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Navigating the Shift: What PENN Entertainment Employees Need to Know About Upcoming Financial Aid Changes

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for PENN Entertainment PENN Entertainment primarily offers health insurance plans through its partnership with UnitedHealthcare, among other options, to provide a range of healthcare benefits for its employees. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we approach 2026, healthcare costs for PENN Entertainment employees are poised to rise significantly, driven by anticipated record increases in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums. Analysts expect average premium hikes to exceed 19% nationally, with some states reporting increases up to 66%. The looming expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies could exacerbate these increases, potentially raising out-of-pocket costs for employees by 75% or more. As companies navigate these challenges, it may be imperative for employees to evaluate their health coverage options carefully and consider proactive measures to mitigate the anticipated financial impact. Click here to learn more

The U.S. Department of Education has designated February as Financial Aid Awareness Month, and this year there's a lot to talk about. On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, another relief package in response to the pandemic. Included in the bill were several provisions related to education, including many changes to financial aid. Here are some key highlights.

Money for Education
In total, the bill provides $82 billion for education, including $22.7 billion for colleges and universities. Colleges must use some of those funds to provide emergency financial help to students who have been affected by the pandemic. This is likely left to the discretion of each school's financial aid office.

Despite the cash infusion to colleges, the amount is far short of the $120 billion that college advocates said they needed to deal with the dual headwinds of rising expenses and falling revenue. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, stated: '[T]he situation currently facing America's colleges and universities is a crisis of almost unimaginable magnitude....The money provided in this bill will provide some limited relief, which is welcome news to struggling students and institutions. But it is not going to be nearly enough in the long run or even the medium term.'

Simplified FAFSA for 2023-2024 School Year
The relief package included a smaller bill called the FAFSA Simplification Act, which accomplishes the long-held bipartisan objective of simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. These changes will take effect starting on July 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. Here are some of the more significant changes.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA that will include these changes will be available to file beginning October 1, 2022. This will give the U.S. Department of Education time to implement the changes. The 2022-2023 FAFSA, which will be available to file on October 1, 2021, will follow the current definitions and rules.

Employer help with student loan repayment starting in 2021
The bill extends a provision allowing PENN Entertainment employees to pay up to $5,250 of employees' student loans per year on a tax-free basis for another five years. This provision, included in the Consolidated Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, would have expired at the end of 2020.

Expanded Lifetime Learning credit starting in 2021
Beyond financial aid, the relief bill increases the income limits necessary to qualify for the Lifetime Learning credit, an education tax credit worth up to $2,000 per year for courses taken throughout one's lifetime to acquire or improve job skills.

Starting in 2021, a full credit will be available to single-filer PENN Entertainment employees with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below $80,000 and joint filers with a MAGI below $160,000 (the credit phases out for single filers with incomes between $80,000 and $90,000 and joint filers with incomes between $160,000 and $180,000). These are the same income limits used for the American Opportunity credit. To accommodate an expanded Lifetime Learning credit, Congress repealed the deduction for qualified college tuition and fees for 2021 and beyond.

For more information
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, contains other provisions that affect the FAFSA, making Financial Aid Awareness Month even more important this year. For more information on the FAFSA for PENN Entertainment employees, along with news and updates, visit the official FAFSA website.

What types of retirement plans does PENN Entertainment offer to its employees?

PENN Entertainment offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

How can employees at PENN Entertainment enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Does PENN Entertainment match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, PENN Entertainment offers a matching contribution program for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.

Can employees at PENN Entertainment take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, PENN Entertainment allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's rules and limits.

What investment options are available in the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan?

The PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

Is there a vesting schedule for employer contributions in the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan?

Yes, there is a vesting schedule for employer contributions in the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan, which determines when employees fully own those contributions.

How often can employees at PENN Entertainment change their 401(k) contribution amounts?

Employees at PENN Entertainment can change their 401(k) contribution amounts at designated times throughout the year, as specified in the plan guidelines.

What happens to my PENN Entertainment 401(k) if I leave the company?

If you leave PENN Entertainment, you have several options for your 401(k), including rolling it over to another retirement account, cashing it out, or leaving it in the PENN Entertainment plan if permitted.

Are there any fees associated with the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be fees associated with the PENN Entertainment 401(k) plan, which can include administrative fees and investment management fees.

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