Benefits Think

As the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaches, perhaps we could take a moment out of our day to reflect on gratitude. This means appreciating the clients that we already have. Further, we should respect those who are being appropriately serviced by another adviser enough to abstain from unethical means to obtain their business for ourselves. Perhaps it seems that these clients are there for the taking, but if we ignore the ethical considerations, we have failed not…

Author Michael McIntyre caused a bit of a stir last week with comments about how he sees the corporate world as “exceedingly benefit-less” and that job seekers shouldn’t ask about benefits unless. I asked him about these comments in a new EBN podcast.

Mercer recently surveyed employers about their responses to health reform provisions that were effective in 2011 and their attitudes toward requirements that won’t kick in until 2014 or later. The area that provided the most intriguing results involved eligibility. A year ago, when asked what actions they were likely to take in 2014 when benefits must be made available to employees working 30 or more hours per week, employers seemed more inclined to bite the…

As I discuss market trends with my peers around the country, PEO’s are a consistent topic of discussion. It’s one of those issues where everyone seems to have an opinion about their potential relevance and impact on the benefits adviser community. I realize that it depends on your locale and whether any PEO’s are willing to partner and distribute their services through an adviser network. Clearly some organizations are exclusionary and represent direct competition to…

According to a poll of 642 18- to 29-year-olds conducted by the Strategic Research Institute at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., 50% don’t believe Social Security will exist by the time they become age-eligible for the program at 67.

The business process has always been interesting to me. What do we do and how do we do it? We all seem to follow a similar process with varying results. The typical new business progression is as follows: We obtain a potential prospect . . . referral, direct mail, telemarketer or someone we meet on a plane, etc. We attempt to arrange an initial meeting If successful, we tell our story. What is our differentiator? What are their…

“Don’t worry about benefits,” says Michael McIntyre, president and CEO of Benefits America. Further, McIntyre adds, “never ask about benefits, unless you are applying for a C-level position with a Fortune 500 company.” He’s kidding, right? Right?

As the cost for health insurance continues to rise, the relationship between a benefit professional and a customer looking for affordable health care benefits can become strained. Despite the tough times, Read in today's BeAdvised why a broker who can provide a silver lining will stand out from the competition as a credible, valuable consultant.

A bill introduced Oct. 5 by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.) would waive the 10% early withdrawal penalty on 401(k) hardship withdrawals up to $50,000 to prevent home foreclosure.

Are you overlooking or denying these three valuable lessons? If so, you are destined to repeat them. Read how you can learn and adapt to become more successful in the industry.