetime Income Illustrations
- IRS Issues Guidance Implementing Presidential Memorandum Deferring Certain Employee Social Security Tax Withholding
- DOL Issues Guidance About Paid Leave Eligibility Related to the Reopening of Schools
Aon Washington Report - 8/26/2020
- CRS Updates Report on COVID-19 and Private Health Insurance Coverage
- DOL Issues Field Assistance Bulletin Clarifying Employers’ Obligations to Track Compensable Hours for Teleworkers
Aon Washington Report - 8/19/2020
- Congress Adjourns for August Recess, Could Return Early
Aon Washington Report - 8/12/2020
- President Authorizes Payroll Tax Deferral and Extended Unemployment Benefits
- IRS Provides Guidance on Pension Funding Relief Under CARES Act
- IRS Updates Rollover Safe Harbor Explanations to Reflect Changes Under SECURE Act
- IRS Provides Guidance on COVID-19 Employee Layoffs and Rehires Under Partial Plan Termination Rules
- IRS Posts Guidance on Leave-Sharing Plans for Employees Affected by COVID-19
- Court Strikes Down Portion of Rule Exempting Health Care Providers From FFCRA Leave
Aon Washington Report - 8/05/2020
- House Passes $1.3 Trillion Spending Package
- HHS Secretary Issues Report on Surprise Medical Billing
- HHS Renews Declaration of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Aon Washington Report - 7/29/2020
- President Trump Signs Executive Orders on Drug Pricing
- House Passes Spending Package
- IRS Releases Revenue Procedure on Examination of Returns and Claims for Refund, Credit, or Abatement; Determination of Correct Tax Liability; Provides Updates for ACA Applicable Percentage Table and Employer Required Contribution Percentage
- PBGC Publishes Q&As on CARES Act and Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plans
- The IRS Releases Temporary and Proposed Regulations on Capturing Excess Employment Tax Credits
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 7/22/2020
- Congress Returns to Consider COVID-19 Relief Package
- IRS Publishes Draft Forms 1094/1095-C
- As Businesses Reopen, DOL Provides Additional Questions and Answers Guidance on Wage and Hour Rules, FMLA, and FFCRA
- DOL Enhances FMLA Forms and Publishes RFI Seeking Public Comment on FMLA Administration and Use
- DOL Publishes RFI on Effectiveness and Impact of Paid Family Leave on Women and Families
Aon Washington Report - 7/15/2020
- Supreme Court Allows Religious Employers to Opt Out of ACA-Mandated Contraceptive Coverage
- Departments Release Proposed Rule Allowing Grandfathered Group Health Plans to Increase Some Enrollee Costs
- DOL Proposes Guidance on Investment Advice; New Exemption for Fiduciaries
- IRS Releases COVID-19 Relief and Other Guidance on Mid-Year Reductions or Suspensions of Contributions to Safe Harbor Section 401(k) and Section 401(m) Plans
- IRS Releases Guidance on Waiver of 2020 Required Minimum Distributions
- DOL Launches Public Awareness Campaign to Promote Workers’ Rights Under FFCRA
- IRS Issues Guidance on Reporting Qualified Sick Leave Wages and Qualified Family Leave Wages Paid Pursuant to FFCRA
- OSHA Publishes COVID-19 FAQs, Recommends Mask Usage When Returning to Workplace
- SCOTUS Upholds Rules Allowing Religious Employers to Opt Out of ACA Birth Control Mandate
Aon Washington Report - 7/01/2020
- House Passes Affordable Care Act Enhancement Bill
- Departments Issue FAQs About FFCRA and CARES Act
- DOL Announces Proposed Rule on Financial Factors for Selecting Plan Investments
- PBGC Publishes 2018 Pension Insurance Data Tables
- IRS Updates Deferral of Employment Tax Deposit FAQs
- DOL Releases Guidance on Child Labor and FFCRA Amid School/Camp Closures
- Departments Issue More FAQs on FFCRA and CARES
- “A Plan’s Gotta Know Its Limitations”—Federal Government Releases 2021 ACA and HDHP Limits
Aon Washington Report - 6/24/2020
- DOL Issues Proposed 2020 Self-Compliance Tool to Further Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Compliance; Requests Public Comments
- IRS Publishes Guidance for Coronavirus-Related Distributions and Loans From Retirement Plans Under the CARES Act
- IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on the Elimination of the Deduction of Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit Expenses
- OSHA Issues Guidance as Non-Essential Businesses Reopen and Employees Return to Workplace
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance Bulletin; Addresses Antibody Testing
- EEOC Nixes Antibody Tests Under the ADA
- SCOTUS Extends Employment Protections of ’64 Civil Rights Act to Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Employees; HHS’s Final 1557 Rule Narrows ACA Nondiscrimination Protections
Aon Washington Report - 6/17/2020
- Supreme Court Rules That Homosexual and Transgender Employees Are Protected by Title VII of Civil Rights Act
