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A group of U.S. senators has offered an ambitious budget plan that could help Congress find a way to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling before an Aug. 2 default.

Lincoln Trust Company has introduced the Personalized Expense Ratio for the 401(k) plans that it administers. The ratio is designed for participants, plan sponsors and advisers to see the actual cost of their plans without having to perform calculations themselves.

For Jeff Rose, founder and chief executive officer of Alliance Wealth Management in Carbondale, Ill., one of the best ways to communicate with existing clients and to attract new ones is through his blog.

While recent legislation has sparked debate about suitability versus fiduciary standards, a majority of investors do not understand the difference between the two, a survey by J.D. Power and Associates finds.

As of the end of June, 39 new approvals have bumped the number of annual limit waivers to 1,471. The one-year waivers are designed to help organizations delay provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

As the health insurance landscape changes, so do middle market companies’ views on their relationships with brokers. The majority of companies surveyed by TNS, a Kantar Group company, view their employee health insurance broker or agent as a valued partner. In 2014, most companies — including smaller and larger companies — will be relying more heavily on their brokers to help them navigate through the choices offered under reform. This is evidenced by 75% of companies who think their health insurance broker will play a more important role in their relationship over the next three years.

The story of President Barack Obama's mother's fight with insurance companies as she suffered from cancer is still compelling, despite a recent book's suggestion it was embellished during the campaign, a White House spokesman said.

Selected from the most impressive field of applicants we’ve ever received; please join EBA in congratulating Darrell Phillips, president of DPI Benefits in Manhattan, Kan., our Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year! Phillips wowed the selection committee with his unwavering client advocacy, 100% retention rate and superb customer service.

Here’s a recent list of personnel accomplishments in the insurance industry.

As major market changes loom, one report says health insurance providers that wish to access this giant pool of potential customers will need to shift toward a consumer-focused model.