Practice management

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time to plan for 2012. Many of you have already completed your planning. Some of you are in the process of doing your planning and a few of you . . . perhaps more than a few, never have nor will you do any planning. …

Before putting a bow on 2011, advisers and their clients should take the time to nail down these four key aspects of their finances to ensure financial planning success in 2012, according to M&I, a part of the BMO Financial Group.

It seems like almost a daily event … I’m meeting with a client to discuss their renewal and they say, “Why are health care costs rising faster than the rate of inflation (CPI)?” Like me, I’m sure this question takes you many places because the answer can be complicated but is it really?

According to data from ACSI LLC, P&C insurers are improving customer satisfaction, while life insurers are steady and health insurers are slightly declining.

Professional insurance agents have what insurance customers are looking for, according to research results issued by the PIA Partnership. The PIA Partnership is a group of insurance companies that works collaboratively with PIA National to conduct research and develop tools and resources designed to benefit professional independent insurance agents. PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance.

In 2012, the U.S. life and annuity insurance industry will be challenged to find ways to manage both capital and risk in an economically and politically uncertain year, while continuing to lay the groundwork for future growth, according to Ernst & Young's new Global Insurance Center U.S. Outlook report.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York hosted more than 50 high school students participating in insurance industry classroom-to-career education program.

A key difference between prosperous and low-performing financial advisers is how they price their business, a new report from Toronto-based wealth management research company PriceMetrix finds.

Segmenting the market and focusing on primarily one or two customer groups has historically been a winning strategy in a number of other industry sectors. Market segmentation also can be applied to insurance, benefits, and voluntary benefits. While there are a number of ways to segment the characteristics of a potential client base, many firms successfully choose to focus on a particular employer industry sector. Such a focused approach can result in a much deeper…

Nationwide Financial launched a tool Tuesday that aims to help advisers estimate their clients’ health care expenses in retirement, which most Americans fail to plan for, the company says.

When meeting with a prospect or client are you clear about what's important to them? Steve Kloyda shares a fly fishing tale in today’s BeAdvised and describes why you not only have to select the right bait but you have to hit the bullseye.

As the effects of the recent financial crisis continue to spread across the globe, financial stress is an issue for both women and men.

Consumers, facing worries over being able to afford adequate health care, want their employers to do more to help them improve their health and get the most from their employer-provided health and wellness plans, according to a new survey.

Have you taken a chance to reflect on your adviser practice? With 2011 coming to an end, BeAdvised contributor Robert Arnoff shares four ethical questions to keep in mind for 2012.

As another open enrollment season comes to a close, millions of consumers are finalizing their benefits packages for 2012. Unfortunately, more than half of insured adults are confused with several important aspects related to choosing a health insurance plan, reveals a survey released Monday.

Humans are complex and fascinating beings. And, they make decisions based on many factors – including things that aren’t rational. That’s what makes it so challenging to engage people in wellness programs and activities. Most of us want to be healthier and we certainly know why it’s important. So, why aren’t more of us living healthier lives? …

The leading industry trade organizations expressed disappointment after the December 2 Department of Health and Human Services release of the final medical loss ratio rule failed to remove broker commissions from the administrative side of health reform’s MLR calculation.

As we are approaching the end of 2011, I thought it would be appropriate to provide some commentary about a winning strategy that we have seen forward-thinking benefits advisers, brokers and voluntary benefits firms employing in the marketplace.

Semantics are supremely important in making or breaking certain lines of insurance.

With serious concerns about medical commission cuts and maintaining top-line revenues, 58% of brokers and consultants are embracing two specific initiatives EBA contributor Nelson Griswold explains in the December issue.