President Trump Signs Stimulus Package Overview
December 29, 2020
President Trump Signs Stimulus Package, Overview

Recently, President Trump signed into law the new COVID-19 fiscal relief package. The package and its 5,000 plus pages are clearly too lengthy to go through in this format, but below are some bullets providing a 30,000-foot overview of the key provisions of the law and the areas affected:


Unemployment

  • Includes requirement for applicants to provide documentation of employment (not just self-certification as is currently the case) and requires states to verify applicant identity. Also includes Return-to-Work reporting requirements states to have a mechanism for employers to report when someone turns down a job and notifying claimants of the requirement to accept suitable work.
  • Additional federal $300 per week add-on from Dec. 26 through April 5, with an application deadline of March 14.
  • Extends federal funding of 50% of the cost for reimbursable employers until March 14. 
  • Extends and phases out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to April 5, with an application deadline of March 14.
  • Extends and phases out Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides additional weeks when state unemployment runs out, to April 5.


Stimulus Checks

  • $600 Stimulus Checks/Payments per eligible individual, including dependent children.
  • Stimulus Checks begins to phase out for individuals with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $75,000, $112,500 for head of household, and $150,000 for married filing jointly.
  • Ineligible individuals are nonresident aliens and adult dependents.
  • Retroactively fixes the “mixed status” issue from CARES where a resident is married to a nonresident alien. 


Paid Leave:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) tax credits for paid leave are extended through March 31, 2021. However, the mandate to provide paid leave is not extended.

  • Allows self-employed individuals to use the prior year’s earnings for determining paid leave amount COVID Tax Provisions.
  • New York State’s Quarantine Leave Law, which requires that New York Employers provide job-protected sick leave to employees who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation, does NOT expire at the end of the year.
  • Employers should still consider the DOL’s past guidance on the FFCRA while determining how to comply with the new legislation until additional information is released. Additionally, it is critical that employers update their existing FFCRA leave forms to take into consideration the changes. Since employees are not eligible to receive more leave than was provided through the FFCRA, employers must ensure they keep accurate records to reflect leave provided for all employees.


Support for Small Business and Farmers


 Payroll Protection Program Modifications: additional $284.45 billion in funding

  • Extends covered period through March 31, 2021.
  • Clarifies that business expenses paid for with forgiven PPP funds remain deductible.
  • Simplifies the Loan forgiveness process for borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less. 
  • Expands the forgivable expenses to include supplier costs and investments in facility modifications and personal protective equipment required to operate safely.
  • Enhances borrower flexibility by allowing borrowers to select their loan forgiveness covered period between 8 weeks and 24 weeks.
  • Allows PPP borrowers to include additional group insurance payments when calculating their PPP payroll costs. Covering insurance plans such as vision, dental, disability and life insurance.
  • Establishes the loan amount calculation for farmers and ranchers to align more accurately with recent years’ income.
  • Expands PPP eligibility for certain 501(c)(6) nonprofits and Destination Marketing Organizations with 300 or fewer employees that do not receive more than 15% of their revenue from lobbying.
  • Allows forgiveness for PPP loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), emergency advance grants, preventing small business owners from being left with unexpected PPP loan balances.


Second round of PPP for businesses with 300 or fewer employees and a 25% revenue loss.

  • Max loan of 2.5X average monthly payroll up to $2 million.
  • Accommodations and Food Services may receive a loan up to 3.5X average monthly payroll.

 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans:

Additional $20 billion for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance program

 

Agriculture ($13 billion)

  • $1.5B to purchase food and agriculture products and distribute to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
  • Allows United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a dairy recourse loan program to make purchases of dairy products from processors, packagers, merchants, marketers, wholesalers, and distributors.
  • $100M for Specialty Crop Block Grants.
  • Supports supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage support. Includes $400M to support dairy donations to non-profit entities like food banks.


