Employee benefits

Withdrawals for non-medical expenses would no longer be penalty-free under the proposal.

“The struggles and her success in working through it have been an inspiration for our entire community,” Elizabeth Krystyn, co-founder of BKS.

Text messages, mobile apps and videos are all methods brokers can use to get — and keep — employees attention during open enrollment and beyond.

“When you can look at [an employee] and say we just saved you that copay, that means something,” one expert says.

Clients often look to advisers for guidance when implementing a new healthcare spending model.

Employers need to be ready to offer benefits and workplace perks that match employees most important needs.

Small and midsize employers will be able to form or connect with associations to offer employees workplace retirement plans.

The breast milk shipping company has been growing rapidly this year as more employers see the value of adding family-friendly benefits.

On average, these workers use 70% more sick days than their peers.

Mandated leave laws are ever-evolving, so employers should consistently be cross-checking their policies against federal, state and local laws.

Advisers are playing an important role in the rapid growth of the small and mid-sized software solutions industry.

Advisers who are averse to change may face an uphill battle when it comes to attracting new clients.

Research points to automation, robotics and advances in safety as contributing factors to a decrease in claims frequency. However, severity is up — and wearables could help.

Employers will find most value and impact when all internal and external stakeholders work as a team instead of independent siloes.

Advisers should focus on bringing new holistic financial wellness offerings to clients.

Workers, 35 and under, view stock plan benefits differently than older generations, and want greater participation in companies’ growth potential.

Benefit managers may need to review cost accumulator programs for specialty medications under recent regulations.

Baby boomers expect Social Security to be their primary source for paying for retirement, while Generation Xers and millennials are looking at other means, says Wells Fargo.

By getting more information in front of workers, benefit managers can help them make smarter decisions and select the best options.

As a way to improve employee retention, companies are increasingly offering benefits like adoption and surrogacy reimbursement to create a fully inclusive and diverse workplace.