We’re starting your week with three important facts, developments or conversations from recent and upcoming events. This week, we look at the new IRS guidelines, final ruling from CMS on MLR ratio and what’s going on in Europe with retirement taxes.

Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp. and Bupa Insurance Ltd. may bid for Abraaj Capital Ltd.’s half of Turkish health insurer Acibadem Saglik & Hayat Sigorta AS, according to three people familiar with the sale.

Get ready for tip off. Sun Life Financial is set to offer brokers a new place to take employer clients and employees — the NBA basketball court.

Opponents of a European Union financial-transactions tax say pension funds will be hurt even if their home governments don’t sign up.

“Make an Impact,” the theme for the 2013 NAPA/ASPPA 401(k) summit that began yesterday in Las Vegas, may have sounded more like an exhortation to the nearly 1,400 pension professionals attending the event -- but an appeal that many appear to have every intention of acting upon. Threats to the 401(k) from Washington were chronicled in the opening session by ASPPA CEO Brian Graff and others.

Telemedicine poised to be a big seller for the instant gratification generation.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires that swap transactions go through a clearing process. On February 7, 2013, the DOL issued Advisory Opinion 2013-01A that provides clarification.

2013 is seen as a year of growth in voluntary long-term care, LTC, Prudential, Unum.

New business intelligence systems for the next decade by using Form 5500 data

Overcoming employee inertia in retirement savings with effective plan design by Unified Trust’s Lee Topley.

How agents can help highly compensated executives save and remain competitive with safe harbor 401(k) by John Ludwig

EBA speaks with Jonathan Gruber who created health care reform in Massachusetts

Agency principals and wellness directors share how their firms found success with a self-branded wellness program.

EBA editor Elizabeth Galentine on why brokers should shift their focus.

A day in the life of Kristin Ash of Global Benefits Group

Sam Smith, a member of California’s SHOP exchange advisory group and president-elect of CAHU, predicts a bright future for adviser involvement in PPACA’s state health insurance.

Nelson Griswold on what insurance brokerages need to keep up with health reform.

John Lamb on how financial drivers of HIXs may outweigh traditional benefits approach.

Mel Schlesinger on how brokers, advisers can redesign a benefit proposal.

Jack Kwicien on how to engage clients in a meaningful way