Benefits Think

Guest blogger Chris McSwain of Walmart writes that in the constantly evolving field of health and productivity, we are overwhelmed with new tools to judge the performance of our health-related programs. But sometimes the right tool is the one that’s easier to use.

In recent years, voluntary benefits have risen from a nice-to-have for employees to something that is quickly becoming crucial. Doug Mantz looks back at the evolution of voluntary benefits through the lens of one long-time client.

“Why can’t we get useful data from our health plan?” benefit managers often bemoan. EBN guest blogger Linda K. Riddell writes that finding real answers to the most pressing health data questions lies in the words you use.

With two daughters in college, The Principal Financial's Aaron Friedman has come to appreciate that the three “R’s” continue into higher education. The traditional readin’, ‘rightin’, and ‘rithmatic, carry forward, but he's realized lately that a fourth “R” applies — an evolution with private higher ed in “R”etirement planning.

After seven years, EBN Editor-in-Chief Kelley M. Butler leaves to take on new challenges in work, life and benefits.

Thom Mangan says we need to change the conversation with employers to underscore the value we bring them outside of carrier negotiation. Consider educating prospective clients about your key advantages and packaging (and pricing) your services accordingly with these six ideas.

For years, the mandates for more work-life flexibility were directed at organizations and management, but workplace and academic experts say the boss or company are no longer the ones to solely blame for flexibility failure. However, two workplace experts now say the challenge is for employees to focus less on sweeping transformative change and instead make small, everyday shifts in work style.

Many 401(k) plan financial professionals have already capitalized on the opportunity in the 403(b) market by leveraging their 401(k) plan skills, and being able to distinguish themselves by being savvy in the dynamics that make a 403(b) plan a little different, says guest blogger Aaron Friedman of The Principal Financial.

PPACA takes us back to the future, says blogger Mark Gaunya. Rewind the tape and go back to 1978 when cafeteria plans were born, then fast forward the tape to 2013 and apply state-of-the-art technology. What do you have? An electronic cafeteria plan we now call an insurance exchange or marketplace if we want to be politically correct.

EBN Contributing Editor Robert C. Lawton writes that employers who want to make 2013 a breakout year for their retirement plan should consider rocking the Roth.