In our January issue, we outlined the major compliance themes shaping 2026. This month, we build on that foundation with a deeper look at the annual updates, effective dates, and action steps employers need as the new year begins.
Over the past two months, several major surveys — including the 2025 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, the ADP TotalSource Employee Benefits Survey, and the 2025 National Benefits Survey — have painted a clear picture: employees are demanding more meaningful, more personalized, and more supportive benefits than ever before. Employers, facing a tight labor market and rising competition for talent, are responding by reshaping their benefits strategies around five core themes.
Whether you’re building a new home addition, adding a feature like a swimming pool, redoing a bathroom or upgrading an electrical system, understanding and addressing possible renovation risks is critical.
Your property schedule is one of the most important—and often overlooked—documents in your insurance program. While it may look like a simple list of buildings, values, and locations, this schedule plays a critical role in how your coverage responds when a loss occurs.
Running a business comes with significant risk. Everyday interactions, such as serving customers, visiting clients or running marketing campaigns, can expose businesses to potential liability. A customer could slip on a wet floor, a contractor could accidentally damage a client’s property, or a marketing campaign could unintentionally harm the reputation of a competitor. Just one single liability incident can trigger an expensive lawsuit and have far-reaching consequences. Beyond potential settlement costs, legal defense costs—even if claims are found to be baseless—can quickly escalate into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, litigation can disrupt operations and undermine customer and stakeholder trust.
As 2025 closes, several pressing compliance issues will shape your responsibilities in 2026. Updated PCORI fees, Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting obligations, state-level mandates, and new federal requirements such as gag clause attestations are all on the horizon.
School construction and renovation projects are essential for maintaining safe, functional, and modern learning environments. Whether a district is expanding due to enrollment growth, upgrading aging facilities, or making safety improvements, construction activity introduces a level of risk that goes well beyond the worksite itself. When projects occur on active campuses, those risks extend to students, staff, contractors, and district operations.
As 2025 draws to a close, employers and benefits professionals face a shifting regulatory landscape that will shape health and welfare programs in 2026 and beyond. This year’s developments underscore the government’s dual priorities: expanding access, modernizing benefit delivery, and balancing compliance with practical flexibility. Below is a roundup of the most significant regulatory highlights.
Winter weather events are becoming less predictable, even in regions that don’t traditionally experience prolonged cold, ice, or snow. Sudden freezes, icy roadways, power disruptions, and rapidly changing forecasts can create significant challenges for school districts — often with little time to respond.
During challenging times or traumatic events, organizations can do a lot to support employees. NAMI encourages people to bring their whole selves to work, which includes their mental health. As employers, it’s important to acknowledge what’s happening outside of the workplace, its potential impact on employee wellness, and support employees so that they can continue to do their best work.
