Employer Strategies

A record-breaking number of Americans (54%) are considering kicking off 2014 by making financial resolutions, according to a recent study. That's good news for employers, who are increasingly embracing the concept of financial wellness.

Health insurers are being asked by the U.S. government to be lenient with Obamacare customers who miss the Dec. 23 deadline for enrolling in the program or are late with their initial payment. Meanwhile, Aetna says it will not renew canceled plans.

As with other components of the ACA, Congress may have overlooked that ERISA already has something to say about what employees can be charged as a contribution.

While most employers believe they're somewhat responsible for employees' financial wellness, according to a new survey, less than half of large companies (48%) has a financial wellness strategy in place or plan to add one in the next two years.

Pop singer Adam Levine is among the celebrities who'll be promoting enrollment in online health insurance exchanges as part of a social media campaign kicking off this week.

There’s some good news for those who fear that putting health care financial decisions in the hands of employees might produce nothing but confusion. Instead, a new survey indicates that employees who actively contribute to their HSAs do indeed become more engaged and involved in managing their health.

Looking for real engagement — and improved outcomes — for workplace weight-loss programs? A new range of electronic tools (and old-fashioned psychological incentives) can help get workers to shed the pounds, for life.

The best way to encourage healthy decisions is to make cultural changes that affect the entire workforce, as well as the broad environment. Here are nine suggestions for small changes that can have big results.

It’s not hard to make a compelling case for the value of income replacement products in the voluntary benefits suite, but they’re still a low priority for many HR decision makers. A new federal caucus – and some new employee-centered awareness – might give disability insurance the focus it needs.

Contributing Editor Ed Bray looks ahead to 2014 and outlines 25 areas to watch. In part 1: Everything from analyzing health data to HIPAA compliance and beyond.