Benefits Think

Commentary: As you’ve no doubt noticed, the federal government made sweeping legislative and regulatory changes to the Affordable Care Act during the fourth quarter of 2015. Here’s what you need to know.

Commentary: Congratulations on making it through one of the most legally and administratively challenging years in employee benefits history. But, as you know, employee benefits never sleep. Here is the 2016 ABC’s of employee benefits – what Contributing Editor Ed Bray calls the annual “just tell me what I need to do” list.

Commentary: We need to address the journey as much as the destination, and that means delivering more effective financial literacy tools to employees.

More than a year after the NLRB's momentous Purple Communications, Inc. decision, determining that employers must allow off-duty employees to use the company email system to engage in activities like union organizing, we reflect on the continued haze and lack of clarity in this critical area.

Commentary: One misstep along the way and these clients could ruin their finances in retirement and be forced to either change their lifestyle or go back into the workforce.

Commentary: When it comes to leave policies, the name of the game is retaining engaged and productive employees, says Willis Towers Watson's Mary Tavarozzi.

Commentary: While many employees see the start to 2016 as the prime time to implement a wellness regimen, inevitable challenges – especially in the workplace – can quickly quash that fervor.

Commentary: Potentially lower contributions are always conjoined with significant offsetting increases in PBGC premiums.

Commentary: If you cannot take the time out of your day to visit your clients, or their locations, or drive to visit a small prospect, why do you stay in this business?

Commentary: The President’s speech was short on new policy changes but instead focused on current Administration efforts that have begun but are not yet finished.