Can 401(k) re-enrollment fight plan participant inertia?
Re-enrollment can help existing 401(k) plan participants diversify their investment holdings without having to put too much thought into it.
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Many employees unaware of hypertension
More than two-thirds of employees whose hypertension was discovered during a workplace health screening didnt know they had the condition.
5 questions to ask about wellness apps
As employers increasingly realize that wellness doesnt end at 5 p.m., many are looking for ways to engage employees in healthy decisions beyond the workplace walls. A wellness app might seem like an obvious choice, but are they all created equal? Hubbub health's Brian Berchtold provides five questions employers should be asking as they evaluate wellness apps.
More time off, better 401(k) matches top employee wish lists
Retirement is staring Gen X in the face and employees in this demographic are looking to their employers to boost 401(k) benefits.
Do 401(k) plans need fixing?
Blooom co-founder and CEO Chris Costello shares how digital-first firms like his are shaking up the 401(k) plan market.
Wellness programs in 2016: What employers need to know
An increasing number of employers will buy in to a shifting perspective on wellness that will move from simply supporting the physical and mental health of their workforce to enhancing their quality of life by promoting social connectedness, job satisfaction and financial security.
Benefits Think 6 big things employers need to know about health insurance in 2016
As we approach a new year, its time to gear up for another round of regulatory changes, particularly with respect to the Affordable Care Act. Here are six things likely to happen next year that will affect your health plan.
Benefits Think How data preparation technologies can help employers with ACA reporting requirements
Commentary: Because of the difficulty associated with collecting data, the Congressional Budget Office is expecting filing errors to be the ACAs single largest revenue generator over the next decade.
10 soft skills for benefit managers to develop
There are two types of skills benefit managers should have to help a business succeed hard and soft skills. Hard skills are usually at the top of the list managers wish to develop because theyre usually more defined, specific and can be measured. But soft skills, often considered fluff, are just as important to business success, says blogger and author Sharlyn Lauby, who compiled the following list of soft skills managers should help employees hone.
Are performance reviews dead?
Companies such as Eli Lilly, Lucix and General Electric are rebranding their performance management systems and ditching more customary annual or semi-annual reviews in favor of more frequent informal supervisor/employee meetings.
Benefits Think Restaurant-friendly 401(k)s help retain workers
Commentary: New 401(k)s use advanced technology to create a more engaging, user-friendly, smartphone-based platform for restaurant staff, and other hard-to-reach employee groups.
Top social media posts of 2015: Recognizing award winners and understanding HSAs
The savvy adviser knows incorporating social media into the work day pays off. EBA in 2015 continued to focus efforts on engaging and informing our readers through the use of this growing medium. Here are the top 10 posts that grabbed our readers attention and garnered the years most views, clicks, likes and shares.
5 types of managers to avoid
Many of us are familiar with Miranda Priestly, the fictional character from the novel The Devil Wears Prada, who treats her subordinates in a manner that borders on emotional and psychological abuse. Unfortunately, these types of managers exist in the real world and HR and benefit managers should keep a watchful eye when filling or evaluating managing roles in the company. Aaron Hurst, CEO of Imperative, a consulting firm that advocates for purpose-oriented workers, says the No. 1 reason people leave a job is because of their manager. Here are some of the worst types of managers.
Top 5 health care cost drivers
Healthcare spending and rising costs are having a big effect on employers. As new treatments are developed, many Americans with employer-sponsored insurance continue to see increases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs, according to the most recent data from IMS Health. Here are some of the biggest drivers of healthcare spending, according to the U.S. Medicines Report.
12 rules of highly effective networkers
Who you know, and more importantly, who knows you, can make or break a client list. Technology has significantly altered how brokers and agents network, but in-person networking is still vital. Despite a more casual business atmosphere than that of past generations, there are still unspoken rules of networking that should be followed if you don't want to offend, says Kevin Daum, an entrepreneur and best-selling author.
5 bills in Congress for brokers to watch in 2016
Election Day 2015 has come and gone, which means its time to turn attention to the legislative matters at hand for 2016. Employers and advisers continue to seek relief from certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act and other regulatory burdens through legislative action. Here are five bills brokers and agents should be watching for a potential impact on the benefits industry and the employer clients they serve.
11 reasons advisers are thankful for their job
From working in a caring industry to helping those in need to taking health reform in stride, brokers and industry insiders share what makes them happy to work in the benefits field this holiday season.
2015’s top 50 large-group brokers in the U.S., part 2
Employee Benefit Adviser, in partnership with business intelligence data analytics firm miEdge, presents the second annual listing of top employee benefit firms in the country to be ranked exclusively on health and welfare revenue. Revealed in descending order, the listing is based on Form 5500 reporting data as of Nov. 16, 2015.
Sleep deprivation: What it costs employers and how to combat its effects
Insufficient sleep is a public health problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, with some estimates pegging the economic cost for employers in the billions. Here are 10 sleep facts and strategies you need to know.
10 broker-friendly House members
The year 2016 promises to be a busy one in Washington, D.C., with several bills pending that could impact brokers and their employer clients. In alphabetical order, here are 10 broker-friendly members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have sponsored/cosponsored important legislation, belong to congressional caucuses that support the industry, and/or have personal experience with the industry, including serving as a benefit adviser.