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A little-known special enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act allows for small employers to pick up group health care coverage regardless of whether they meet minimum participation or contribution requirements.

In a decision that’s being hailed as a victory for employer-sponsored wellness programs, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota yesterday denied the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Honeywell International Inc.

Aetna’s planned acquisition of private exchange operator bswift may signal the start of more insurers acquiring private exchanges, experts in the industry say.

A relatively small number of easily fixable problems can make a big difference in many 401(k) plans. Check out this list from EBN's retirement blogger Robert Lawton to see if your 401(k) plan can be improved.

Retail, health care and local government are typical jobs found all across the entire country. But what are the most unique jobs a state can call its own? Using a measurement called location quotient (LQ) — the percentage share of a state’s workforce in a given occupation versus the percentage share of the nationwide workforce in that occupation — Mentalfloss and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., a CareerBuilder company, have determined which jobs are “most unique” in each state.

Commentary: The average working American is part of a financially fragile workforce and many are reacting to higher health insurance contributions that could spell long-term trouble, says voluntary specialist Tinker Kelly.

In an age where employee retention is as critical a goal as keeping customers happy, isn’t it worth the effort to make sure employees feel a passion for your product like your loyal customers do?

Commentary: There is more to Aetna’s announcement that it will acquire exchange provider bswift than meets the eye, says health technology consultant Joe Markland. In fact, it’s another signal that brokers need to recognize the benefits world is changing around them, he says.

With employer-sponsored wellness programs facing increased scrutiny from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the debate over wellness incentives may also heat up.

Aetna announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire private health insurance exchange operator bswift for $400 million.