- HHS Releases Final Rule on ACA Section 1557
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication; Contains Q&A Section of Common Workplace Questions (Including Age and National Origin Discrimination)
- IRS Publishes Guidance on Employer Leave-Based Donations Programs That Aid Pandemic Victims
- Treasury and IRS Invite Public Recommendations for 2020–2021 Priority Guidance Plan
- OSHA Issues FAQs About Face Coverings, Surgical Masks, and Respirators in the Workplace
- New Rules under ERISA for Electronic Disclosure for Retirement Plans
- Thole v. U.S. Bank: Supreme Court Ruling Decision—Good News for Defined Benefit Plan Fiduciaries
Aon Washington Report - 6/10/2020
- Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act Signed Into Law
- IRS Publishes PCORI Fee
- IRS Releases Proposed Regulations Addressing DPC Arrangements and HCSM Memberships
- CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Risk Adjustment Data Validation Program
- IRS Provides Temporary Relief to Allow Remote Signatures for Written Consents to Retirement Plan Elections
- DOL Publishes Final Rule on Fluctuating Workweek Method of Computing Overtime
- IRS Issues Regulations on Executive Compensation at Tax-Exempt Organizations
- EEOC Announces New Web Page on Commissioner Charges and Directed Investigations; Explains Important Processes to Fight Discrimination
- IRS Releases PCORI Fee for Plans and Provides 2019 Relief
Aon Washington Report - 6/03/2020
- House-Passed Bill Would Ease Paycheck Protection Program Loan Rules
- IRS Announces 2021 HSA Limits
- DOL Releases Final Rule on Electronic Delivery of ERISA Required Disclosure by Employee Retirement Plans
- IRS Postpones Deadlines for Time-Sensitive Actions Due to COVID-19
- DOL Issues Final Rule Simplifying Retail or Service Establishment Exemption
- 2020 Defined Contribution Employer Survey Report Now Available
- IRS Issues 2021 HSA Limits
Aon Washington Report - 5/20/2020
- House Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill; Senate Passage Unlikely
- DOL Updates Pandemic FAQs on Paid Sick and Family Medical Leave
- IRS Expands Menu for Cafeteria Plans
Aon Washington Report - 5/13/2020
- CRS Updates ACA Report in Response to Pandemic
- IRS Releases Guidance on Section 125 Cafeteria Plans; Offering Increased Flexibility for Taxpayers
- CMS Releases Final 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Rule; Issues Letter to Issuers and 2020 Key Dates Chart
- IRS Updates FAQs on Employee Retention Credit and Paycheck Protection Program
- EEO Data Collections Delayed Due to Pandemic
- EEOC Updates Technical Assistance Questions and Answers on Returning to Work During Pandemic
Aon Washington Report - 5/06/2020
- Departments Release COVID-19 Relief and Guidance for Employee Benefit Plans
- DOL Issues COBRA FAQs and Revised Model Notices for Employee Benefit Plans
- IRS Publishes Q&As on COVID-19 Relief for Retirement Plans
- IRS Updates FAQs on Employee Retention Credit
- DOL Publishes 11 New Translations of OSHA Poster Preventing COVID-19 Exposure
- Agencies Extend Deadlines Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
- Risky Business: SCOTUS Says U.S. Owes Insurers $12 Billion Under ACA’s Risk Corridor Program
Aon Washington Report - 4/29/2020
- Supreme Court Rules Government Owes ACA Insurers $12 Billion
- President Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill Into Law
- Senate to Reconvene; House Delays Return
- EEOC Updates Technical Assistance Bulletin; Addresses Additional Pandemic Workplace Issues
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 4/22/2020
- DOL Updates FFCRA FAQs
- DOL Ends Temporary Non-Enforcement of Paid Leave Protections Under FFCRA
- IRS Issues New FAQs on Refundable Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Employers Under FFCRA
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Publication; Includes Section of Common Workplace Questions
Aon Washington Report - 4/15/2020
- Departments Release FAQs on Expanded Coverage for Essential Diagnostic Services Amid COVID-19
- IRS Expands Relief for Tax Forms and Other Filings; Extends Form 5500 Deadline to July 15, 2020
- PBGC Extends Deadlines for Premium Payments and Other Filings to July 15, 2020
- DOL Issues Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of COVID-19
- EEOC Releases Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication
- Departments Issue More FAQs on FFCRA and CARES Act
Aon Washington Report - 4/08/2020
- DOL Announces New Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Implementation; Releases Temporary Regulations
- IRS Provides Information on Employee Retention Credit Available for Businesses Financially Impacted by COVID-19
- IRS Releases FAQs on COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses
