Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Saving and Investing: The Great Recession’s Impact on Millennials

Your 401(k) plan is designed to help everyone in your workplace to save for retirement—from the youngest employee to the oldest. In the last few years, you may have emphasized the importance of saving early and enough. It can be challenging to reach a diverse group of employees with a message that encourages action, because […]

DOL Issues New Guidance on Investments Made by Retirement Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued new guidance regarding economically targeted investments (ETIs) made by retirement plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ETIs are investments that are selected for the benefits they create in addition to the investment return to the employee benefit plan investor.

Health Management: A Smarter Approach to Health Care

By Keith Soranno, Keas More than half of the U.S. population accesses health benefits via employer provided-benefit plans, and employers collectively spend over a trillion dollars providing them. A significant amount of this money has been wasted due to poor utilization and a lack of understanding by employees on how to effectively utilize these benefits. […]

Puerto Rico Health Insurer Will Pay Record $3.5M HIPAA Settlement

A Puerto Rico health insurer agreed to pay $3.5 million in a HIPAA settlement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, investigating multiple breach reports from the company, found what it called “widespread noncompliance” throughout the organization. Triple-S Management Corp. is an insurance holding company that offers many insurance products and services through […]

How Beneficiary Dispute Is Resolved Determines Overpayment for Death Benefits

By Todd Castleton Another recent court dispute among would-be beneficiaries highlights the options facing retirement plan administrators when distributing a deceased participant’s benefit. If two or more parties are claiming to be the rightful beneficiary of a deceased participant’s benefit, one option is to review all the facts and make a determination applying the plan’s terms through […]

What Should Be Included in a Total Compensation Statement?

Total compensation statements are a way to help employees understand how much the employer is investing in them. This goes far beyond the paycheck. As part of your compensation administration, it’s a great idea to include total compensation statements so that employees can understand the full extent of the organization’s investment. This leads to greater […]