Benefits Think

On behalf of the staff of Employee Benefit News, it’s my pleasure and privilege to say ... "See ya later, alligator!" The staff and I are leaving this weekend for EBN's 23rd annual Benefits Forum & Expo, and I hope many of you will be joining us.

EBN's 2010 Benny Award honorees talk to Editor-in-Chief Kelley Butler about the impact of the recession, their early thoughts on health care reform and their hopes for economic recovery in 2011.

Although the economy has yet to fully thaw, so to speak, new research from Mercer shows that employers are beginning to assess the impact that two years of salary freezes and limited pay increases have had on their base salary programs.

I recently spoke to Center for Health Value Innovation President Cyndy Nayer for EBN’s podcast series about her goals for the Center's 2010 value-based design survey. In addition to the all-important questions on how you’re all handling health care reform, Nayer says the survey is looking to capture your thoughts on prevention and wellness components in health plans.

The retirement debt clock — wound and set last week at an event by Retirement USA at the launch of “Wake Up, Washington!” Month — estimates the national retirement income deficit, the gap between the pensions and retirement savings that American households have today and what they should have today to maintain their living standards in retirement, at $6.6 trillion and counting.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that HR/benefits professionals do not mess around when it comes to their certifications.

My kids are typical little ones — giant bundles of id who want everything they lay their eyes on. Usually toys and candy. Occasionally though, they’ll ask for something they’ll never, ever use.

In recent weeks, we’ve watched the furor grow over the proposed building of an Islamic cultural center and mosque near the site of Ground Zero.

I’m a huge sports fan, so it should come as no surprise that I love head-to-head matchups, no matter where they occur.

Today is 401(k) Day, an annual celebration originally launched by the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America designed to celebrate the importance of employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.