Will health insurance be sold across state lines? Will the ACA be repealed or altered? James Klein, head of the American Benefits Council, explains the probable impact of a Republican or Democratic victory in November.

Will health insurance be sold across state lines? Will the ACA be repealed or altered? James Klein, head of the American Benefits Council, explains the probable impact of a Republican or Democratic victory in November.

Pension plans and welfare plan all store personal data on each participant and beneficiary, ranging from social security numbers and addresses to date of birth and health information. The more immediate and available personal data becomes, the greater the risk for a potential breach or unauthorized disclosure or access, as is evident from the cyber attacks on major retail operations, health care providers and the government.

Republican lawmakers aren’t giving up yet in their fight to kill stricter rules for brokers that have been championed by President Obama.

In another ACA irony, carriers seek to discourage sales of money losing policies by denying consumers the professional advice they need, says NAHU president Don Goldmann.

Advisers and their clients have to start planning now to ensure they are prepared for the HSA fiduciary rules taking effect in two years.

ACA reporting requirements have brought increased scrutiny of employer-sponsored healthcare plans and the government is largely expected to respond to red flags through audits.

California’s paid family leave benefits will increase to 60% or 70% of weekly normal earnings beginning in 2018, but as a result of a city ordinance, San Francisco employers will have to top up these benefits to 100% of salary for some workers.

Brokers should review account fee arrangements, among other actions, as they prepare for DOL’s new regulation.

The Department has stepped up employer compliance checks, for which brokers should be prepared, according to Zynia CEO Julie Hulsey.

Bill Kite and D&S Agency are coming up with creative ways employers can meet health care reform requirements.

Citing increased risk and low profits, the health insurer says it will exit a ‘handful’ of state exchanges.

The DOL’s rule is good news for plan sponsors, but many are still confused, says registered investment adviser Robert Lawton.

Specializing in a business sector allows advisers to intelligently discuss an employer’s most pressing problems.

As fiduciary awareness grows, CITs, which often have lower fees than mutual funds, are poised for growth.

Now is the time for employers to ensure documentation is in order, especially if they’ve received a pre-screening questionnaire from the Office for Civil Rights.

As it stands, the medical loss ratio could eliminate agent commissions and may force brokers out of business, Scott says.

Chris Schutt of Digital Benefit Advisors says ACA compliance requirements present one of the biggest challenges for clients.

Phase two of the review program focuses on covered entities, including employers. How advisers can help clients prepare.

As defined in the new rule, investment advice includes recommendations to an employee benefit plan, plan fiduciary, participant or beneficiary, or an IRA, HSA, or education savings account owner.