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Concerns over annuities persist

Employees willingly would give up a percentage of their salary for a guaranteed source of income during retirement, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch data. The firm's 2012 Workplace Benefits Report found that 82% of employees reported they would give up 5% or more of their salary for a reliable income during their later years; 42% said they'd be willing to give up 10% or more of their salary. With Americans living longer and uncertainty lingering in the investment marketplace, retirement plan participants may consider guaranteed-income products to protect them financially in their golden years.

By Kathleen Koster
Freelance Writer

403(b) plans embrace target-date funds

Education and health care retirement plans are using more target-date funds and Roth features in their plans, according to the latest 403(b) plan sponsor survey from the Plan Sponsor Council of America.

By Hung Tran

Benefits Think What does data benchmarking have in common with antique collecting?

Plenty, it seems. Antique collectors are cautioned to learn, research, and examine items carefully so they won't be disappointed. The same goes for benefits benchmarking surveys. The data, and how it's collected, can be different for each survey and if you don’t go to great lengths to examine the numbers and the methodology, you could be in for a big disappointment.

Plan ahead with Mercer’s open enrollment checklist

Against the backdrop of health care reform, planning and prioritizing health benefit programs for 2013 is an immediate need for plan sponsors. Employers may find strategies and tactics for rolling out plans to be more complex. Based on key survey findings, Mercer has developed a short checklist to help ensure an efficient and effective open enrollment season.

10 ways to tip the sales scales in your favor

Every salesperson knows the job is tougher than ever, especially those in the insurance field. John Graham, a marketing and sales consultant and business writer, shares 10 ideas that can help a broker stand out in the crowd. [Images: Thinkstock]

Pension or buyout? GM retirees make the tough call

That is the tricky choice thousands of former General Motors Co. employees must make by July 20. It is also a decision that many more workers will make as other companies move expensive pension plans off their balance sheets. Rival Ford Motor Co., for example, will begin offering pension buyouts this summer to 98,000 white-collar retirees and former employees who are vested in its pension, potentially cutting roughly one-third of Ford’s U.S. pension liability.

By Cynthia Ramnarace

The Hartford revamps 401(k) website

The Hartford, a provider of defined contribution retirement plans, has enhanced its website for 401(k) plan participants in an effort to provide greater control and track user progress toward meeting individual retirement goals.

By Jennifer Morrell

Benefits Think Managing the disappointment factor

Employers who communicate about PPACA's free preventive care for women provision sooner, rather than later, are better poised to manage employee expectations, says guest blogger Ed Bray.

No deal on pension overhaul in California

California Governor Jerry Brown and fellow Democrats who control the state legislature remain too far apart on how to overhaul the state’s public pensions to strike a deal before lawmakers break for summer recess, according to his spokesman.

By Reuters

Benefits Think Meet EBV’s newest guest bloggers

As EBN Editor-in-Chief Kelley Butler heads out on maternity leave until October, Employee Benefit Views will still be a place to obtain and offer a new perspective on various benefits-related issues — as she introduces not one, but two, guest bloggers for the next 12 weeks.

Federal proposal would strengthen generic drug usage

U.S. regulators and lawmakers recently helped advance what one generic drug industry leader coined “the most important pharmaceutical legislation since the 1984 Hatch-Waxman Act”: a plan that could help employers get a better handle on rising health care costs.

By News Reports

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