Richard Stolz

Potentially a result of complaints from consumers and increased competition on the ACA exchanges, benefit brokers may be pleased to find more options on the 2015 plans.

While one of the most talked about rising employee benefits, brokers vary in their approach to offering this trend because of the realities of use, cost and profit.

Benefit advisers are poised to close the gap between employers’ need to control health costs and comply with the health law and employees’ lack of interest in taking ownership of their health care choices.

Certain smaller employer clients that have failed to meet their deadlines for filing their 5500 forms may have a one year reprieve.

After a backlash from the broker and agent community, final rules on this topic show some changes from the government agency.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is sounding the alarm that many children aren’t getting the dental care they need — even though the ACA includes pediatric dental care on its essential health benefits roster for small-group plans.

A speech from the senator has drawn fire from one industry group that says it's a threat to retirement advisers and the American people.

There’s an end to ambiguity on whether direct payments — for certain kinds of coverage — are taxable or not.

Insurer groups this week shared ACA reform ideas with Congress, including the creation of a copper plan.

If errors occur with these retirement savings tactics, it could be very costly to your employer clients.

While many in the industry think voluntary sales is a no-brainer for benefit advisers and employees alike, there's one type of product that hasn't seen a boost thanks to the ACA.

The self-insurance option for small businesses doesn’t seem to be as popular for managing ACA costs and mandates as some in the industry once thought.

Even before the president’s proposed budget had been released, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries blasted its restrictions on defined contribution plan accumulations and on the cost of purchasing an annuity equivalent to the top benefit allowed for defined benefit plans.

Benefit industry backlash awaits today's presentation of President Obama's proposal to limit IRA and DC plan accumulations.

Nonqualified deferred compensation plans are on the upswing.

Apparently some plan sponsors and even advisers overlook a basic resource when conducting 401(k) enrollment and education sessions: The TPA. “Advisers are sometimes surprised to see a TPA at the meeting,” says Beth Harrington, president of Benefit Resources Inc. in Sacramento. “That shocks me.”

If plan sponsors are serious about getting stellar 401(k) participation rates, the evidence is stronger than ever that auto-enrollment is a powerful way to achieve it. More hold-outs are getting the message and considering taking the plunge, although only a slim majority already do.

The ability to provide a balance of risk between sponsor and participant through a hybrid design is drawing interest--even among small employers.

Stable value funds require careful scrutiny in the initial selection phase and on an ongoing basis. A new report offers a comprehensive look at the latest trends, and a helpful due-diligence list to use when you are looking at funds for clients.

Prohibitions against dual compensation for fiduciary advisers haven’t been fully grasped, suggests prominent ERISA attorney Fred Reish.