What advisers think about the Cadillac tax
This week, a new coalition dedicated to repealing the ACAs excise tax on high-cost group plans was formed. Heres what EBA readers had to say about the tax set to take effect in 2018.
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A dozen budget-friendly ways to reward employees
Recognizing employee accomplishments is one of the best ways to motivate and maintain a loyal employee base. A recent 10-year global study shows just barely half (51%) of the more than 2.5 million employees surveyed feel appreciated. Further, a Forbes Magazine report indicates 87% of employee recognition programs are based solely on tenure instead of on performance. Rhett Power, co-founder of Wild Creations, one of South Carolinas fastest growing companies, says even on a budget there are a number of ways to make people happier and feel more connected to their work.
10 myths about private exchanges
Private exchange growth is expected to explode by 2018. But many employers and brokers alike still struggle with the definition of an exchange. At EBAs recent Private Healthcare Exchanges conference in Chicago, Ann Mond Johnson, adviser at ConnectedHealth, and Matthew Levin, executive vice president at Aon, shared the top 10 myths about these exchanges.
9 questions to ask your wellness technology vendor
Employers today face two key challenges: 70% of U.S. employees are disengaged and health care costs have increased by 80% in the last decade. And the same disengaged, unsatisfied and uncommitted employees are more likely to be unhealthy and unproductive.
7 things employers need to know about the same-sex marriage decision
The Supreme Courts recent decision that states are required to recognize as legal a marriage between two people of the same sex has lasting implications on employers that some industry experts are still deciphering. Benefit advisers should be prepared to advise employer clients on some of these changes. Here are 7 things employers need to know about the decision, according to Cherry Creek Benefits.
10 innovative team-building ideas
The dog-days of summer are here, and finding ways to engage employees can be tough. If your team-building exercises are getting a bit dry, try spicing them up with some of the following activities from Quantum Workplace.
What factors impact retirement savings?
The size of an organization, the age of an employee and a workers salary influence whether or not an employer offers retirement benefits as well as determines if an employee participates and how much they contribute. Here are some key findings from the ADP Research Institute's retirement savings trends study.
5 summer reading books for advisers
Hitting the pools and beaches this season? Take along some reading material to get motivated and brush up on sales skills and regulations in the process. These reads recommended by fellow advisers and industry insiders range from new thinking to classic, tried-and-true strategies.
How to avoid getting run over by the Cadillac tax
In 2018 a 40% excise tax will be imposed on plan costs that exceed pre-determined dollar limits laid out by the Affordable Care Act. Employers and their benefit advisers have already begun to take steps to avoid or mitigate so-called Cadillac tax exposure. Here are eight strategies Wells Fargo Insurance Services suggests to ensure employers minimize their tax risk.
8 office policies that drive workers crazy
Trust is a key component to building a better workplace culture. Yet HR policies can sometimes be redundant, outdated and may even cause distrust between employees and company leaders. Travis Bradberry, president of TalentSmart and co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, shares why it might be time to take another look at editing that employee handbook.
Advisers react to Zenefits, ADP dispute
The Zenefits, ADP dispute continues to evoke strong reactions from EBA readers on both sides. This week EBA also covered the increasing use of data in plan design and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that broker assistance on the federal exchange nearly doubled in the second year of enrollment.
10 principles for an ideal retirement system
What makes a retirement plan successful? How can advisers and other investment management professionals work with plan sponsors to deliver sustainable and trusted benefits? Here are 10 key principles for an ideal retirement system, according to a recent report from the CFA Institute and Mercer.
8 signs your workplace culture needs a reboot
Continuing with our week-long trip into workplace culture, it is important to know how culture could be affecting company wellness programs. If your workplace culture is bad, all those step challenges and healthy eating campaigns arent going to do your employees much good. Here are eight red flags that indicate your workplace culture might need some work.
8 features a private exchange should have
As small employers shift from group to individual coverage, private exchanges can be a useful tool to keep brokers competitive and maximize profits during the transition. Here are eight features a broker should look for in a private exchange, says David Holton, vice president of consumer sales at HealthPlan Services.
7 tips to better recruit, engage millennials
Employers juggling multiple generations of workers face special challenges. But as the retiring baby boomers open up new opportunities for others, employers face another new challenge recruiting and engaging the millennials. Experts at Colonial Lifes Small Business Hub offer these seven tips to bring more awareness in onboarding a new generation of professionals.
What impact will the Aetna-Humana merger have?
Aetnas recent acquisition of Humana sparked plenty of debate about what this means for the industry and what the future holds for benefit brokers. Here are some reactions EBA readers had this week.
What do Americans think about the King v. Burwell decision?
Most people in the U.S. approve of the Supreme Court's June 25 ruling to uphold the legality of subsidies used to purchase health insurance on the federally facilitated marketplace. The 6-3 decision in King v. Burwell means that tax credits continue to be valid in the 34 FFM states. Here are some other key findings from the latest Kaiser Family Foundation health tracking poll.
10 tips for first-time supervisors
Employee training can play an important role in an organization's efforts to retain key workers. Benefit managers and other employees who are first-time supervisors may need a little extra support in their new role. The following tips, from Sharlyn Lauby of HR Bartender, can help make sure new supervisors are set up for success.
ACA compliance pitfalls advisers need to know about
Helping clients ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act is a major part of a benefit advisers job. Here are some HR and payroll issues that advisers should pay particular attention to, according to Karen Kirkpatrick, owner of On Your Mark Consulting.
7 things employers and employees don’t know about HSAs
Health Savings Accounts continue to gain popularity as a health coverage/savings option for employers and their employees. Yet, there are still some common misconceptions and a lack of awareness surrounding some HSA features and benefits, says HealthEquity. The HSA custodian company shares 7 HSA features that many consumers may find surprising.