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January is when gyms pack capacity crowds full of people who have resolved to get fit and healthy — people who have said, "This year is the year." That's why I picked this month to announce that EBN will feature Biggest Loser success stories throughout 2011 in the magazine and on its new video/slideshow channel, BenefitsTV.

A vote in the House of Representatives on the “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act” (HR 2) scheduled for Jan. 12 has been postponed in the wake of last weekend’s shootings in Arizona, and although a new date has yet to be scheduled, Capitol Hill watchers expect the legislation to resurface soon.

Dossia, a Cambridge, Mass.-based personal health records vendor targeting large employers, has named Michael Critelli as president and CEO, succeeding Colin Evans.

U.S. workers can expect median base salary increases of 2.8% in 2011, compared to 2.4% in 2010, while executives and skilled-trade workers can anticipate a 2.7% increase, according to the "Salary Budgets Survey" by the Hay Group.

Research analyzing health saving accounts managed by three large banks shows that accounts with employer contributions had an average contribution of $1,058 for calendar year 2009.

Hungary reduces social security sick pay benefits, Korean employers to provide paid paternity leave

There are two proposed pieces of legislation sitting in Congress that would seem to be no-brainers for helping people save for retirement and helping advisers help their clients.

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued Notice 2011-1 regarding the application of the nondiscrimination rules under Internal Revenue Code (Code) section 105(h) to non-grandfathered insured group health plans pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

As New Years resolutions merge with employee weight-loss and wellness programs, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dramatically show how much these benefits are needed. This slideshow progression illustrates the stunning increase and geographic spread of adult obesity in the United States over the past 24 years. CDC defines obesity as an adult with a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher (about 30 lbs. overweight for a 5'4" person).Related EBN articles addressing the issue of obesity and wellness initiatives follow: Research confirms obesity link to costly workplace injuries The price is (not) right Fighting the X factor Putting obesity in the crosshairs

Is this year's 2% reduction in FICA withholding a retirement communications golden ticket to incent sluggish plan participants? One plan sponsor thinks so.