The theme I found in the December issue was seeing the benefits world through "new eyes."

This started with the cover story Up for the challenge. The story of Rae Bunce's transformation shows how we can look at life and business in a whole different way. Rae, what've you've achieved is awesome, and keep up the good work! Just like in our business lives, how we act and think in our personal lives can make a difference. Changing habits is not easy, and I like the program that Rae is using. I've talked to several companies that offer one-on-one wellness coaching and I like seeing the great results they have achieved. We all need coaches and motivators from time to time. All great athletes have coaches - shouldn't we? I especially like how Rae continued healthy habits while traveling. The idea of getting in a good walk in the airport between flights is clever. That shows that Rae now sees the world through the "new eyes" of a person committed to living a healthy lifestyle.

Retirement redone

We can tie this theme of "new eyes" into the article on 401(k) plans in Achieving the Lake Wobegon effect. This article talks about approaching the retirement planning strategy in a new way, by augmenting the traditional self-directed investment strategy. Adding an investment manager is a great way to help address the need for sound investments. We need to look at the Investment Policy Statement through new eyes. We need to look at participant investment tools through new eyes. I've always believed that there are 401(k) participants who really need an expert to help manage their investments. Showing a participant the basics of investing does not necessarily make them good at investing. That is why we need to re-think the 401(k) and revamp the process, as this article suggests.

Voluntary enhancements

There is good advice in the article In view of voluntary value. I've been seeing voluntary products through "new eyes" for the past few years. As this article mentions, there are so many ways that the portfolio of voluntary products can enhance a benefit package. For many years I've used the tax advantages of a voluntary LTD plan to boost income replacement for high wage earners. Voluntary hospital indemnity and deductible GAP plans can really help bottom-line cost for employers and protect out-of-pocket costs for employees. Listen to your clients and use voluntary products strategically where needed.

Help wanted

The survey results in the article Steady as she goes show that employers are making adjustments to their plan designs to stay on an even economic keel. To me, that means creative and skilled benefit advisers are needed now more than ever. We need to keep scouring the market and educating ourselves on the plans available. We need to keep reading great publications such as EBA to stay up to date. Employers are looking for solutions and looking at their options with "new eyes." Are you doing the same?