Medicare and Social Security Age Differences

Tom KennedyMedicare

If you are turning 65 in the near future and considering enrollment in Social Security and Medicare, you should be aware of their distinct age differences. There is a lot of confusion now between the enrollment ages for both programs, and it has left many people wondering what they should do with Medicare. In fact, “Time Magazine” reported Social Security experts are still unclear about the new law. Social Security age changes The Social Security landscape has changed significantly in recent years. According to the National Academy of Social Science, the full benefit age for Social Security eligibility is now 66 for people born between 1943 to 1954. However, the age will eventually increase to 67 for people born after …

Medical Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania

Lisa YelovichHuman Resources, Insurance, News

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act was signed by Governor Wolf on April 17, 2016, leaving employers with more questions than answers about employee use of medical marijuana. Key points of the Act note that those who are prescribed medical marijuana must have one of 17 designated “serious medical conditions” as diagnosed by a Department of Health (DOH) registered physician. First, the patient must obtain a certificate from a DOH-registered physician. They then receive an ID card from the DOH, and their name is placed in the state database. The patient is then able to get medical marijuana from a designated dispensary in their area. There are several forms of medical marijuana for patient use. These includes pill, oil, tincture or …

Stand-Up For Grain Engulfment Prevention

Courtney MeyerAgribusiness

Suffocation from engulfment is a leading cause of death in grain bins. Engulfment is one of the leading types of fatalities inside a grain bin; however, there are numerous OSHA and industry resources available to assist in preventing future incidents. Stand-Up for Grain Engulfment Prevention is a way of reaching out to employers and workers to get them involved in improving worker protection, reducing injuries, and preventing fatalities from engulfment. Check out “What is a Safety Stand-Down” for more information.

IRS Reduces HSA Limit for Family Coverage for 2018

Matt PfeiffenbergerLarge Group Benefits (100+), News

The IRS issued a new revenue procedure regarding health savings account (HSA) limits. The new tax laws had a provision in it which was not formally enacted until just recently. The new revenue procedure now puts the change into effect. Basically the ruling reduces the HSA family maximum contribution for 2018 from $6,900 to $6,850 retroactive to January 1, 2018. Employers with HSAs will need to check to see if employees elected the $6,900 maximum for 2018, and in effect cut that back to $6,850. The new $6,850 max is a combination of any employee and employer contributions into the employee’s HSA for 2018. You can read more about the change below. Questons can be directed to Matt Pfeiffenberger, Vice President, …

Farm Bureau Calls for Clarity on Exemptions for Agricultural Haulers

Courtney MeyerAgribusiness

While again urging the Department of Transportation to grant agricultural haulers a waiver and limited exemption from the electronic logging device mandate, Farm Bureau in recent comments responded to the department’s efforts to provide clarity to the 150-air mile agricultural commodity exemption and the hours of service regulations. Read about the 150-air mile agricultural commodity exemption here>>>

Accidental Deaths In Pennsylvania Rise 15% in One Year, Driven By Opioid Overdose

Denise GillinNews

The National Safety Council’s Stop Everyday Killers campaign is a powerful tribute to the lives lost to opioids. Pittsburgh – According to National Safety Council analysis of federal data, 1,086 more Pennsylvanians died accidentally in 2016, an increase of 15% over 2015, and 78% of those deaths were caused by opioid overdose. In response to the epidemic – recently declared a statewide disaster emergency by Gov. Tom Wolf – the Council made Pittsburgh its first stop on a nationwide tour of the NSC exhibit, Prescribed to Death: A Memorial to the Victims of the Opioid Crisis. Read more >>> Everyone has a story of how addiction has touched their life. That is why Murray Associates chose to partner with Compass …

Construction Braces For Trump’s New Aluminum, Steel Tariffs

Denise GillinConstruction, News

Article by Kim Slowey for “ConstructionDive” High-rises, large residential multifamily projects and infrastructure projects are major buyers of steel and aluminum. Construction companies are likely to begin bracing for a wave of cost increases and the possibility of having to decide whether certain developments are now too expensive to build. Read the article >>>

Trump Considers Private Activity Bonds to Help Address Infrastructure Costs

Joshua EtemadiBonds, Construction

By Ballard Spahr for “JDSUPRA” The White House released a 53-page framework on Tuesday setting forth its legislative goals for rebuilding America’s infrastructure (the Infrastructure Plan). The Infrastructure Plan is intended “to lead to at least $1.5 trillion in investments to rebuild our failing infrastructure and develop innovative projects” through $200 billion in federal funding to promote state and local governmental and private sector investment over the next 10 years. This would largely shift funding for infrastructure away from the federal government to state, local and private sector funding sources. Read the article >>>

Drones With Thermal Sensors Can Detect Hot Spots, Delamination, Moisture Instrusion, Spalling

Joshua EtemadiBonds, Construction

In the U.S., commercial drone use has accelerated across many industries. In the last two years, one million new pilots have registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, and by 2020, experts expect seven million drones to be in use. The 2017 Drone Market Sector Report found that construction (design, building inspection or monitoring) is in the top three uses for commercial drone-based services, behind aerial photography, surveying and mapping, and geographic information systems (GIS). The number of construction and engineering companies using drones is expected to continue to grow, as use cases emerge that offer further business value and competitive advantage for companies with drone programs. Read more here >>>