Paid Sick Leave for All Virginians? Breaking Down HB5
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
Release Date: 12/18/2025
Benefits Industry Predictions for 2026
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, principal financial advisor at CAPTRUST, to discuss key benefits industry trends expected in 2026. They examine anticipated Department of Labor rulemaking, evolving fiduciary obligations, ERISA litigation trends and the growing focus on participant outcomes. The conversation offers practical insights to help employers, benefits administrators and plan fiduciaries prepare for the year ahead.
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Voluntary Benefits and the Rising Risk for Employers
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
In this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt sits down with Amy Hollis, CEO of Employees First, for a candid and eye-opening conversation about voluntary benefits—an area with associated risk many employers offer but few truly understand. Brydon and Amy pull back the curtain on what actually happens to employees’ premium dollars once they leave the paycheck, why voluntary benefits often carry significantly higher broker commissions, and how these behind-the-scenes mechanics impact cost, value and transparency for employers and employees alike. Editor’s...
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Paid Sick Leave for All Virginians? Breaking Down HB5
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Matt Anderson, a partner in Williams Mullen’s Labor, Employment and Immigration Section, about a proposed Virginia bill that would significantly expand paid sick leave rights for employees across the Commonwealth. They’ll discuss a brief history of Virginia’s paid sick leave law, details of House Bill No. 5 (HB5) and its potential impact for employers.
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Private Markets, Public Plans: What Sponsors Need to Know
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Sarah Parker of SageView Advisory Group about the growing interest in private markets within defined contribution retirement plans. They explore what “private markets” really mean, why more plan sponsors are considering them, and how these investments could impact participants’ long-term outcomes. Whether you’re a plan sponsor, fiduciary, or benefits professional, this episode offers insights into the opportunities and complexities of integrating private markets into defined contribution plans.
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Balancing Benefits: GLP-1s and Workforce Well-Being
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Caroline Susie of MercerWELL about the rise of GLP-1 medications. They discuss how these drugs work, why they’re transforming weight loss, and the tough questions employers face—from whether to cover them, to managing costs, to what else is needed to best support a healthier workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, benefits administrator, or simply curious about the changing landscape of employee health, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating one of the most pressing topics in workforce benefits today.
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Alternative Investments in 401(k)s: Risk, Rules & Reality
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
With growing interest in alternative investments—from private equity and digital assets to ESG—defined contribution plan sponsors face both fresh opportunities and heightened scrutiny. In this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, Brydon DeWitt is joined by Beryl Ball, Principal Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, to explore how plan sponsors can assess these emerging asset classes, weigh participant demand, and use tools such as self-directed brokerage windows. They also examine the implications of President Trump’s August 7, 2025, executive order, which directs the Department...
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Cost, Care, and Captives: A Mid-Size Employer’s Guide to Benefit Trends
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Christian Mosier, president of BenX Consulting Group, to explore what’s really driving benefit strategy for midsize employers heading into 2026. We’ll explore the rising interest in self-funding and group captives, as well as the growing demand for pharmacy benefit transparency, especially in the wake of high-cost drugs. Plus, we’ll talk about how benefits—like mental health support, PTO, and even contribution strategy—are becoming critical retention tools in a competitive labor market.
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ESOPs Explained
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
Thinking about succession planning, employee engagement, or selling your business? On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt is joined by Nona Massengill, a partner focusing on Executive Compensation. Nona demystifies Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) from a business owner’s perspective. She breaks down what an ESOP is (and what it’s not), who can implement one, and how these plans can create meaningful tax advantages and culture-building opportunities for companies taxed as corporations.
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Gag Clause Prohibitions
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses prohibitive gag clauses under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). While intended to promote transparency, not all gag clauses are obvious. With new guidance from the Department of Labor now in effect, what exactly must plan administrators do to comply? From identifying problematic provisions to submitting the required attestations, we break down the practical and legal implications of this evolving compliance requirement.
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Forfeitures Under Fire
Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt unpacks the growing legal controversy surrounding the use of forfeitures in retirement plans. With numerous lawsuits recently filed, plan sponsors and administrators are facing heightened scrutiny—and potential liability—over how forfeited funds are handled. We’ll discuss the evolving guidance from the Department of Labor, and what these lawsuits could mean for your fiduciary responsibilities.
info_outlineOn this episode of Williams Mullen’s Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt talks with Matt Anderson, a partner in Williams Mullen’s Labor, Employment and Immigration Section, about a proposed Virginia bill that would significantly expand paid sick leave rights for employees across the Commonwealth. They’ll discuss a brief history of Virginia’s paid sick leave law, details of House Bill No. 5 (HB5) and its potential impact for employers.