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Commentary: Many plan sponsors believe that just by hiring an adviser they do not have a fiduciary obligation to understand the investments in their plans. This is fundamentally wrong.

Commentary: Benefit professionals should take advantage of new technology and services to protect employees and help them resolve ID theft situations, says VEBA’s Tinker Kelly.

Commentary: Being surrounded by experienced underwriters and “Excel wizards” is just enough to make one’s head spin, but it is right where Brian Murphy needs to be as he enters the world of benefit advising.

Commentary: Complacency can be a dangerous strategy when it comes to defined benefit plans, says The Principal’s Mike Clark.

Commentary: A broker whose perception of wellness is limited to seasonal flu shots and employee assistance policies is at a competitive disadvantage compared to a broker who understands the power of connecting health risk assessment and biometric data with claims data.

Commentary: Many brokers underestimate the impact a comprehensive disability management philosophy can have on the total cost of an employee benefits program.

Commentary: The company’s new tactic of comparing itself to brokerages across the country “goes beyond the line of ethical standards,” says HR Technology Advisors' Joe Markland.

Commentary: There are rampant and seemingly uncontrollable costs of sustaining life in a system which lacks any semblance of common sense.

Commentary: There are other much larger and offensive “holes” in the current disclosure that are more deceptive and allow more conflict of interest than DOL’s proposed BICE.

Commentary: There is a new normal when it comes to underwriting offers in the employer-sponsored or group LTCI marketplace.