Employee benefits

Clients are often surprised to learn they can build up a cash reserve through their policies, says adviser Ari Fischman.

In recent years, the number of employees who’ve started contributing to their 401(k) plans or increased their deferrals has grown significantly, suggesting employers’ messages are getting through.

With the market condensing to a few big carriers, such as Anthem, adviser Vinnie Daboul predicts the health insurance system is entering a new phase.

Employee interest highest in emotional and mental components of employers’ well-being programs, Aon Consulting finds.

The company launches Fitbit Group Health, bringing its employer, insurer, weight management and clinical research programs under one umbrella.

ADP TotalSource’s Maria Black shares three tips advisers can offer small business owners to get the most out of their programs, such as year-end incentives and job flexibility.

Just as Apple took on IBM decades ago, a number of healthcare startups are aiming to revolutionize the insurance business, according to Alliant Employee Benefits’ Tom Greene.

More than a third of young adults aren’t aware of available choices, yet more than half have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, says Transamerica research.

Clients are often surprised to learn they can build up a cash reserve through their policies, says adviser Ari Fischman.

Demand is expanding because of rising veterinary costs and the close bond employees have with their animals.

Firm targets younger employees and those without a traditional desk job with online, on-the-go application.

Employee interest highest in emotional and mental components of employers’ well-being programs, Aon Consulting finds.

Features such as insurance portability may appeal to workers, but employers need to work hard to convince employees to go with a move away from group coverage, says Hixme’s Denny Weinberg.

More than a third aren’t aware of available choices, yet more than half have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, according to Transamerica research.

The cases include complaints of unjust treatment based on pregnancy, motherhood, fatherhood, caring for family members who are sick or disabled and caring for ill or aging parents.

When employees change jobs and cash out their plan balance, they often do it over a period of years rather than all at once, according to Retirement Clearinghouse’s Spencer Williams.

The methods for counting employees are as varied as the laws that affect them, often creating confusion and frustration for plan sponsors, says Compliancedashboard’s Dan Bond.

Features such as insurance portability may appeal to workers, but employers need to work hard to convince employees to go with a move away from group coverage, says Hixme’s Denny Weinberg.

And Daniel J. Lebish believes advisers are “more and more” ready to succeed in this next phase of the business.

About one in three Fortune 500 companies now offer the voluntary product, but demand is expanding because of rising veterinary costs and the close bond employees have with their pets.