Senior Management, Boards, Finance More Involved in Benefits Decisions

Newark, NJ – As the benefits decision-making process continues to gain importance in corporate America, there is growing trend of senior management, boards of directors and finance/treasury, as well as human resources increasingly becoming involved in, or making these decisions. read more »

Colonial Life Survey Shows Personal Benefits Counseling Improves Understanding

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virtually all employees who participate in one-to-one benefits counseling sessions during enrollment say they have a greater understanding of the benefits their employers offer. read more »

Big “I” Praises Introduction Of Senate MLR Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 3, 2012 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today expressed its strong support for S. 2068, the “Access to Independent Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2012,” authored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). This bipartisan legislation would clarify that agent compensation should be excluded from the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) formula in the individual and small group markets. read more »

U.S. Treasury, Labor Departments Act to Enhance Retirement Security for an America Built to Last Executive Actions Broaden Options, Increase Transparency for 401(k) Savers

WASHINGTON - Following President Obama's State of the Union Address in which he proposed a blueprint for an American economy built to last, the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Labor today announced two executive actions designed to help enhance security for millions of Americans saving for retirement. The measures announced today will expand transparency in the 401(k) plan marketplace and broaden the availability of retirement plan options so Americans can maximize their ability to save responsibly and securely. read more »

Stern Advice: New 401(K) Policies Are A Mixed Bag

(Reuters) - The Obama Administration took aim at the nation's retirement worries on Thursday with a series of rules and proposals addressing everything from 401(k) fees to mandatory distributions and annuities for older retirees. read more »

House Votes To Repeal Part Of Healthcare Law

(Reuters) - The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to repeal a provision of President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul setting up a home-care program for the elderly and disabled that regulators said was unworkable. read more »

Health Reform Law Saves $2.1 Billion For 3.6 Million Americans With Medicare

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Savings for people with Medicare will increase over time. According to a new report issued today from HHS, the average person with Medicare will save nearly $4,200 by 2021 because of the new law. read more »

Obama Lawyers Argue Bulk Of Health Law Can Survive

(Reuters) - The Obama administration told the Supreme Court on Friday that nearly all of the health care overhaul can survive if the court declares unconstitutional the law's centerpiece provision requiring health coverage. read more »

New Medicaid Report Finds Health Reform Law Insurer Fee Costly to States

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report from actuarial consulting firm Milliman, Inc. shows a provision of the health reform law intended to tax health insurance companies to help fund coverage expansions, will be paid entirely by state Medicaid programs for the portion assessed to Medicaid managed care organizations. read more »

Medicare Advantage Premiums Down 7 Percent On Average, Enrollment Up 10 Percent

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average and enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since this time last year, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. read more »

Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions Names Alexander S. Williams as Regional Sales Director, Southeast Region

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Jan. 31, 2012 – Alex Williams, 43, joined Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions as Regional Sales Director for the company's southeast region, comprising the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. The announcement was made by Jack Waldie, Regional Sales Vice President. read more »

Global Pension Fund Assets Hit Record High In 2011

New York and London, January 30, 2012 - Global institutional pension fund assets in the 13 major markets grew by 4% during 2011 to reach a new high of US$28 trillion, up from US$26 trillion in 2010 according to Towers Watson's Global Pension Assets Study released today. The growth is the continuation of a trend which started in 2009 when assets grew 17%, and in sharp contrast to a 21% fall during 2008 which took assets back to 2006 levels. Global pension fund assets have now grown at over 6% on average annually (in USD) since 2001, when they were valued at US$15 trillion. read more »

Patients Facing Unaffordable Premiums and Consumer Advocates Launch Historic All-Volunteer Signature-Gathering Effort for Health Insurance Rate Regulation Initiative

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patients facing skyrocketing health insurance premiums, including one who is now uninsured due to rising prices, joined consumer advocates today to launch an historic all-volunteer signature-gathering effort to qualify an initiative measure for California's November ballot to regulate health insurance rates. read more »