Employee Retention Tax Credit expanded and extended through June 30, 2021

  • Credit rate increased from 50% to 70% of qualified wages.
  • Increases the limit on per-employee creditable wages from $10,000 for the year to $10,000 for each quarter.
  • Eligibility expansions
  • Reduction in the required year-over-year gross receipts decline from 50% to 20%, including a safe harbor allowing employers to use prior quarter gross receipts to determine eligibility.
  • Increase in the 100-employee delineation for determining the relevant qualified wage base to employers with 500 or fewer employees.
  • Allows certain public instrumentalities to claim the credit.
  • Removes the 30-day wage limitation, allowing employers to, for example, claim the credit for bonus pay to essential workers; Allows businesses with 500 or fewer employees to advance the credit at any point during the quarter based on wages paid in the same quarter in a previous year.
  • Provides rules to allow new employers who were not in existence for all or part of 2019 to be able to claim the credit; and
  • Provides that employers who receive PPP loans may still qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) with respect to wages that are not paid for with forgiven PPP proceeds.

 

Financial Services

  • Includes an explicit “hold harmless” provision for PPP lenders.
  • Provides for PPP lender reimbursement by SBA for new PPP loans.
  • Loans of less than $50,000 that is equal to the lesser of 50% of the loan principal or $2,500. 
  • Loans of more than $50,000 and not more than $350,000 equal to 5% of the loan principal. 
  • Loans of more than $350,000 and less than $2,00,000 equal to 3% of the loan principal; and
  • Loans of more than $2,000,000 equal to 1%.
  • Clarifies lender reimbursement by SBA shall be made no later than 5 days post-disbursement.
  • Extends exemption from compliance with the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) accounting standard for an additional year, through January 1, 2022. 
  • Extends enhancement of the National Credit Union Administration’s (NCUA’s) Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) by temporarily increasing the CLF’s maximum legal borrowing authority and allowing more credit unions to borrow from the CLF. Access to this facility for an additional year, through December 31, 2021.
  • Extends the temporary suspension of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requirements for the Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR) classifications on loans for an additional year, to January 1, 2022.

 

Rental Assistance

  • $25 billion for states, territories, tribes, and large cities to assist renters. Grantees are able to use funds to provide direct financial assistance or housing stability services to eligible households. 
  • Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional 3 months if necessary, to ensure housing stability. Grantees can only commit to assistance in 3-month increments, after which point any household deemed to be eligible to receive the funds, must re-apply. 
  • An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household that meets the following criteria:
  • Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship related to COVID-19.
  • Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  • Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the median income of the area.
  • An application for rental assistance may be made directly to a grantee by either an eligible household or by a landlord on behalf of that eligible household. In general, grantees will provide funds directly to landlords and/or utility service providers. If a landlord does not wish to participate, the grantee may provide funds directly to the eligible household.
  • Extends the eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through January 31, 2021.

 

Airline Employees and Contractors:

  • $16B for the Payroll Support Program
  • Other Tax Provisions
  • Lower excise taxes for breweries, wineries, and distilleries made permanent
  • New Markets Tax Credit extended for 5 years
  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit extended for 5 years

 

Support for Infrastructure

 

Transportation: ($43 billion) 

  • $10B for Highway Infrastructure programs including $9.8 for Surface Transportation Block Grants to states
  • $14B in Transit Infrastructure Grants ($13.3B urban, $679M non-urban)
  • $2B in grants-in-aid for airports
  • $1B for Amtrak

 

Broadband:

$7 billion for high-speed broadband projects.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to SimcoHR.


