A group of U.S. senators has offered an ambitious budget plan that could help Congress find a way to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling before an Aug. 2 default.

Lincoln Trust Company has introduced the Personalized Expense Ratio for the 401(k) plans that it administers. The ratio is designed for participants, plan sponsors and advisers to see the actual cost of their plans without having to perform calculations themselves.

For Jeff Rose, founder and chief executive officer of Alliance Wealth Management in Carbondale, Ill., one of the best ways to communicate with existing clients and to attract new ones is through his blog.

While recent legislation has sparked debate about suitability versus fiduciary standards, a majority of investors do not understand the difference between the two, a survey by J.D. Power and Associates finds.

As of the end of June, 39 new approvals have bumped the number of annual limit waivers to 1,471. The one-year waivers are designed to help organizations delay provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

As the health insurance landscape changes, so do middle market companies’ views on their relationships with brokers. The majority of companies surveyed by TNS, a Kantar Group company, view their employee health insurance broker or agent as a valued partner. In 2014, most companies — including smaller and larger companies — will be relying more heavily on their brokers to help them navigate through the choices offered under reform. This is evidenced by 75% of companies who think their health insurance broker will play a more important role in their relationship over the next three years.

The story of President Barack Obama's mother's fight with insurance companies as she suffered from cancer is still compelling, despite a recent book's suggestion it was embellished during the campaign, a White House spokesman said.

Selected from the most impressive field of applicants we’ve ever received; please join EBA in congratulating Darrell Phillips, president of DPI Benefits in Manhattan, Kan., our Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year! Phillips wowed the selection committee with his unwavering client advocacy, 100% retention rate and superb customer service.

Here’s a recent list of personnel accomplishments in the insurance industry.

As major market changes loom, one report says health insurance providers that wish to access this giant pool of potential customers will need to shift toward a consumer-focused model.

Although the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on July 12 tabled their support of H.R. 1206, a bill that would exclude insurance agents’ compensation from the medical loss ratio equation, “there’s a lot of work still to be done on this issue and we look forward to our continuing work with the NAIC, HHS and Congress to find a suitable solution,” says Brianne Mallaghan, director of communications for The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

A new report examines how states can create health insurance exchanges, mandated under the Affordable Care Act, to provide Web-based one-stop shopping to individuals and small businesses to compare health benefit plans and purchase coverage. The Center for American Progress, a Washington-based nonpartisan research and educational institute; and the Small Business Majority, a not-for-profit research and advocacy firm, developed the report. It lays out basic principals to consider when creating an exchange, five important decisions that…

When Americans think about retirement one of the main obligations they feel is the need to offer financial assistance to their adult children. More than 60% of respondents to a July 12 SunAmerica Financial Group survey expect that they will be helping their adult children as well as their spouse, grandchildren and siblings.

American workers lapsed into investing inertia after the market collapsed in 2008, but standing still actually benefited many and helped their workplace retirement plan balances rebound by 31% between 2007 and 2010, Vanguard said this week.

Eastbridge’s annual U.S. Worksite Sales Report found that voluntary sales in 2010 were $5.243 billion, down about 3% compared to 2009. Although the number dipped slightly not all companies saw a decrease. The consulting firm recognizes Wellpoint and CIGNA as leading the industry in voluntary sales growth.

When individuals are faced with too many options they become paralyzed and don’t make the best decisions — even when it comes to 401(k) options, according to a new study co-authored by Columbia Business School and University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Three out of four middle-income baby boomers say their financial situation, not age, is now the key trigger for when to retire, according to a recent study.to retire, according to a recent study.

Engaging employees will be the greatest human resources challenge facing employers over the next three to five years, according to a member survey by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Implementing a wellness plan is much easier said then done if you want to roll out a successful program. There are key elements necessary for success to happen; the most important being how your company defines success.

While couples are saving for retirement, they don’t seem to be discussing their retirement goals, according to a new survey by Fidelity Investments.