Advisers Latest

Private benefit exchanges continued to grow in popularity this year — mostly in the midmarket segment. The exchanges also saw changes to their product offerings on both the employee and supplier side.

As employers continue to outsource HR and benefit admin functions, benefit brokers should prepare to work in an increasingly complicated environment.

Commentary: Many of the newer voluntary products have been strategically designed with a post-ACA lens in mind. When determining their 2016 short list of voluntary product recommendations, brokers should investigate six key areas.

Commentary: Improving the retirement plans that we run and advise will have a positive impact on our participants’ retirement readiness — and ultimately their retirement experience, says adviser John Ludwig.

Commentary: If your New Year’s wish is for the demise of the excise tax, be careful what you wish for, says Mercer’s George Lane.

A set of delays on Affordable Care Act-related taxes in the new federal spending bill will give corporate earnings a modest boost but are unlikely to undo the law or produce significant changes in the healthcare industry.

Commentary: January can be one of the most active times for new clients and increased contribution levels in the education space.

Brokers who partner with Aflac can now offer their large employer clients nationwide another comprehensive open-enrollment option through an agreement with Liazon, which operates the private benefit exchange Bright Choices.

Commentary: We have started telling our over­all retirement story at chapter three or four, instead of setting the foundation of the story first, says adviser Mark Singer.

Commentary: There needs to be a proactive, systematic and consistent business development and prospecting plan in place to successfully sustain your business, says columnist Jack Kwicien.