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January 7, 2026
At Simco Insurance & Wealth Management, 2025 was a year defined by refinement. Rather than chasing growth for growth’s sake, our focus was on designing better systems, improving the rhythm of our work, and removing friction from the moments that matter most to our clients. Every adjustment was made with one priority in mind: creating an experience that feels organized, responsive, and genuinely supportive for the individuals and families we serve. This recap highlights the operational progress and strategic shifts that shaped our year. For our clients, these efforts show up as clearer communication, smoother appointments, and more confident guidance. For those getting to know Simco Insurance & Wealth Management for the first time, it offers a look at how we’re intentionally preparing our team, tools, and processes to meet rising expectations with care and consistency. Designing Retention With Intention One of the most meaningful accomplishments this year was the development of an automated retention process focused on high-impact client touchpoints. By taking a closer look at recurring needs and communication patterns, the team built a system that strengthens relationships while reducing dependence on manual follow-up. This structure helps ensure consistency and follow-through, even during our busiest periods. As a result, we’re able to stay more connected, responsive, and proactive, reinforcing trust and delivering a more reliable client experience. A More Strategic Approach to AEP Planning Preparation for the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) 2026 began earlier and more strategically than ever before. In September, the team launched a strategic early booking initiative, starting one full month ahead of the industry norm. The goal was twofold: maximize retention of existing clients while preserving capacity to support new business. The outcome exceeded expectations. More than 75% of existing clients were booked before AEP officially began , creating breathing room, reducing pressure, and allowing agents to focus fully on each client interaction. Just as importantly, this initiative produced a measurable, repeatable system that can be refined and reused for future AEP cycles. Visibility That Drives Accountability To support better planning and performance, the team developed a Book of Business Tracker that provides real-time visibility into client retention and new enrollments. This tool created clearer accountability for agent performance while also improving forecasting and decision-making throughout AEP. With better data came better conversations, better pacing, and more confident leadership. Communication and Automation That Protect Relationships Clear, timely communication is essential during periods of change. In 2025, the team produced and automated targeted emails for clients losing their plans, ensuring they were informed early and guided through next steps. These systems helped protect client relationships, reduce uncertainty, and reinforce Simco’s reputation for calm, proactive service, even in complex or time-sensitive situations. Reimagining the Client Appointment Experience Much of the year’s progress focused on improving the flow and efficiency of daily client interactions. The scheduling process was redesigned to eliminate bottlenecks, overlapping appointments, and unnecessary delays. The result was a smoother daily rhythm, shorter wait times, and a noticeably calmer office environment. Additional improvements included: Creating cubicle-based laptops to help clients complete CareValue forms efficiently Developing confirmation emails with embedded surveys so clients can submit doctors and medications in advance Tracking visits versus enrollments to ensure clients move fully through the process Together, these enhancements cut average appointment time by 50% , effectively doubling agent capacity while preserving quality and care. Strengthening Data Accuracy and Operational Support Behind the scenes, the team focused on maintaining clean, reliable data by entering missing client information and policy details on behalf of agents when needed. Repetitive processes were streamlined through automation and shared resources, reducing friction and freeing agents to focus on client relationships rather than administrative tasks. Every workflow was designed with scalability in mind: systems that can be replicated, measured, and improved year after year. Working on the Business, Not Just in It Throughout 2025, the Simco Insurance & Wealth Management team embraced the Traction principle of working on the business, not just in it. Continuous improvement, team empowerment, and thoughtful system design guided every decision. Each change reinforced Simco’s Core Values and Vision, ensuring that every client touchpoint reflects consistency, clarity, and care. Our Path Forward Into 2026 The work completed this year has created a stronger foundation for what’s next. With smarter systems, clearer data, and a more intentional client experience, we are positioned to serve individuals and families with even greater confidence in 2026 and beyond at Simco I&WM. Thank you to our clients for your trust, and to our team for the dedication and care that made this progress possible. We’re so proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited about where we’re headed! This year-in-review report was developed by Shena Edington-Bright, Team Lead at Simco Insurance & Wealth Management.
January 5, 2026
As the business landscape continues to evolve, so does Simco. While 2025 may have looked like a year of quiet focus from the outside, it was anything but. Behind the scenes, our teams were strengthening the systems and structures that support our HCM / payroll, benefits, HR, retirement, and commercial insurance services, all with one goal in mind: to deliver a smoother, more dependable, and more proactive client experience. This recap offers a high-level look at what we’ve been building. If you're part of our existing client community, you’ll see how these investments enhance the service you receive every day. And for prospective partners and the broader market, consider this a window into how Simco is evolving to meet the growing expectations of the modern employer. A Stronger Foundation for the Future Much of our work throughout 2025 focused on reinforcing the operational backbone of Simco: the processes, tools, and training that enable our teams to support clients with consistency and confidence. We refined and standardized the core elements of our service model, including: Onboarding