Practice and client management

There are four words that sum up the tremendous growth experienced by San Mateo, Calif. brokerage Sequoia Benefits and Insurance Services in 2012: "Coming through for people." To Greg Golub, CEO and founder, it is that simple, and it all comes back to impeccable customer service. In a year when other firms struggled to remain solvent, Sequoia brought in 135 new clients and 50 new 401(k) plans, developed an innovative smartphone application and overhauled its online customer service portal.A client-first attitude yields tremendous growth and employee admiration for Sequoia's Greg Golub, EBA's 2012 Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year.

The recent ruling on health reform has created an even greater need for accurate benchmarking data. Proving the age old adage that if you can't measure it, then you can't manage it. Advisers armed with information that drills down through national, regional, state, industry and company size will be better prepared to assist larger employers with employee acquisition and retention, and smaller employers make intelligent decisions on whether or not to "pay or play."

Benefits Advisors Network members rally to tackle market uncertainty says executive director of 45-member BAN.

Sequoia's Greg Golub is EBA's 2012 Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year.

Nelson Griswold on how to reinvent your brokerage come 2014 and the start of Obamcare, PPACA

Mel Schlesinger shares how brokers salesperson can double their income using a sales mindset

Why health care reform will produce positive change in the private exchange market.

Retirement plan participants who hand pick their own mix of investment options are generally exposed to greater risk, due to reduced diversification and a tendency to not automatically adjust their portfolios over time, according to research from The Principal Financial Group.

The surprise vote by Chief Justice John Roberts to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the end of June really was a bold decision that redefined the Commerce Clause. In an era when ego, power and politics rule, Roberts made the brave decision not to use judicial power to overrule the democratic process. He actually gave us an early Independence Day gift by not letting the Supreme Court define the future of…

Recent research indicates that more people are being affected by major legal events in their lives – and so is their productivity.

Two in five adults in the U.S. are getting general health care from specialist doctors, according to a new study showing that figure held steady for nearly a decade.

Defined contribution plan sponsors need to do a better job communicating key information to participants, according to a recent survey of plan participants conducted by State Street Global Advisors.

Two new studies amplify the benefits—especially for women—of working with financial advisers, and provide insight into a changing demographic for life insurers.

Kevin Trokey has coached hundreds of producers but it sees what attribute that seems to hold them back. What is that, how does it even keep good producers and from being great, and what can be done to overcome it?

Employee morale continues a slow but steady decline from 2008 levels, but the benefits enrollment season, vastly approaching, offers employers the chance to positively engage their employees, according to recent research from Unum.

As carriers ramp up to gain market share ahead of PPACA, Aetna acquires Coventary —increasing its overall share of government health plans to more than 30%, and nearly 42 million members nationwide.

More than a third of retirement plan participants admitted that they either “guessed” or “made up” their estimates for how much income they would need in retirement, according to a new survey, while only 30% said they consulted with a professional for help in setting their goals.

Is your workforce going to retire in poverty?

With more than 8.1 million Americans protected by long-term care insurance coverage, there is no doubt it’s a product that appeals to baby boomers who don’t want to end up in a nursing home or be dependent on others. However, it’s not a fit for everyone. For example, most young married men would be better off focusing on building a nest egg and buying life insurance protection. …

Immediately after the Supreme Court's health reform decision brokers shared their reaction with EBA. View the full slideshow at eba.benefitnews.com/slide_show.