A plea for plain English
Employers and providers must work harder to eliminate benefits jargon from their communications.
Uncategorized
Building better 401(k)s
A snapshot of the 401(k) industry, featuring the latest benchmarking data and charts.
Auto increase on the rise
Even as market uncertainty persists, employees using Bank of America Merrill Lynchs automatic 401(k) features are showing they want to stay the course.
OGE employees overcome negative perceptions of HDHP
A comprehensive education campaign helps employees at Oklahoma utility OGE overcome their negative perceptions about the high-deductible health plan.
Benefits Think Open enrollment lessons, part 2
In his final posting before Editor-in-Chief Kelley Butler's return next week, guest blogger Ed Bray offers three additional open enrollment lessons he's learned over the course of his 14 years in the employee benefits business.
Benefits Think ‘Tis the season (open enrollment, that is)
With many companies gearing up for the busy open enrollment season, guest blogger Ed Bray reminds them of three action items that can be easily overlooked during the open enrollment process.
Benefits Think Phony health plan results and romance in the sky
Guest blogger Karrie Andes is a natural-born skeptic when it comes to savings numbers presented by carriers, vendors and consultants. In his new book, Why Nobody Believes the Numbers: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction in Population Health Management, Al Lewis gives Karrie even more reason to raise an eyebrow.
Benefits Think Yes, the Department of Labor is friendly
Yes, you read that correctly. Friendly. And even helpful, says guest blogger Karrie Andes, who shares how the DOL and Employee Benefits Security Administration have helped her through everything from a health plan audit to appeals to disease management.
Benefits Think Adding an easy snuggle benefit: Adoption assistance
Guest blogger Karrie Andes shares her personal journey of becoming an adoptive parent and how it's helped her promote her company's adoption assistance benefits.
Benefits Think 3 benefits compliance areas employers need to watch for
Over the course of his career, guest blogger Ed Bray has noted three important legal areas where employers sometimes struggle with compliance. With the help of attorney Marilyn Monahan, he outlines these requirements and what needs to happen for employers to stay compliant.
You can’t always get what you want … or can you?
Helping employees get what they want also helps senior managers get what they want.
Smile-worthy Recognition
Experts predict rewards and recognition programs will absorb more peer-to-peer platforms and non-monetary accolades.
Back to school
Oakwood Worldwide outlines its award-winning training and development program, which aids retention and recruitment
Match not best enrollment tool
Employer matches arent as strong of an inducement to get employees into the 401(k) plan as you might think, says Harvard academic
Relive the best of BF&E 2012!
Benefits professionals and advisers enjoyed three days of exciting keynotes, including Meghan McCain, and informative sessions, expansive networking, and a rockin 80s party in tranquil Phoenix, AZ last week at the 25th Annual Benefits Forum & Expo. Experience moments you may have missed or relive the best of them in this special slideshow.
Joint employment test under FLSA established
Degree of control proves the crucial litmus test to determine when two employers jointly employ an employee.
Ohio legislature passes benefit changes for pensions
The Buckeye State ranked 15th worst in terms of what it needed to pay future retiree obligations.
Benefits Think Summary of Benefits and Coverage could wreak communication havoc
The Summary of Benefits and Coverage (required to be distributed to employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) is supposed to be an easy-to-understand summary about a health plan's benefits and coverage. But guest blogger Ed Bray maintains the SBC has the potential to confuse employees.
The future is in your hands
Editorial Director David Albertson welcomes benefits professionals to the 2012 Benefits Forum & Expo.
Benefits Think Before you sign on the dotted line
As self-insured employers start reviewing their annual agreements for 2013 benefits, guest blogger Karrie Andes shares her checklist of items to watch out for.