Technology and better educated consumers are two factors that are reducing the costs associated with retirement plans — which in turn are seeing exchange-traded funds grow in popularity, industry experts say.

Commentary: Healthcare reform is evolving and retirement reform is on the horizon in many states, with more coming.

Commentary: Creating a differentiator to open new doors when you are an adviser without a big venue to display your talents can be a challenge.

The ACA allows states, beginning in January 2017, to ask the federal government to waive almost every major coverage requirement of the health care reform law, including the employer mandate. Employers and other benefit industry stakeholders hoping to be relieved from ACA requirements may consider state waivers the elixir they’ve been waiting for, but are they?

Commentary: How do you start or build an employee benefit agency with no marketing budget? Use social media.

New reporting requirements are forcing public agencies to deal with a massive amount of liability, largely due to unfunded retiree health benefits. One California city helped solve the problem with a private exchange. The format is gaining popularity with plan sponsors for their early and post-65 retirees.

Commentary: Since 2010, the ACA has avoided 50 repeal votes in Congress and two lawsuits in the Supreme Court. Until October, no structural changes were considered — then magically, compromise appears. What does it mean?

Systemic problems are keeping HSA balances from meeting their full investment potential, experts say.

The business of benefits continues to shift, with industry mergers and acquisitions filling news feeds this year. Meanwhile, brokerages remain committed to meeting clients’ needs through innovative ideas that also stole headlines in 2015.

Commentary: Have you ever rocked an enrollment to then have the owner of the company call you afterward and say they need to meet with you immediately?

These automatic retirement plan programs have been disrupting the industry with computerized investment formulas and low prices, but do they have an unfair advantage at the regulatory level?

Commentary: Today’s usage of the word healthcare is “care for the sick.” The only way we are going to solve our cost crisis is to change its meaning, says adviser Craig Hasday.

The IRS on Monday extended the deadline for 2015 ACA information reporting, giving employers subject to the requirements some highly-sought after relief.