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A report in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that a five-minute visit to Facebook lowers users’ self-control in decisionmaking, including decisions about what to eat.

The Hartford Group says its most recent survey indicates that more than 80% of workers would sign up for personalized voluntary disability coverage, given the option. The Hartford says it has a new offering to meet just that need.

Spending on hospital visits, medications and other care grew 3.9% to $2.7 trillion in 2011, matching the slowest growth in 52 years of recordkeeping, according to federal data released this week. Before the 2007 recession, growth was close to 8%.

Health-care spending in the U.S. grew at less than half the pre-recession level for the third straight year, as employers shifted more costs to strapped workers and state governments limited payouts for the poor.

Guest blogger Linda K. Riddell shows how an eye for detail and some simple calculations could prove to be a life-saver for employees that are overusing/abusing narcotic painkillers. As always, share your thoughts in the comments.

Everyone wants an effective wellness strategy to maintain a healthy, happy and low-cost population, but how do you know yours will work? Linda K. Riddell, a principal at Health Economy LLC and frequent guest contributor to EBN's blog, Employee Benefit Views, has compiled some warning signs you may be on the wrong path. (Images: Thinkstock)

As you look back on 2012, EBA Blogger Andy Torelli says now is the best time to develop a realistic business plan for 2013 and provides the real things to look back on.

“The consumer demand for income annuities has grown steadily during the past two years as consumers seek to generate a guaranteed stream of retirement income,” says Cathy Weatherford, IRI president and CEO.

Most employees believe that their employer offers them the best health plan they could, and that they might be at a loss to ensure the same on their own, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Prescription medications for age-related conditions such as hair loss and mental alertness have been steadily increasing in cost, says benefit manager Express Scripts, surpassed only both those for diabetes and high cholesterol.