The Social Security Star - Apr 2022

Financial Literacy Month is focused on educating people about the importance of planning for a secure financial future. Every April, we like to remind you that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. We have online tools to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future.

You should periodically review your Social Security Statement using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.  Your Statement is an easy-toread summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive, including potential retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

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New York State Ends Designation of COVID-19 as a Serious Airborne Infectious Disease Under the NY HERO Act

On March 17, 2022, New York State ended the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act). As a result, private sector employers are no longer required to implement their NY HERO Act workplace safety plans, which included conducting employee health screenings and requiring physical distancing in the workplace, among other things. 

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Federal Government Ends Mandatory Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Claims

On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021¹ (“Act”).  The Act amends the Federal Arbitration Act to provide that at the election of a person alleging conduct that constitutes sexual assault or sexual harassment or the named representative of a class or collective action alleging such conduct, which is filed under federal, state or tribal law, any predispute arbitration agreement or predispute joint-action waiver is unenforceable.  The Act took effect immediately upon its signing.  As a result, arbitration agreements that require the arbitration of sexual assault or sexual harassment claims or prohibit such claims from being brought as a class or collective action are now voidable at the discretion of the claimant.  In other words, the protection from public trials and class and collective actions that predispute arbitration agreements have provided employers has been effectively removed for such claims. 

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