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DOL Penalties for 2026

By February 18, 2026February 19th, 2026Blog, Business Insurance, Employee Benefits

The Department of Labor (DOL) has published the annual adjustments that increase certain penalties applicable to employee benefit plans. Although the penalties for 2026 remain largely unchanged, it is important for employers of all sizes to comply with these adjustments to avoid costly fines.

When you place your benefits with Mackoul, we will provide many of these documents at no charge.

Annual Penalties for 2026

The following updated penalties are some of the items applicable to health and welfare plans subject to ERISA:

Employer Action

Private employers, including non-profits, should ensure employees receive required notices (SBC, CHIP, SPD, etc.) in a timely manner to prevent civil penalty assessments. In addition, employers should ensure Form 5500s are properly and timely filed, if applicable. Finally, employers facing document requests from EBSA should ensure that documents are provided in a timely manner, as requested.

For more information, please contact Rebecca anytime, and click here for a free download of the 2026 Penalty Adjustments.

This is not intended to interpret laws or regulations or to address specific client situations. You should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an attorney or tax professional.
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