Benefit management

The Canadian Auto Workers reached a deal with Ford and GM that included shifting toward defined contribution retirement plans. Chrysler, however, objects to a cost-of-living pay increase.

Ford has said recently that Canadian labor costs are the most expensive it faces around the world.

IBM, Sodexo frame social media to enhance company culture, business results.

A majority of small firms questioned in a recent survey say they aren’t prepared to answer employees’ questions about 401(k) fees.

Employers that market their benefits programs effectively see increased employee production, loyalty and satisfaction. However, too many companies are missing the boat when it comes to communication, workers say.

Best places to work in benefits provide tips on what make their benefits great from EBA Summit.

Jennifer Harvey of American Express wins for Best Overall Communications Campaign.

Experts looking at August’s weak employment numbers say firms may be hesitant to increase payroll as they eye the fiscal cliff.

The Benefits Forum and Expo began Sunday in Phoenix with the honoring of the benefits professionals of the year.

More than 20 million employed Americans play fantasy football, but cracking down on participation at the office may be more trouble than it’s worth.

Coca-Cola builds centralized HR resource with call center structure.

Four employers receive iCOMM Awards for the best in internal communications.

Smartphones are a good tool to engage employees in wellness programs but access challenges remain.

Meeting the legal definition of the parent-child relationship doesn’t always mean that beneficiary plan standards have been met as well.

Defined contribution plan participants have proved woefully uninformed about their funds, and clearer jargon and presentations could help.

Lifetime solutions should be coming soon as more annuities find their way into defined contribution plans, often via target date funds.

Risk is rising and asset return dropping for corporate benefit pension plans, according to new research by Mercer.

Pursuit of higher efficiency pushes shift in human resources to shared services and outsourcing, according to Towers Watson.

State lawmakers in cash-strapped Illinois have run into fierce opposition from unions and concern about a voter backlash in the November elections over plans to fix the state’s woefully underfunded public retirement system.

While most benefits professionals responding to a recent poll have seen improvements in their benefits communication efforts in the past three years, a sizeable portion are either unsatisfied with or ambivalent about their current strategy.