News Reports

An asset increase of $23 billion is not enough to offset a $60 billion increase in liabilities as interest rates fall below 4.0%, raising the funded status deficit to $321 billion

Americans who work with a financial professional, had a college education and more than $100,000 in household assets are more likely to have a higher financial literacy.

When managing money, the large majority of Americans today are not looking for shortcuts or get-rich-quick strategies, according to Northwestern Mutual’s 2013 Planning & Progress Study.

A $15 billion asset increase, paired with a $14 billion liability decrease, reduces the Milliman 100 PFI pension funded status deficit to $285 billion.

Study Reveals Financial Industry Not Meeting Women’s Needs. Three-fourths feel they earn better returns teaming with financial professional.

LIMRA research reveals that the majority of Generation X and Y consumers have little understanding of financial products and services and less than half make saving for retirement their top priority. Their situation improves, however, with the help of financial adivisers.

A series of ground-breaking educational events in major markets providing financial professionals with strategies to capitalize on opportunities in the multi-billion dollar micro- to small-plan retirement market.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced a new proposal that will reverse its 2009 proposal and thereby reform and reduce reporting requirements for more than 90% of companies and pension plans.

Americans continue to hold their purse strings tight and favor cautious choices with their money, according to research from Northwestern Mutual.

A new study shows strong employer objections to state-run plans such as those recently proposed by legislatures in California and Massachusetts.

The use of online calculators and retirement advisers has been linked to higher levels of retirement confidence.

Consumer-driven health plans are not achieving long-term savings greater than what would be reached by raising the deductible on traditional PPOs, according to the 2012 UBA Health Plan Survey.

The Shrinking Emergency Account Losses (SEAL) Act, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), is before the Senate again. The bill, originally proposed in 2011, would give 401(k) participants who borrow against their 401(k) retirement plans more time to replenish their accounts after leaving a job.

The study from the National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments finds that nearly nine out of ten employers surveyed indicated that they currently offer wellness-based incentives (86%), an increase from 73% from 2011 and 57% from 2009.

The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries issued a statement this week objecting to a new Brookings Institution report that recommends curtailing retirement benefits for top earners.

More U.S. employees have seen the light on workplace wellness initiatives, according to Principal Financial, with 62% now saying they believe the programs are improving their health and a majority saying the benefit helps them work harder and better.

Despite relatively flat prescription prices, drug cost remains a major concern for workers’ compensation pharmacy benefit managers. Their biggest trouble-maker: opioids.

Consulting firm announced Thursday the launch of a private benefits exchange developed by Benefitfocus, available to employers with at least 100 employees.

Mercer announced Thursday that it has launched a private benefits exchange developed by Benefitfocus and available to employers with at least 100 employees.

A strong stock market was not enough to help employers get closer to funding fully corporate pension plans, consulting firm Towers Watson finds; aggregate funded status went from 78% in 2011 to 75% at the end of 2012.