Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

It was a busy week in benefits. Private sector competition is beating out SHOP exchanges, carriers are considering post-King v. Burwell rate changes and the retirement industry is responding to the Supreme Court's decision on Tibble v. Edison. Here's how EBA readers are taking it all in.

An increase in Department of Labor audits and the evolution of mobile capabilities are just two of the factors driving growth in the benefits administration space. Now more than ever, brokers need to help their clients picking the right ben admin provider, says Jennifer Daniel, VP at Businessolver. Speaking at a recent conference, Daniel, a former broker, shared five ways to ensure your clients find the right platform.

Of the top 50 large-group brokerages in the U.S., the 10 companies listed are firms with between $10 million and $100 million in large-group revenue that are experiencing positive year over year growth. EBA, in partnership with business intelligence data analytics firm miEdge, reveals in ascending order these fastest-growing firms. The listing is based on Form 5500 Schedule A reporting data on revenues coming from commissions and fees/bonuses as of March 31, 2015.

There are some lesser known apps and tools for the Chrome internet browser that advisers could be leveraging to help manage their day-to-day tasks, according to the Principal Financial Group’s, digital strategist lead, Brian Gualillo.

Reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act call for high levels of coordination between payroll and HR departments. One of the biggest changes this year is the employer shared responsibility provisions that went into effect for many large employers. Correct payroll data is vital to the end-of-year reporting process and in assessing whether an employer is subject to the provisions. Mike Trabold, director of compliance risk at Paychex, shares five best practices to ensure accuracy and help reduce the likelihood of penalties.

Household finances are a major concern for Americans, yet most have debt and are lacking a financial plan. A larger percentage of employees are seeking one-on-one guidance from an adviser through their employer, LIMRA research finds.

Health plans purchased before March 23, 2010 are considered to have grandfathered status and don’t have to follow the ACA's rules and regulations or offer the same benefits, rights and protections as new plans. But certain plan changes or adjustments can trigger the loss of grandfathered status. What are they?

Growing concern about retirement readiness is top of mind for many employers, their benefit advisers and especially their employees. The financial planning company BlackRock has identified seven habits that highly confident retirees practiced throughout their working career and can be emulated by today's plan participants. .

Of the top 50 large-group brokerages in the U.S., the 18 companies listed are firms with less than $10 million in large-group revenue that are experiencing positive year over year growth. EBA, in partnership with business intelligence data analytics firm miEdge, reveals in ascending order these fastest-growing firms. The listing is based on Form 5500 Schedule A reporting data on revenues coming from commissions and fees/bonuses as of March 31, 2015.

More employees are eligible for health benefits, but participation remains flat, premiums are increasing and workforce demographics are changing, according to the ADP Research Institute’s 2015 annual health benefits report.