Lockton Companies, the world’s largest independent insurance brokerage firm, has appointed Beth Latchana as Director of Compliance Services.
Within this role, she will lead Lockton’s expert team of attorneys who assist clients in navigating the increasingly complex benefits compliance landscape.
Latchana is a seasoned expert in all areas of employee benefits compliance including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, and the Tax Code.
She joins Lockton after spending more than 23 years at a private law firm in Lansing, Michigan where she focused on core health and welfare benefits.
In addition, Latchana was also named one of the “Top Women in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in 2017 and “Lawyer of the Year” in Lansing by Best Lawyers for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in 2021, 2019 and 2015.
“We are delighted to welcome Beth and her wealth of knowledge to our People Solutions team,” said Tom Schaffler, Lockton’s People Solutions Executive Committee Chairman. “Federal and state regulations are very complex. We’re excited for the leadership Beth will provide to help our clients not just follow those regulations but also understand them, and in turn, help them make their people’s lives better.”
Furthermore, Lockton noted that roughly 54% of America’s workers receive health benefits from an employer group plan, and the majority of which are covered by ERISA, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA protects the interests of employee benefit plan participants and their beneficiaries. It requires plan sponsors, often employers, to provide plan information, establishes standards of conduct, and establishes enforcement provisions to ensure that plan funds are protected, and qualifying participants receive their benefits.
At the same time, Lockton supplies its People Solutions clients with extensive compliance-related support for employee benefits issues arising under ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, the Internal Revenue Code and other select federal and state statutes and regulations, including the Affordable Care Act.
Lastly, Lockton adds that its clients have come to know the team of attorneys as timely and reliable experts who help navigate the increasingly complex benefits landscape through interpretation of legislative guidance, minimizing risk of non-compliance, and integrating with total rewards and benefits strategies.
