Benefits Think

While there are political obstacles to federal action, a number of local initiatives have been undertaken that benefit professionals need to understand.

An appeal currently pending in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals once again reminds employers the importance of maintaining accurate time records and policies.

One problem is that a number of companies make false promises to employees by committing to intensive communication campaigns without proper follow-through.

Advisers should analyze their professional capabilities and look at their firm as if just starting out to determine the effectiveness of existing client relationships.

The Golden State continues its lead in restricting use of such records with the FEHC recently finalizing new regulations that further limit an employer’s ability to use criminal history when making employment decisions.

Implementing a system that integrates online enrollment and HR benefits management empowers employers to deliver value-added benefits and optimizes employee participation.

Employers should be preparing to conduct more due diligence on those advising their plans, says financial adviser John Ludwig.

The "endowment effect" is causing workers to stick with plans that aren't in their best financial interest. But employers can help change that behavior.

Participants appear to experience dues on the principal portion that is more than double his or her incremental tax rate.

Advisers finding it harder to break into larger accounts are discovering that HR departments at those companies are rarely interested in their innovative ideas.