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Benefits Think News You Can Use: Kennedy releases health care reform bill

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) Tuesday released his version of health care reform, the Affordable Health Choices Act. Notably absent from the bill, however, are the two main hot buttons of the reform debate an employer mandate and a public plan. Coincidence? I think not. However, what is in the bill is an individual mandate to buy health coverage that's on par with the benefits offered to government employees, and subsidies for small employers

June 10

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Cut the apron strings with care and caution

As health care costs continue to balloon, increasing numbers of employers are reducing or eliminating retiree medical benefit programs. And while this step is understandable, it's a tough one for employers and retirees. However, in this month's cover story, 'Cutting the apron strings,' Associate Editor Lydell Bridgeford details Medicare coordination services that will help you transition retirees from private to public coverage with as little pain as possible. Click above to read the story,

June 9

Benefits Think Overheard @: Half of plan sponsors pessimistic about 401(k) viability

New research from Mercer reveals that retirement plan sponsors are split on the ability of the 401(k) to ever provide adequate retirement benefits, with 50% who believe the plans can be fixed now or through additional regulations and 50% who disagree or are unsure. When asked about lawmakers' ideas on alternatives to the current system, 87% of respondents oppose eliminating pretax contributions, while the most palatable alternative is combined savings accounts for retiree health care

June 9

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Stay ‘check’-ed in on EFCA developments

The word around the DC Beltway is that the Senate is working on a new, compromise version of the controversial Employee Free Choice Act one that would let employees vote up or down by mail on unionizing, rather than a public square petition. Regardless of the tweaks, the bill likely will rub either union or employer groups the wrong way, but lawmakers are trying to find middle ground on the legislation, as President Obama

June 8

Benefits Think News You Can Use: Health execs not so good at math

Last week, health insurers and other industry officials turned in their homework to the Obama administration: their proposals for trimming $2 trillion in costs from the nation's bloated health care system. Although officials get a gold star for turning the assignment in on time, the "show your work" portion left much to be desired — several hundred billion, specifically.

June 8

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Pick your side of the EFCA fence

The more time that goes by, the more obvious it become that there is no middle ground on the Employee Free Choice Act you're either for it, or against it. Black or white, no gray. Have you decided where your loyalty lies? As federal lawmakers continue quietly jockeying for and against the legislation, non-elected individuals are a bit less subtle. Web sites and press releases abound on both sides of the EFCA debate.

June 5

Benefits Think News You Can Use: 10 hardest jobs to fill

For all the news of layoffs, salary cuts and freezes, I thought I'd bring you some news about jobs that truly are recession-proof. Manpower Inc. recently released its annual list of the nation's toughest jobs to fill. Unfortunately, HR/benefits professional is not among them, but recent reports do show that the economy has spurred some people to change careers. If that sounds like you, these are the jobs to consider:

June 5

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Hit all the right target dates next month

Mark your calendars, pros; there's some don't-miss action going on at Capitol Hill next month regarding target-date funds.

May 27

Benefits Think Yay or Nay: Is swearing at work okay?

Two surveys find differing opinions on whether it's okay to swear at the workplace, and I want to get your thoughts, pros.

May 27

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Raise the roof (on HSA limits)

The Internal Revenue Service recently released a notice outlining 2010 minimums and maximums for health savings accounts plans and high-deductible health plans.

May 26

Benefits Think Overheard @: ‘We had a $3 billion investment loss’

If the recession drags on, it will be a red-hot summer for the PBGC — emphasis on "red."

May 26

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Wait! You forgot your 401(k)!

When an employee leaves, I know you must have your offboarding procedures: take their security card, give them a COBRA application, perhaps conduct an exit interview. But somewhere in those procedures, I beg of you to remind them to take their 401(k)s with them.

May 22

Benefits Think Overheard @: HSA enrollees have no regrets

As more employers switch to CDHPs and HSAs to fight the good fight against health care costs, they have greater reassurance that the plans will be well-received by employees, as two new surveys show HSA participants have few regrets about switching to the plans.

May 22

Benefits Think News You Can Use: Republicans reveal health care reform proposal

Us EBNers don't believe in duplicating efforts, so rather than rehash the new Republican-led health care proposal here, I'll just link you to the writeup from Benefits Explained, the blog from EBN sister title Employee Benefit Adviser.

May 21

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Mandating health risk assessments is an ADA no-no

Some employers have taken the bold step in recent years to mandate employees to participate in health risk assessments to obtain group health insurance. However, a new informal letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that such a requirement is one bold step forward but two legal steps…

May 20

Benefits Think News You Can Use: SCOTUS rules against crediting maternity leave in pension calculations

The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that women who took maternity leave before the enactment of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 don´t have a legal claim in requiring employers to apply that leave on pension accruals.

May 20

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Widen your wellness tent

In a report for BenefitNews.com, Associate Editor Lydell Bridgeford writes about a study from Rutgers University that finds 46% of highly educated and affluent workers report that their employer offers a wellness program, while only 25% of employees with a high school education or less say the same.

May 18

Benefits Think News You Can Use: Don’t forget to submit your Benny noms!

Hey pros, there's only a couple weeks left to nominate yourself, a colleague or a client for the 2009 Benny Awards, presented by EBN and sponsor VSP. Click here for a full description of the award categories and information on the nomination process. Nominations close June 5.

May 18

Benefits Think Overheard @: EBN’s Contributing Editors take on benefits’ ‘biggest challenge’

In a special extended episode of EBN's podcast series "Five Minutes With …", our eight featured columnists draw on their unique expertise to answer, "What is the most important challenge currently facing benefits professionals and how can they best meet that challenge?"

May 15

Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Weighing the pros and cons of 401(k) loans, distributions

During the recession, more employees are taking tomorrow's savings to pay for today's needs — taking 401(k) loans, hardship distributions or cashing out their plans altogether.

May 14