Spurred by its $16.2 billion acquisition of American Life Insurance Co., MetLife Inc. moved into the top five while American International Group Inc. slid from third to fifth in A.M. Best’s rankings of the top 25 global insurers based on nonbanking assets.

In this rough economy consumers look to credit cards, an IRA or 401(k), even under the couch cushions for emergency cash. Many may be overlooking life insurance as a potential source of immediate funds, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Americans, particularly baby boomers, are more nervous about and unprepared for their retirement today than at any time in history.

Okay, so it’s no secret that the individual mandate included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act isn’t going to win any popularity contests — nor is most of the law, for that matter. However, Americans aren’t blowing raspberries on PPACA in its entirety, according to a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In its monthly tracking poll, the foundation asked people to reveal their most liked and disliked PPACA provisions. …

One week after new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of children with insurance increased by 1.2 million since President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act in 2009, more than $296 million was awarded to states for ensuring more children have health coverage.

As we enter a new year, it's a great time to reflect upon what we can do differently to improve results and to make adjustments in operations to respond to the changes in a very dynamic and recently tumultuous marketplace. Clearly that job is considerably easier if you have a written business plan for your business. Since we know that the majority of you do not have written business plans, perhaps now is a great time to consider the creation of a written document for your business.

With tuition costs on the rise, employees looking for ways to pay for their children's college education can save with 529 plans.

What will the successful post-reform 21st century agency look like? EBA contributor Nelson Griswold predicts what will set you apart from the herd.

In February of 2010, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, mandates made business associates accountable for the HIPAA security standards that apply to health plans and health care providers. The expanded definition of "business associates" clearly includes brokers and agents. HIPAA, meanwhile, came about in 1996 as the initial attempt to address the growing concern over the protection of medical records

In last month's column I introduced you to the concept of expert positioning. This is when you utilize tools such as article writing, public speaking and video marketing to establish your credentials as the expert in your industry.

The focus of discussions in the defined contribution/401(k) world seems to have shifted overnight from process to outcomes.

PinkPowerLadies.com is an online enrollment platform that helps insurance and financial professionals add cancer and critical illness policies to their portfolio. EBA spoke with the site's Chief Executive Kathy Glover and the site's partner Cary Rentner, president of cancerplans.com.

Last year was one full of health care news, with most of it focused around the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In 2012, there will be some major decisions and rules announced and decided. Here's a look back and forward at health care news.

The failure of businesses, including brokerages and advisory firms, to plan for succession is an often known - but little talked about in public - topic that research shows can have a drastic effect on a company, especially in the current economy.

My father has owned his own company for as long as I can remember. The name and central product have changed a few times over the years as he's sold one business or another and developed new products, but its always been in the IT field.

Over the course of 15 years of working on all sides of the benefits table - from HR specialist to administrator to carrier account manager - Sher Sparano observed the health care process enough to see the lack of resources that HR departments had in handling their employees' benefits.

In the current broker/client business model local relationships are clearly preferred. However, that does not take into account the new health care landscape.

It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the importance of Twitter in the social media world. With the news that Prince Walid bin Talal of Saudi Arabia has taken a $300 million stake in the social media site, it’s just about impossible.

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time to plan for 2012. Many of you have already completed your planning. Some of you are in the process of doing your planning and a few of you . . . perhaps more than a few, never have nor will you do any planning. …

Before putting a bow on 2011, advisers and their clients should take the time to nail down these four key aspects of their finances to ensure financial planning success in 2012, according to M&I, a part of the BMO Financial Group.