Expand your Repertoire:

Here are a few reads I found interesting.

Industry Reports (You may have to provide contact info).

• MMA: 2026 Employee Health & Benefits Trends

• USI: 2026 Employee Benefits Market Outlook

• Hays: 2026 Salary and Hiring Guide

Articles & What Not

• W@W: Report Results Smack of ‘Peanut Butter’ Pay Raise Approach for 2026

• W@W: Alignment, Market Comp Are TR Leaders’ Top 2026 Priorities

• Video Podcast by Justin Hampton: Should Comp Care about Cost of Living?

• Feb 28 – Form 5500 filing deadlines for some retirement plans

• Mar 1 – Medicare Part D creditable coverage disclosures due

• Mar 2 – Distribute ACA Forms 1095‑C/B to employees

• Mar 2 – File ACA 1094/1095 forms with IRS (paper)

• Mar 16 – Corrective distributions for failed ADP/ACP tests (EACA plans)

• Mar 31 – Electronic ACA filing deadline for 1094/1095 forms

• Apr 15 – Q1 estimated tax payments due

• Apr 15 – Corrective distributions for excess deferrals (IRC §402(g))

• Apr 30 – Form 941 (Q1 payroll tax) due

• Apr 30 – Form 940 (FUTA) due if liability > $500

• Apr 30 – OSHA Form 300A posting period ends

• May 15 – Recommended mid-year compliance audit

• May 31 – Deadline to request extensions (e.g., Form 8809 for filings)

Capriccio HR is dedicated to helping clients elevate employee experience by providing exceptional strategic Total Rewards consulting and project management. We will deliver services tailored to your organizations business goals and people culture.

Visit us at www.capricciohr.com

➡ACROSS

2. Ret: The plan’s lead conductors — legally required to play in participants’ best interest (Person legally bound to act in the plan's interest)

7. Ben: The monthly subscription fee that keeps your coverage on tour (The recurring amount paid to keep a policy active)

8. Comp: The chart-topping numbers you must hit to unlock bonus applause (Minimum target required to earn an incentive)

9. Comp/Ret: Your ownership track on the company’s greatest hits album (Share of ownership in a corporation)

11. Comp: The market playlist HR streams to set competitive pay (Statistical information used to set pay levels)

12. Comp: A one-time cash encore for strong performance (A lump-sum payment given for performance)

13. Ben: Insurance coverage for your backstage pets (Insurance benefit for an employee's domestic animals)

15. Ben: The financial love song that protects your family after the final curtain (Insurance providing a payout to beneficiaries upon death)

17. Ret: Remixing your retirement by borrowing from your own balance (Borrowing money from your own account balance)

18. Ret: When the employer adds harmony to your retirement savings (Employer funds added to mirror employee savings)

⬇ DOWN

1. Comp: Turning last year’s pay data into today’s hit single (Method of adjusting past market pay data to reflect current salary trends)

3. Ben: The small cover charge you pay at the doctor’s office (A fixed fee paid at the time of a doctor’s visit)

4. Comp: A performance-based pay raise that earns a standing ovation (A permanent increase based on performance)

5. Ret: The compliance soundcheck of a retirement plan (Formal inspection of plan records by the government or a third party)

6. Ben: Coverage that can go on tour with you when you leave the band (A benefit an employee can keep after leaving the company)

10. Comp: The volume knob that sets the max pay level (A maximum limit on salary or incentive)

14. Ben: A coverage tier — like choosing premium seating (A level of coverage or a category of drug costs)

16. Ret: A retirement plan where qualified withdrawals are tax-free — no tax encore (Plan type where withdrawals are tax-free)