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As winter settles in, bringing colder temperatures and shorter days, many individuals grapple with a common phenomenon known as the winter blues, which are symptoms of low-level sadness lasting through the winter months. Going beyond winter blues, some people may have a complex type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People experiencing SAD show…

Charging a battery through a free public USB charging station may seem innocuous, but doing so could result in costly cybersecurity issues. Through a tactic known as juice jacking, a malicious actor can gain access to an individual’s device when they connect to these ports. Since these charging stations are common in public places like…

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2023-75, containing cost- of-living adjustments for 2023 that affect amounts employees can contribute to 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). 2024 Increases The employee contribution limit for 401(k) plans in 2024 has increased to $23,000, up from $22,500 for 2023. Other key limit increases include the…

The IRS has released final 2023 forms and instructions for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056: Draft versions of these forms were released in July, and draft instructions were released in September. No major substantive changes were made to the final forms and instructions for 2023 reporting. Final Instructions Address New Electronic…

A data breach report from the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found that there were 2,116 publicly reported data compromises in the U.S. market during the first nine months of 2023. This figure represents the most in a calendar year, and there are still three months to go. The previous high mark was set…

Experts are predicting that the United States may have another early start to the influenza (flu) season this year. When colder weather arrives, flu rates typically increase, peaking between December and February. This article previews the 2023-24 flu season and highlights information about this year’s flu vaccine. The 2023-24 Flu Season Since the start of…

Employers with insured group health plans may soon receive a medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate from their health insurance issuers. Issuers who did not meet the applicable MLR percentage for 2022 must provide rebates to plan sponsors by Sept. 30, 2023. These rebates may be in the form of a premium credit or a lump-sum…

On Aug. 23, 2023, the IRS released the affordability percentage threshold for 2024 plan years under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) pay or play rules. For plan years beginning in 2024, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s pay or play rules if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed…

Several cost-driving trends have contributed to the hard commercial property insurance market. This environment has led to continuous rate increases and other challenging conditions. In these circumstances, it’s crucial for businesses to understand why premiums have been rising. This article discusses seven factors currently impacting commercial property insurance costs. Contact Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors…

Employers have been forced to navigate and respond to several challenges over the last few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a tight labor market, rising health care costs, inflation and a potential recession. These challenges have pushed many organizations and their employees to their limits. According to a recent survey from management consulting firm McKinsey,…