BenefitsWire

“On August 5, 2026, the Treasury Department and the IRS (together, the “IRS”) released Notice 2026-28 – the first piece of guidance on the Code section 45S employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave (“PFML”) since the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBB”) made the tax credit permanent and expanded key provisions.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

“Covered government contractors and subcontractors may want to consider preparing now so they can complete their required filings by the September 30, 2026, deadline.” MORE >>

Source: Ogletree Deakins

“If finalized, the rule would offer group health plan sponsors another option to deliver ERISA documents electronically, thereby reducing the cost and administrative burden of paper notice delivery while preserving the participant’s right to request paper copies and opt out of electronic delivery. This rule does not replace the existing 2002 safe harbor but would instead be an additional available safe harbor. The proposed DOL safe harbor applies to group health plans and does not extend to other welfare benefit plans (such as disability, life insurance, or other plans that are not group health plans).” MORE >>

Source: Troutman Pepper Locke

“On August 3, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) mandating a “comprehensive verification and audit” of all data center projects currently advancing through the ERCOT interconnection process. This action effectively imposes an immediate pause on approvals, requiring that this audit be completed before any additional data center projects are permitted to move forward.” MORE >>

Source: Foley & Lardner

“ASAP By Sebastian Chilco and Michelle Barrett Falconer On August 7, 2026, the mayor of San Francisco, California signed File # 260451 (Ordinance 162-26), which will lower the amount of time an individual must be employed with their employer before they are potentially entitled to receive supplemental compensation under the Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (SF PPLO).” MORE >>

Source: Littler

“At a minimum, pensions should freeze new investments and mandates involving JPMorgan, Apollo, and Athene; disclose all direct and indirect exposure; demand the full internal investigations; and review potential securities and contractual claims. Divestment should not be framed as political punishment. It should be framed as ordinary fiduciary risk management.” MORE >>

Source: The Commonsense 401(k) Project

A rule is scheduled for publication on August 13, 2026, prohibiting federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for sex-reassignment procedures for children. MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

“According to a recent report from Vanguard, the most cost-effective way for employers to encourage total retirement savings is to pair a non-elective contribution with a stretched match.” MORE >>

Source: American Retirement Association

“Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications have become a dominant driver of drug spending, with total expenditures in the United States rising to $71.7 billion in 2023, up from $13.7 billion five years earlier. More recent data show that GLP-1s are now the largest and fastest-growing drug category, driven by expanding indications and sustained demand for obesity treatment. As these medications reshape drug spending and clinical practice, payers face mounting pressure to make coverage, utilization management, and contracting decisions—but in this rapidly shifting reimbursement landscape, there is a lack of long-term data available to inform strategic choices.” MORE >>

Source: Milliman

“ Employer prescription drug discount cards and manufacturer assistance programs generally don't affect HSA eligibility, as long as no discount or assistance counts toward the minimum HDHP deductible.” MORE >>

Source: WTW