Humans are complex and fascinating beings. And, they make decisions based on many factors – including things that aren’t rational. That’s what makes it so challenging to engage people in wellness programs and activities. Most of us want to be healthier and we certainly know why it’s important. So, why aren’t more of us living healthier lives? …

From iPads to Androids to cloud providers, technology evolves oh-so-fast, and FP's annual tech survey reveals that advisor technology usage is changing rapidly too.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 is having a positive effect on 401(k) plans, according to Fidelity Investments.

Question: What options are available these days for employers who need to cut back on retiree health spending, but still want to provide health care to their former workers? Long after employees retire with the proverbial gold watch, a company may still be carrying them on the books. Through collective bargaining, contractual obligations, or simply a commitment to doing what is right, the employer often arranges for group retiree coverage. …

The leading industry trade organizations expressed disappointment after the December 2 Department of Health and Human Services release of the final medical loss ratio rule failed to remove broker commissions from the administrative side of health reform’s MLR calculation.

Most U.S. health insurers last year would have satisfied the much-disputed spending rules under President Obama's health care reform, according to a new report by a congressional watchdog agency.

As we are approaching the end of 2011, I thought it would be appropriate to provide some commentary about a winning strategy that we have seen forward-thinking benefits advisers, brokers and voluntary benefits firms employing in the marketplace.

Semantics are supremely important in making or breaking certain lines of insurance.

With serious concerns about medical commission cuts and maintaining top-line revenues, 58% of brokers and consultants are embracing two specific initiatives EBA contributor Nelson Griswold explains in the December issue.

As high-deductible and consumer-driven health plans continue to increase in popularity, EBA spoke with Nitra LaGrander, a product manager at Evolution1, a provider of electronic payment, on-premise and cloud computing health care solutions, for tips on how plan participants who are new to these types of plans can easily access their online accounts and take charge of managing their health care dollars.

Just when you thought you understood hosted solutions and software-as-a-service, the technology industry has moved on to cloud computing. Over the last two years there have been all kinds of announcements of cloud computing companies with a wide variety of capabilities, the most notable being Apple's announcement in May of its iCloud offering.

So I have to tell you, the November EBA really got me fired up. In a good way.

I would like to discuss with you the building blocks of a successful sales culture. Let us start with values and morals. Then we will move on to thoughts which lead to behavior. Behaviors establish a culture, the backbone of your organization.

I want you to imagine that you are sitting at your desk and you get the following call:

Some experts are predicting that there will be fewer advisers focused on the 401(k)/defined contribution market. With greater competition, price pressure, more onerous regulations and increased fiduciary liability, that argument is understandable. But regardless of the pressure and challenges that the DC market poses, the number of elite advisers that focus on the DC market will double in the next five years because of the size of the opportunity.

Robert Fine has not only dedicated more than four decades to serving employers and their employees through the insurance and financial services industry, but the owner of Robert Fine & Associates also strives to give back to the community as a whole that's helped him flourish in every way that he can.

What do your clients want from their corporate wellness programs? If the first response is lower health care costs, they might be in for a rude awakening. While prescribing a long-term solution, you offer your clients a healthy dose of reality and set the expectation that there is no instant cure.

Athletic trainers may have had their roots on the playing field, but the profession has branched out. Large employers such as Toyota, General Motors, Delta Air Lines and Boeing have used athletic trainers for years to prevent and treat injuries on the production line and manufacturing floor.

The field of dental care is where medical care was 40-50 years ago, as there are still thousands of dollars in price differences for the same procedure, and no standard practices, experts say.

Long-term care is a "problem every-body will face and no one wants to talk about." But with the shelving of the CLASS Act by Congress, planning for long-term care is becoming part of the national conversation - and that presents an opportunity for brokers.