- IRS Issues FAQs on Tax Credits for Paid Leave
- DOL Issues Temporary Regulations on FFCRA Emergency Paid Leaves
- Aon Presents: Investment Market Update: Q2 2020
Aon Washington Report - 4/01/2020
- President Signs $2T COVID-19 Stimulus Package Into Law
- IRS Publishes Notice on Effective Date for Employment Tax Credits Under the FFCRA
- DOL Publishes Several Rounds of Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Under the FFCRA
- President Signs CARES Act Into Law
- DOL Issues Guidance on FFCRA Paid Leave Provisions
- DOL Issues FFCRA FAQs While IRS Begins Tax Credit Guidance
- Aon Presents: Investment Market Update: Q2 2020
Aon Washington Report - 3/25/2020
- COVID-19 Relief Bill Signed Into Law
- EEOC Hosting Webinar to Address COVID-19 Questions
- Departments and IRS Announce Plan to Implement COVID-19-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Businesses
- EEOC Provides Information About What Employers Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19; Provides Pandemic Preparedness Publication
- OSHA Provides Guidance on Recording Workplace Exposure to COVID-19
- President Trump Signs COVID-19 Relief Package Into Law “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family and Sick Leave; Health Care Plans Must Cover COVID-19 Testing Without Employee Cost-Sharing
- Aon Presents: Investment Market Update: Q2 2020
Aon Washington Report Special Edition - 3/19/2020
- President Trump Signs COVID-19 Relief Package Into Law
Aon Washington Report - 3/18/2020
- House Passes Coronavirus Relief Bill Which Includes Limited Paid Emergency Sick Leave; Moves to Senate
- CMS Posts FAQs on EHB Coverage in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak
- IRS States High-Deductible Health Plans Can Cover Coronavirus Costs
- IRS Releases Cumulative List of Changes in Plan Qualification Requirements for Pre-Approved Defined Benefit Plans
- DOL Releases FAQs on COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the FMLA
- IRS Grants Temporary Relief From HDHP Deductible Rules for Coverage of COVID-19
- DOL Issues FAQs on FMLA and COVID-19
Aon Washington Report - 3/11/2020
- President Trump Signs Coronavirus Bill Into Law
- HHS Releases Two Final Rules Providing Patients With Secure Access to Health Data
- PBGC Releases Updated Forms and Instructions for Reportable Events, 4010 Filings and Premiums
Aon Washington Report - 3/4/2020
- Supreme Court Will Hear ACA Constitutionality Case During Upcoming Term
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting and Compliance Quarterly Update – SPECIAL EDITION
Aon Washington Report - 2/26/2020
- NLRB Releases Final Rule on Joint Employer Status
- IRS Releases Proposed Regulations Updating Guidance on Business Expense Deductions for Meals and Entertainment
- EEOC Launches Guidance Database
- How Do You Create the DC Plan of the Future?
Aon Washington Report - 2/19/2020
- CMS Releases Advance Notice Part II and Proposed Rule on Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Aon Washington Report - 2/12/2020
- President Trump Releases Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
- EEOC Releases 2020 Priorities
- EEOC Issues Annual Performance Report for FY 2019
Aon Washington Report - 2/05/2020
- President Delivers State of the Union Address
- HHS Issues Proposed Rule on 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters; Releases 2021 Annual Letter to Issuers
- IRS Releases Final Regulations on the Determination of the Maximum Value of a Vehicle for Use With the Fleet-Average and Vehicle Cents-Per-Mile Valuation Rules
- Aon Publications on Federal Developments in 2019
Aon Washington Report - 1/29/2020
- EEOC Releases FY 2019 Enforcement and Litigation Data
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 1/22/2020
- Impeachment Trial Begins
- Supreme Court Denies Expedited Review of ACA Constitutionality Case
- Supreme Court Agrees to Review ACA Birth Control Mandate
Aon Washington Report - 1/15/2020
- PBGC Announces Release of Comprehensive Premium Filing Instructions for 2020
- DOL Releases Final Rule Updating FLSA’s Joint Employer Regulations
- Now Available: 2020 Aon Compliance Calendar—Significant Retirement and Health & Welfare Due Dates
- 2020 Medicare Part D Disclosure Reminder
- “Retirement Transformed: New Legislation Including the SECURE Act Creates Opportunities for Retirement Plan Sponsors”
Aon Washington Report - 1/08/2020
- Congress Reconvenes
- IRS Releases 2020 Covered Compensation Tables
- IRS Publishes Standard Mileage Rates
- IRS Releases Proposed Regulations Limiting Tax Benefits on Executive Compensation
- Fifth Circuit Rules ACA Mandate Unconstitutional but Punts on Severability Issue
- 2020 Limits for Benefit Plans
- Federal Budget Deal Is Nice (Mostly) to Employer Group Health Care Plans