States reported that 190,000 workers filed for new unemployment benefits during the week ending Jan. 14, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised level. Weekly jobless claims are at their lowest level since late September 2022. The number of workers continuing to claim unemployment benefits—1.64 million—is below pre-pandemic levels. Read more.

A florist arranges delicate cherry blossom branches in a large black vase in a building's lobby, while another positions red blooms in a white vessel. Workers hang greenery around hallway entrances, creating the illusion of arbors, as others unload bottles of Courvoisier cognac and Auchentoshan scotch onto a bar. Beam Suntory Inc. was bustling last October as the liquor company prepared to unveil its new Manhattan headquarters. Read more.

Job openings fell by about 50,000 to 10.45 million in November 2022, according to the monthly JOLTS report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the labor gap is slowly contracting, openings are still historically high and outnumber unemployed workers by about 4.4 million. Read more.

States reported that 216,000 workers filed for new unemployment benefits during the week ending Dec. 17, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The number of workers continuing to claim unemployment benefits—1.67 million—has been steadily rising through the year and is now just under the pre-pandemic average of 1.7 million. The number of recurring applications for unemployment benefits is at its highest level since early this year, suggesting that laid-off workers may be having more trouble finding new jobs. Read more.

Big changes are ahead for the U.S. retirement system that will shape how employers offer benefits and how employees save for their post-work years.

A range of retirement provisions—known as Secure 2.0—are included in the $1.7 trillion government spending bill for 2023, which was released Dec. 20. Approval by the Senate and the House is expected by the week's end.

Some of those provisions include requiring automatic 401(k) enrollment, broadening employer 401(k) match options, and helping employees build and access emergency savings plans. Read more.

Set yourself up for success in 2023 with access to SHRM's invaluable resources. By joining for 2 or 3 years now you'll lock in — at the current rate before membership dues increase in February.

• 1-Year Membership: $229, increasing to $244 Feb. 1
  
• 2-Year Membership: $413, increasing to $439 Feb. 1
• 3-Year Membership: $585, increasing to $622 Feb. 1

The coronavirus pandemic was an ugly reminder of just how hard it is to predict and prepare for the future. Yet that doesn’t mean HR leaders shouldn’t think ahead, especially when there are some absolutes. Older workers are retiring, and the digital revolution continues. It’s not too soon to start thinking ahead to the next decade. Here are six predictions for 2030 and how to prepare for them. Read more.

States reported that 230,000 workers filed for new unemployment benefits during the week ending Dec. 3, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The number of workers continuing to claim unemployment benefits—1.67 million— has been steadily rising through the year but is still below the pre-pandemic average of 1.7 million. Recurring applications for unemployment benefits is at its highest level since February, suggesting that laid-off workers are having more trouble finding a new job in a cooling labor market. Read more.

Employee 401(k) contributions for 2023 will top off at $22,500—a $2,000 increase from the $20,500 cap for 2022—the IRS announced on Oct. 21. Plan participants age 50 or older next year can contribute an additional $7,500, up $1,000 from 2022.

Inflation is at its highest level since 401(k) annual indexing began, causing 7 percent to 11 percent increases for most 2023 contribution limits. The annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) from the third quarter of 2021 to the third quarter of 2022. Read more.

Employees can put an extra $200 into their health care flexible spending accounts (health FSAs) next year, the IRS announced on Oct. 18, as the annual contribution limit rises to $3,050, up from $2,850 in 2022. The increase is double the $100 rise from 2021 to 2022 and reflects recent inflation. 

If the employer's plan permits the carryover of unused health FSA amounts, the maximum carryover amount rises to $610, up from $570. Read more.