In a recent blog post we discussed the new disability claims procedure rules scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2018. Earlier this year, as part of the administrationās direction to evaluate existing regulations to make them less burdensome, the Department of Labor (DOL) openedĀ a comment periodĀ (through December 11, 2017) on whether the new disability claims procedure rule should be modified, rescinded or retained and raised the possibility of a delay. Based on the…
Last year the Department of Labor (DOL) finalized new disability claims procedure rules, effective January 1, 2018, to add more procedural safeguards and provide claimants access to more information. Covered Plans The new rules are not limited to disability plans.Ā They apply to all ERISA welfare and pension plans that provide benefits based on a finding of disability (e.g., vesting or payment under pension, 401(k), and top hat plans or life insurance plans that require…