processes: creating a smoother, more predictable start for new clients by clarifying steps, responsibilities, timelines, and handoffs, ensuring everyone begins their Simco partnership with full visibility and support. Day-to-day service workflows: enhancing how requests are managed, tracked, and communicated so that clients experience faster responses, fewer delays, and a more proactive approach to problem-solving. Renewal experiences across multiple service lines: strengthening the structure behind annual renewals so they are more organized, timely, and transparent, with clearer communication and better preparation on both sides. By strengthening the infrastructure that supports every client interaction, we’re ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of quality. Communication That Sets Clear Expectations One of the most meaningful shifts this year came from improving the clarity and cadence of communication. Whether you're a current Simco client or exploring us as a potential partner, you’ll see a growing emphasis on: Setting expectations early: ensuring clients understand timelines, responsibilities, next steps, and key milestones upfront so there’s no confusion as projects or service requests move forward. Addressing issues proactively: identifying potential challenges before they surface, communicating them quickly, and offering solutions early to prevent disruptions. Creating more transparency in every interaction: providing clearer insights into processes, status updates, and decision-making so clients always know where things stand and what’s happening behind the scenes. This work helps eliminate surprises and creates a smoother, more predictable experience. Technology That Makes Service Smarter 2025 also brought strategic technology upgrades designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility. Some key milestones include: Expanded use of integrations and automations across platforms like isolved Enhanced reporting and improved data accuracy New tools to support onboarding, renewals, and Open Enrollment The build-out of our new CRM, rolling out to employees in January 2026 For our existing clients: this CRM will evolve into a client-facing portal, giving you clearer insight into service activity and easier access to support without compromising security or simplicity. This investment underscores our long-term commitment to transparency and service innovation. A More Coordinated Open Enrollment Season The Simco Benefits Team completed Open Enrollment two weeks faster than the previous year, thanks to strengthened planning, better communication, and tighter internal coordination. This improvement reflects our broader goal: to create processes that scale with growing demand while remaining predictable and client-centered. A Strategic Shift: Separating Our B2B and B2C Divisions In 2025, we completed the structural separation of our consumer-facing services, Simco Insurance & Wealth Management, from our core B2B operations. This was not simply an internal reorganization, but a strategic step toward honoring the very real differences between the needs of businesses and the needs of individuals and families. Employers require scalable systems, predictable processes, and deep operational support. Individuals, on the other hand, seek personalized guidance, protection, and long-term financial clarity. By creating space for each division to develop independently, we positioned both sides of our organization to serve their audiences with greater intention and expertise. As our service offerings have expanded, so has the complexity of the problems we solve. The separation enables our B2B team to focus fully on the demands of an employer environment, including compliance, data accuracy, HR workflows, benefits strategy, service scalability, and beyond. At the same time, the B2C division can continue developing its advisory capabilities, client education tools, and one-to-one support models. Both sides continue to share the same core values, high standards, and service philosophy, but each now has the room to innovate in ways that make the most sense for the communities they serve. We want to ensure that whether you’re engaging with Simco as an employer, or with Simco Insurance & Wealth Management as an individual or family, you’re connected to a team built specifically for your needs without losing the warmth, consistency, or integrity that define the Simco brand. Growing Without Losing What Makes Us, Us 2025 was a year of meaningful expansion for Simco through new partnerships and client relationships. But growth alone isn’t the metric we celebrate, it’s sustainable growth. Behind the scenes, we focused on building structure and scalability so that every new relationship receives the same level of attention and consistency our long-standing clients expect from us. What This Means for Those We Serve Whether you're already part of the Simco family or seeing us for the first time, here’s what our 2025 investments translate to: More consistency in how we serve Greater proactivity in identifying and addressing issues Enhanced accuracy and efficiency throughout every process Improved capacity to support continued growth and complexity A stronger, smarter foundation for the years ahead To our current clients: thank you for trusting us with your business. Everything we built this year was designed to enhance the experience you rely on. To those learning about Simco for the first time: consider this a preview of the service structure we believe all employers should expect, both today and in the future. Looking Ahead to 2026 We’re entering the new year with momentum, clarity, and a renewed commitment to continuous improvement. The work we completed in 2025 positions us to deliver an even more streamlined, transparent, and dependable experience in 2026 and beyond. Thank you for being part of our journey and for giving us the opportunity to support yours. This year-in-review report was developed by Elisha Everson, Director of Operations at Simco.
November 20, 2025
The IRS recently announced the updated retirement plan contribution limits for 2026, reflecting cost-of-living adjustments and new guidance under the SECURE 2.0 Act. Whether you’re an employer managing a company plan or an employee planning for your future, these changes are important to understand so you can make the most of your retirement savings. Key Increases for 2026 Some of the most notable updates for defined contribution plans, including 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, are summarized in the chart below: 

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