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The elective deferral (contribution) limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan, remains unchanged at $16,500 for tax year 2011, announced the Internal Revenue Service.

Most employers say they value their employees. After all, it would sound pretty harsh for an employer to say that its employees are, with a few exceptions, a bunch of idiots who can seldom do anything right.

When California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in late September signed bills creating the nation's first state exchange under PPACA, the move was a "disappointment" and "clearly dangerous" to health insurance brokers and advisers, say those who have been following the legislation's development.

At this point we are approaching the end of the year, and many of this year's key renewals have been handled. Undoubtedly your time has been consumed with all the day-to-day tactical activities required to manage your business and to retain your clients. And in all likelihood you are beginning to get used to the potential impact of health care reform and whatever the "new normal" will be.

Maybe it's easier because I'm a woman, but I somehow manage to get on the news or in local trade journals and newspapers a lot ... for free. No paid advertising has ever brought me even half of the income that results from these free radio shows, public appearances and newspaper write-ups. Maybe it's because women tend to have an aura of trust about us that men have to earn. This isn't fair, but few things are.

Only a tiny percentage of pet owners in the United States have insurance for their pet, but according to the American Pet Products Association, about 62% of U.S. households have a pet. Clearly, the pet insurance is a market ripe for growth. "The message there is in the opportunity to increase participation for consumers and for groups," says JoAnne Novak, VP, business development with Hartville Group, Inc., and its flagship brand ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.

With the advent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and growing government intervention into the benefits industry, the consensus among industry experts is that becoming a trusted adviser and HR compliance consultant is the future role of successful brokers. More than ever before, clients will need expert advice and counsel - an invaluable resource to help HR with their benefits-oriented decisionmaking.

Sun Life Financial Inc. recently enhanced its emergency travel assistance service for group basic life customers by adding identity theft protection.

Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company recently enhanced its Resource Advisor member-assistance service to include Beneficiary Companion and Identity Theft Victim Recovery Services programs at no additional cost to customers.

One pet peeve of employers, brokers and carriers is that employees don’t spend enough time reviewing their benefit plans during open enrollment.