All News & Updates
Paycheck Protection Program Extended
April 5, 2021 – Congress has passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a 60-day extension of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP), which was set to expire on March 31.
Read MoreCOBRA Subsidy Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act
March 26, 2021 – The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA).
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Contains Employment-related Provisions
March 16, 2021 – President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law on March 11, 2021.
Read MoreAmerican Agency in the Twin Cities Joins North Risk Partners
Effective March 1, American Agency in the Twin Cities metro area joined North Risk Partners. Twenty-one American Agency team members joined the firm, growing North…
Read MoreBlue Cross Anti-Trust Lawsuit: Timing of Settlement Still Unknown
March 1, 2021 – In Sept. 2020, a settlement agreement was reached in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Cross) antitrust class-action lawsuit and recently the proposed settlement received preliminary approval.
Read MoreBiden Proposed Stimulus Package
Jan. 22, 2021 – In a recent speech, President Joe Biden outlined a proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus package to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and provide economic relief.
Read MorePremier Benefits Group in Fargo Joins North Risk Partners
Jan. 20, 2021 – Premier Benefits Group, an employee benefits agency in Fargo, has joined North Risk Partners. Al Berg founded Premier Benefits Group in…
Read MoreBernie Lowe & Associates, Inc. of Grinnell Joins North Risk Partners
Effective Jan. 1, employee benefits insurance agency Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc. (BLA) of Grinnell, Ia. joined North Risk Partners. BLA’s Grinnell office has become…
Read MoreCOVID-19: OSHA Recordable Illness if Work-Related
Jan. 15, 2021 – Since the onset of COVID-19, some employees have contracted the illness in work-related environments. OSHA has provided guidelines for scenarios in which COVID-19 is a recordable illness.
Read MoreDOL Issues Final Rule on Independent Contractor Status
On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that clarifies how to determine whether a worker is an employee who is protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or an independent contractor who is exempt from it.
Read MoreSpecial FSA Rules – Consolidated Appropriations Act
Jan. 5, 2021 – President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law on Dec. 27, 2020.
Read MoreFFCRA Paid Leave Requirement Expired Dec. 31
Jan. 4, 2021 – Mandated FFCRA leave expired Dec. 31, 2020.
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