Congress Extends Critical Legislation Enabling Employers to Enhance Financial Wellness Programs

Gradifi by E*TRADE, a student loan payment benefit administrator, today applauded Congress’ decision to extend critical legislation that preserves for five years the tax-free status of employer-sponsored student loan repayment programs.

Under this provision, employers can continue to make tax-free contributions of up to $5,250 per employee annually toward eligible education expenses, like tuition or student loan assistance, without raising the employee’s gross taxable income.

"Since this legislation was enacted interest in and engagement with workplace student loan repayment programs has grown meaningfully, and we’ve seen that the tax treatment has had the positive impact it intended,” said Kate Winget, Managing Director, Head of Participant Engagement and Experience for Morgan Stanley at Work, which includes Gradifi by E*TRADE. "It is a huge win that this legislation has been extended, but our work is far from over. As the adoption of this benefit grows, we must continue our push to make this important tax treatment permanent.”

Prior to the tax-free status of employer-sponsored student loan repayments, both employees and employers faced tax obligations, with the employee paying tax on the employer contribution. This law removes barriers for companies to enhance their employee financial wellness, recruitment, and retention offerings with pre-tax student loan repayment, and helps empower employees to pay down their debt balances faster.

Gradifi by E*TRADE is an innovator in employee benefits for US employers. Its mission is to help employers build loyalty with their workforce by providing employee benefits that positively impact their employees’ financial well-being. Gradifi by E*TRADE offers a single-platform solution to allow employers to offer employees student loan refinancing opportunities, and employer-sponsored contributions to student loans and 529 college savings plan accounts. For insights from Gradifi by E*TRADE, visit www.gradifi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

About E*TRADE FINANCIAL and Important Notices

The E*TRADE Financial family of companies provides financial services, including trading, investing, banking, and managing employee stock plans and financial wellness benefit plans. Employee stock and student loan benefit plan solutions are offered by E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services, Inc, a business of Morgan Stanley. Securities products and services are offered by E*TRADE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). Commodity futures and options on futures products and services are offered by E*TRADE Futures LLC (Member NFA). Managed Account Solutions are offered through E*TRADE Capital Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Bank products and services are offered by E*TRADE Bank, and RIA custody solutions are offered by E*TRADE Savings Bank, both of which are national federal savings banks (Members FDIC). More information is available at www.etrade.com.

In connection with stock plan solutions offered by E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services, Inc., E*TRADE Securities LLC provides brokerage services to stock plan participants.

E*TRADE Financial, E*TRADE, Gradifi by E*TRADE, and the E*TRADE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of E*TRADE Financial, LLC. ETFC-G

© 2020 E*TRADE Financial, LLC, a business of Morgan Stanley. All rights reserved.

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