The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
October 14, 2026
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11 items · ~3 min read
Top of the Brief
Lockton Companies Disability Benefit Ruled to Fall Under ERISA“U.S. District Judge Andrew Schopler, in a September 30 order in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, found that ERISA governed Whitlock’s supplemental disability policy. Schopler ruled that while Lockton called the policy part of a “voluntary plan,” the employer’s actions—receiving commissions and fees, as well as endorsing the insurance policy as part of its own welfare benefit plan—brought the plan under ERISA’s purview.”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (2) · Health & Welfare Plans (2) · Litigation (4) · General Benefits (3)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
2 items“The District of Columbia has amended its Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016 (UPLAA) to temporarily reduce the duration of certain paid family and medical leave benefits and lower the maximum weekly benefit amount....” MORE >>
Source: DLA Piper
“On October 5, 2026, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) announced changes to the Transparency in Coverage (TIC) final rules, overhauling the 2020 regulatory framework for group health plans and health insurance issuers. The changes aim to standardize the TIC machine-readable files (MRFs) for greater accuracy and accessibility. The rules take effect December 7, 2026, with requirements phased in through July 2028. Bottom line: HHS is tightening TIC requirements to make pricing data usable, comparable, and reliable, while imposing greater accountability through executive attestation requirements.” MORE >>
Source: mintz.com
Health & Welfare Plans
2 items“Employers that treat GLP-1s as a treatment for chronic disease are the most likely to build a healthier workforce and keep healthcare costs under control over the long term. As rising costs and structural changes force employment and benefit shifts, a high-performance expert shares how leaders should prepare for hard conversations. Benefits leaders are looking for new ways to improve year-round communication and identifying new AI tools to assist in the process, all while managing rising costs and employee confusion.” MORE >>
Source: Employee Benefit News
“From Twitter to X or Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC, do name changes really spark greater interest in products or services? Proponents of individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements known as ICHRAs sure hope so, while skeptics scoff at the idea.” MORE >>
Source: National Law Review
Litigation
4 items“A federal judge found that Lockton Companies went beyond merely collecting employee premiums for disability insurance.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“U.S. District Judge Andrew Schopler, in a September 30 order in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, found that ERISA governed Whitlock’s supplemental disability policy. Schopler ruled that while Lockton called the policy part of a “voluntary plan,” the employer’s actions—receiving commissions and fees, as well as endorsing the insurance policy as part of its own welfare benefit plan—brought the plan under ERISA’s purview.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“In Gibson v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 25-2711 (JWB/JFD), 2026 WL 2983259 (D. Minn. Oct.” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
“In Farley v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, No. 4:24-cv-00894-SEP, 2026 WL 2971836 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 30, 2026), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri granted summary judgment to an ERISA long-term disability claimant, holding that Hartford forfeited deferential review when it missed the 45-day deadline to decide her appeal, [...]” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
General Benefits
3 items“Articles | October 13, 2026 By Edward Kaplan The high and rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs — at a double-digit annual rate — is a growing financial burden for plan sponsors.” MORE >>
Source: Segal
The IRS is proposing a rule concerning the Premium Tax Credit, which will affect how individuals and employers calculate and claim this credit for health insurance. MORE >>
Source: IRS
[Health & Welfare Plans]
60% of Medicare beneficiaries plan to use AI for open enrollment — but should they?“Benefits leaders are looking for new ways to improve year-round communication and identifying new AI tools to assist in the process, all while managing rising costs and employee confusion. Rising prices are creating uncertainty and concern among employees as employers search for a solution. Giving employees a resource for better benefits understanding can instill confidence and better outcomes with their healthcare. Capstone’s acquisition by AI-native brokerage platform Gyde will equip the consultancy to offer new technology and operational support to its small-business employer clients.” MORE >>
Source: Employee Benefit News