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I've never met Danna Korn, but after spending just 25 minutes speaking with her, I believe her company - wellness program vendor Sonic Boom, in Carlsbad, Calif. - is aptly named. Recalling from middle school science that a sonic boom is the thunderous sound created from shock waves when an object is moving faster than the speed of sound, Korn's approach to wellness and her views on traditional programs likely will send shock waves through the industry.

Although for the most part still in their infancy, global wellness programs are beginning to catch on. Unlike U.S. wellness initiatives that are driven largely by fighting rising health care costs, in Asia, the motive is a need to compete for top talent, and European multinationals are focused on reducing absenteeism and improving employees' health and safety, according to Towers Watson. Whatever the reason, formulating a global health strategy means balancing a universal mission with local realities.

As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Yet, according to a recent survey by AARP, 71% of 401(k) plan participants reported that they pay no fees for their plan. When told of the fees, six in ten (62%) were not aware of the amount they pay in fees to maintain their account. Just under one quarter (23%) of those surveyed said that they do pay fees.

This article is the third and final in EBN's annual Preparing for Open Enrollment series, and presents benefits professionals' advice on when and how to rollout a wellness program. The first two articles are available at ebn.benefitnews.com/openenrollment.

European Court of Justice abolishes sex-based differences in insurance policies. Spain's Council of Ministers approves draft social security pension reform.

My mother has the day off every other Friday, which I highly envy. She also works nine-hour days for the privilege, which I do not envy.

In high school, I remember sitting for hours typing documents on printing shells for my school's Ditto machine. While my peers rushed to class in the afternoons, I sat silently typing quizzes, handouts and tests. Other students called me "little miss goody two-shoes," but I didn't mind. I knew working in the school office would teach me the necessary skills to succeed.

When government officials in Orange County, Fla. decided to move to a consumer-driven health plan last fall, they knew they would have to approach communications in a new way. While the county has 6,500 employees, its health plan covers approximately 19,000 lives, including dependents and employees at a few other government agencies.

If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall when two benefits brokers are discussing client strategy (and I admit it, I have), then keep reading. In an exclusive to Employee Benefit News, Jack Kwicien, co-founder and managing partner at Daymark Advisors, recently sat down with fellow adviser Beverly Beattie, founder and CEO of Selden Beattie Advisors, to do just that - specifically, a case study involving a Selden Beattie client. Not to worry, no state secrets are spilled, no confidences broken. But the Q&A does offer benefits pros some food for thought to chew on as they plan their next meeting with their own benefits adviser. -from the Editor

President Obama signed legislation in April repealing the expanded 1099 reporting requirements in the health care reform law and Small Business Jobs Act.