Photo of Lynne Wakefield

Lynne regularly assists clients with issues relating to employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits, including the design, implementation, and administration of group health plans, cafeteria plans, health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), wellness programs, and retiree medical and private exchange coverage.

In this installment of our Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation podcast series, Troutman Pepper Partners Jim Earle, Lynne Wakefield, and Lydia Parker discuss the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo on benefits-related regulations, including the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule; environmental, social, and governance regulations; protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity under the Affordable Care Act; and much more.Continue Reading Regulatory Uncertainty: Benefits-Related Legal Challenges in a Post-Chevron World

In Episode 5 of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, Troutman Pepper Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs sit down with Troutman Pepper Partners Ashley Hager and Lynne Wakefield to discuss the hit show The Handmaid’s Tale and lessons learned about corporate abortion policies. Tune in to hear a lively conversation about what companies can do if they want to offer abortion benefits, including travel benefits, and the risks and challenges of implementing such benefits.
Continue Reading What Can The Handmaid’s Tale Teach Us About Corporate Abortion Policies?

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Thursday, July 15 • 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Please join members of the Troutman Pepper Labor and Employment and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Teams, along with guest Steve Kapper, Associate Client Partner at Korn Ferry, as they discuss the “new” workplace and how to prepare for the next pandemic/economic recession.

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Q: Has the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance on the COBRA premium subsidy?

A: On March 25, we reported on the 100% federally funded COBRA premium subsidy included in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), noting the need for additional guidance on a number of issues. See “COVID-19 Resource Guide for Human Resources Professionals: 100% Federally Funded COBRA is Almost Here — What You Need to Know.” In response to questions from stakeholders, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs on April 7, providing much needed guidance on the COBRA premium subsidy. While the FAQs provide employers with some clarity on the implementation and administration of the COBRA premium subsidy, additional guidance is still needed.
Continue Reading DOL Issues Guidance on Federally Funded COBRA Premium Subsidy — FAQs and Model Notices Provide Clarification for Employers