Practice management

From the agent's point of view, critical illness insurance can help open the door to new clients as well as to differentiate from other agents. Most important of all, it can significantly increase the agent's revenue.

With health care reform's medical loss ratio rebate reporting starting this month, there is still much uncertainty among employers about how the rebates will work, leading to an opportunity for brokers to fill that all-important trusted adviser role.

As health care consulting and cost analysis become more and more complicated, brokers can help clients reduce costs by using data mining - a field that is constantly evolving with new technology and tools.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I met with a financial planner for the first time. Setting up the appointment was my idea - I suppose three and a half years of constant exposure to press releases entailing Americans' alarming lack of retirement preparedness will do that to a person.

April 3, 2012 5:30 a.m. As I stagger to the Keurig, I notice the flashing words, "NOT READY." I emphatically agree with the machine and tell us both to suck it up. As I savor the first cup of coffee, I grab my iPhone and read those ever-so-important emails that happen between 10:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. I truly believe a lot of people suffer from insomnia. I also believe that people think about insurance as a last-ditch effort to combat it.

When thinking about their retirement and savings needs, women investors want to know they are working with someone who understands and listens to them - they want to talk to a woman.

By now everyone knows about Facebook’s IPO, and you’ve heard tales of its 900 million registered users.

While companies see the value of and invest significantly in total rewards programs, a new survey finds that few are seeing successful results, due to a lack of execution.

Controlling employer costs for health care benefits is a top priority among finance executives, according to a new study.

Last week I had the good fortune of attending and speaking in New York at a two day conference of HR managers from the Engineering and Consulting industry. These firms convene annually to learn how other firms deal with their issues i.e. sharing best practices. The topics, for this meeting, included navigating the regulatory environment, M&A activity, integrating employees and cultures when completing an acquisition, managing benefit costs while maintaining a quality benefit portfolio, hiring the…

This summer, thousands of employees will be improving their financial knowledge and pitting their know-how against others in the first Employee Benefit News and Employee Benefit Adviser Financial Fitness Challenge.

It’s time to nominate your outstanding colleagues — or yourself — for Employee Benefit Adviser’s 2012 Adviser of the Year awards! EBA’s Advisers of the Year are recognized for their stellar performance in sales, client service and overall impact on the profession.

New findings from Tiburon Strategic Advisors reveal some interesting facts about advisers’ appetite, or lack thereof, for headline grabbing products such as alternatives and exchange-traded funds.

Financial advisers are so uncomfortable speaking about life insurance that more than half (56%) simply don’t do it, according to a recent survey by consultancy Saybrus Partners Inc.

More than 75% of health care incentives are so small or poorly communicated that they go unnoticed by providers. As a result, more than $20 billion in incentives may be wasted annually, according to a study.

At least one-third of surveyed full-time workers lack long-term disability insurance, according to a new report that sheds light on an opportunity for brokers. Employees need education to protect their financial wellbeing and to better understand the risks they face and how they can choose the right coverage through the workplace.

The average cost of care for a typical family receiving health care through an employer-sponsored PPO plan in 2012 will cost $20,728, a 6.9% increase over 2011. Though this is the lowest rate of increase in 12 years, the $1,335 increase surpasses last year’s record of $1,319. This is according to the Milliman Medical Index.

Following a pair of bear markets, advisers know the days of buy-and-hold investors with 60/40 portfolio allocations are over.

One of the most difficult hires for any agency to make is to hire a new producer that will produce on par with your most successful producers. While I’m not suggesting giving up on that effort, I would encourage you to make sure you are reviewing your current production team and constantly rehiring the successful producers you already have. Huh?! - Well, not necessarily in the literal sense …

The New York Department of Financial Services has issued a mandate requiring New York life insurers to search the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File every three months in order to find beneficiaries of the recently deceased who are unaware they are eligible for benefits.