News & Events

Your HSA: A Beginner’s Guide

New to a Health Savings Account (HSA)? Here’s What You Need to Know As the name suggests, a Health Savings Account(HSA) is a special savings account used to pay for healthcare-related expenses. An HSA has potential financial benefits for now and later.  Not only can you save pre-tax dollars in this account to pay for qualified … Continued

Top Employee Benefit Trends for 2025 | VA Employee Benefits Team

Employee benefits are the indirect and non-cash compensation paid to an employee. These benefits are given to employees over their salaries and wages.  As we look ahead to 2025, companies are increasingly exploring innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of their workforce. Driven by shifts in work environments, economic challenges, and technological progress, the … Continued

Reducing Rising Healthcare Costs in 2025 | Virginia Benefits Team

Healthcare costs are projected to rise significantly in 2025. To mitigate these increases, consider these tips: Know Your Plan: Take time to review what your health plan covers—and what it doesn’t—to avoid unexpected costs. Understand your health plan’s coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Utilize In-Network Providers: Receiving care from out-of-network providers can dramatically … Continued

Benefits Breakdown December 2024 | VA Employee Benefits Group

Mercer Report Projects 5.8% Health Benefits Cost Increase in 2025 U.S. employers estimate health benefit costs will increase by 5.8% in 2025, according to Mercer’s 2024 National Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans. This would mark the third consecutive year that the total cost per employee rose more than 5%. The report attributed the higher costs to … Continued

Benefits Insights: Key Drivers of 2025 Health Care Cost Increases | VA Employee Benefits Advisors

Health care costs are projected to increase substantially in 2025. Estimates show a similar growth in spending to 2024, marking multiple years of compounding costs. Specifically, health care costs in the United States are likely to increase by 7%-8% in 2025, according to the following data from multiple surveys: Large employers predicted their health care … Continued

Battling Holiday Depression: Tips to Avoid a Blue Christmas | Virginia Benefits Firm

For some, the lyrics “with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call, it’s the hap-happiest season of all” stirs happy memories of Christmas caroling. However, for others, the holidays can be one of the most stressful and isolating times of the year. The season often brings a whirlwind of demands—shopping, … Continued

2025 Employee Benefits Limits: What You Need to Know | VA Employee Benefits Team

Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are adjusted for inflation. For 2025, most of these limits have increased. However, some limits, such as those for dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Account (HSA) catch-up contributions, remain unchanged. Key Benefit Limits for 2025: Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions Single … Continued

Navigating Employee Benefits: A Glossary | Virginia Employee Benefits Consultants

Employee benefits can be a complex landscape, filled with acronyms and unfamiliar terms. In fact, more than 50% of American adults report that they don’t have a clear understanding of their health insurance.  Many people are confused because they reach adulthood without ever learning the basics of health insurance terminology.  Illiteracy about health insurance is … Continued

Gag Clause Attestation Deadline | VA Employee Benefits Partners

As the year comes to an end, a crucial compliance deadline looms for employers with health plans. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), health plans and insurance issuers must submit a Gag Clause Compliance Attestation by December 31, 2024. Since its enactment in 2020, this regulation prohibits health plans from including gag clauses—provisions that limit … Continued

FSA Contribution Limits for 2025 | Virginia Benefits Group

On October 22, 2024, the IRS announced that the limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to a health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will increase to $3,3000 for plan years beginning in 2025.  This is an increase from the 2024 limit of $3,200.  By understanding the latest contribution limits, individuals can better plan for 2025 and … Continued