Capitol Benefits Group News & Updates
April is Autism Awareness Month
Did you know? During the month of April, people all around the world light up their homes and businesses in blue for Autism Awareness Month. Even landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower are lighting it up in blue. You can purchase blue light bulbs at retailers like Home Depot or Amazon.
For more information on raising awareness and supporting financially, we are spotlighting the Autism Speaks organization.
Employer Webinars: Introduction to Mineral
Join us for this informative session to introduce all of the tools and services within Mineral. Together we will walk-through the Mineral Platform, which will cover ways you are able to:
Save Time and Resources by streamlining your HR processes.
Simplify Compliance - let us navigate the maze of compliance to make things easy for you.
Explore our one-stop resource filled with everything you need to tackle any workplace challenge with total confidence.
Tuesday April 22, 2025
12:00 pm CDT
Employer Webinars: Introduction to Mineral
Keeping your company compliant and employees trained just got easier with Mineral’s Learning Management System (LMS).
Join your Mineral Team for a quick session that will cover the Learning Management System (LMS).
In this fundamentals training session, you will learn how to:
Access the Learning Management System (LMS) and the complete catalog of courses offered by Mineral
Upload your own custom training courses to the LMS
Create the training program that’s most supportive for you & your employees
Wednesday April 30, 2025
11:00 am CDT
Federal: New Version of Form I-9 Released
On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an updated Form I-9. However, employers can continue using the previous versions of the form.
The new Form I-9 has the following changes:
The term “noncitizen” was replaced with “alien”
The term “gender” was replaced with “sex”
A new edition date of 1/20/25
The Form I-9 Instructions also contain similar terminology updates and a revised Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Notice. These changes will also be reflected in E-Verify and E-Verify+ beginning April 3, 2025.
Because use of the new Form I-9 is currently optional, employers don’t need to take any action at this time. The previous Form I-9 versions (both of which have an 8/1/23 edition date) are still valid through their respective expiration dates in 2026 and 2027. Employers that use E-Verify and continue to use the 8/1/23 Form I-9 versions should note that there will be a difference in the language that refers to noncitizens. Specifically, if an employee selects on Form I-9 that they are “a noncitizen authorized to work,” the employer must select “an alien authorized to work” in E-Verify.
For more information, see the USCIS announcement and the updated Form I-9 and Instructions.
“With the right reforms, tools and flexibility, small businesses are uniquely positioned to help American communities get healthier”
On April 16th, 2025, Marcie Strouse, Partner at Capitol Benefits Group, Testified in Congress on Healthcare Cost Affordably. NFIB Encourages Employers to Take Action!
Affordable health care remains a top concern for small business owners. Marcie Strouse testified before Congress and NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations, Josselin Castillo, published an editorial in The Center Square on the cost of providing health insurance and ways Congress can provide relief.
Affordable health care is essential for the success of America’s small businesses. Marcie shared with lawmakers the various ways Congress can provide relief from rising costs. “Small businesses are paying more and getting less. Small firms pay nearly twice as much for health insurance as large businesses. Unlike large corporations, small businesses lack the bargaining power to negotiate lower premiums,” said Josselin Castillo, NFIB Principal Federal Government Relations. It is time for Congress to provide immediate relief for millions of Americans. Urge your elected officials to make health care more accessible and affordable to small business owners.
“For nearly 40 years, the number one concern for small business owners has been the rising cost of health insurance. Today, it’s not just a concern; it’s a crisis. Ninety-eight percent of small business owners fear they will be unable to afford coverage in the next few years,” explained Marcie.
Castillo outlined how the cost of health insurance is unsustainable for small business owners and suggested ways that Congress can deliver relief in a recent op-ed. “Policymakers have an opportunity to deliver relief for small businesses and alleviate the burden small business owners face when it comes to health insurance costs. The first step is protecting employer-sponsored coverage and dramatically increasing affordable and flexible coverage options,” said Castillo.
Learn more about the challenges of the small-group insurance market and what Congress can do to alleviate these pressures from small business owners. If you’re interested in sharing your concern and using your voice, click below to take action on reforming pharmacy costs and pharmacy benefit management practices.
As economic stress takes its toll, MetLife's 23rd annual Employee Benefit Trends Study finds employees are placing greater trust in employers to provide stability and support
Amid social and economic turmoil, employees are turning to their employers for stability and support, while trust outside of the workplace is declining. According to MetLife’s EBTS, 81% of employees hold their employer accountable for building trust at work, while employees overall are 1.5x more likely to trust their employer than other institutions.
With a greater responsibility to build trust also comes a significant opportunity to improve workplace outcomes, as MetLife’s study finds trust, when combined with employee care, has a profound impact. Employees who trust and feel cared for by their employer are more likely to feel holistically healthy (3.8x), engaged (2.4x) and productive (1.9x) than those with either or neither. MetLife’s research shows employers can build trust by fostering a supportive culture and promoting positive benefits experiences, which includes providing employees with opportunities to give feedback and the right tools to choose and use their benefits effectively.
“Our research continues to validate that employers who demonstrate care for their employees see improved workplace health and outcomes,” said Todd Katz, head of Group Benefits at MetLife. “What we’ve newly uncovered this year, given macro challenges, is an opportunity to fortify care by fostering trust. Employers that focus on prioritizing benefit experiences and culture can effectively build high-trust, high-performing workplaces.”
Fostering Trust and Amplifying Care: Key Drivers
Workplaces that promote recognition of achievements, transparent leadership and empathy are more likely to foster trust between employees and employers, MetLife’s report finds. Combining the right mix of benefits with a positive utilization experience is also highly correlated to increased trust and improved outcomes.
Employees who use and have positive experiences with their benefits are:
2.4x more likely to feel holistically healthy
2.1x more likely to trust that their employer will protect them in economic downturns
1.8x more likely to trust their employer’s leadership
“Benefits provide employees with stability and protection in uncertain times, which helps them feel cared for and amplifies trust,” adds Katz. “But as misunderstanding and underutilization of benefits persists, MetLife is helping employers deliver experiences that empower employees with greater confidence in their ability to choose, use and unlock the full potential of their benefits.”
Employers can enhance benefits experiences by optimizing communication strategies, providing personalized guidance, and consistently engaging employees to support year-round utilization.
To watch a full overview of this year’s study by MetLife, watch HERE. A full copy of this year’s report is also available HERE.