Advisers Latest

It was another banner year for technology in the benefits space, with the launch of several new tech companies in the benefit space and a continued look forward with innovative new products.

Large group renewals, small group renewals, ACA reporting, and much much more. A number of events in the benefit calendar year converged to make the fourth quarter of 2015 a season to remember. How can brokers better prepare for Q4 2016?

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.