Monthly Archives: September 2011

Tips on Target Date Funds (from WSJ)

Posted on September 28, 2011 by thebenefitblog

If you’ve been following our posts, you know TDFs are a “buzz investment” right now. This article from the WSJ sheds some light on which TDFs are worth the buzz. – Eric A Wish List for Retirement Funds Target-date funds … Continue reading →

Posted in Executive Benefits, Qualified Retirement Plans, Retirement, Retirement Plans | Leave a comment

California could pose problem for Obama’s healthcare reform (From LA Times)

Posted on September 28, 2011 by thebenefitblog

California represents a different approach to healthcare reform. Great article from the LA Times on what this could mean for the federal system. – Eric California, a model for healthcare reform, is seeking to impose some of the toughest limits … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Health & Welfare, Health Reform | 1 Comment

Fiduciary Definition Proposal Being Redefined

Posted on September 23, 2011 by thebenefitblog

The expansion of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s (ERISAs) definition of fiduciary has been thwarted, for now.  The hotly contested proposal has suffered a stream of bipartisan opposition, numerous comments, three days of hearings and intense lobbying from industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Executive Benefits, Qualified Retirement Plans, Retirement, Retirement Plans | Leave a comment

The Affect of Healthcare Costs on Income Growth

Posted on September 23, 2011 by thebenefitblog

A must-read. This article provides insight into how rising healthcare costs have taken away the average American’s ability to recognize real gains in income. Feel like the middle class is stuck? Maybe this is why … Full article here – Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Health & Welfare, Health Reform, News & Updates | Leave a comment

Why the Urgency to Lower Health Costs?

Posted on September 16, 2011 by thebenefitblog

Great editorial on the “new” urgency to lower health costs. Turns out this isn’t such a new concern after all. Continue reading →

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403b vs. 401k – What’s the Difference?

Posted on September 16, 2011 by thebenefitblog

Great compilation of information on 403b plans and common misconceptions about them. Full article available in original format here. Kind of similar, but really different, 401(k) plans and 403(b) plans are the fraternal twins of the retirement plan universe. People … Continue reading →

Posted in Executive Benefits, Qualified Retirement Plans, Retirement | 1 Comment

Resources for Evaluating Health Cost Increases

Posted on September 14, 2011 by thebenefitblog

A recent article in the WSJ highlighted some of the hidden places where your health care costs may increase next year. To help discover your hidden costs, consider these resources: Podcast * Patient Care CEO Jane Cooper offers advice on … Continue reading →

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Insurers Raise the Premiums on Term Life (from WSJ)

Posted on September 7, 2011 by thebenefitblog

If you’ve been in the habit of shopping around for a new term-life insurance policy every few years, you may want to reconsider that strategy: After years of falling premiums, many insurers are raising prices on term policies. Continue reading →

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Worry Grows Over Insurers As Ratings Slip (from WSJ)

Posted on September 7, 2011 by thebenefitblog

Great article on growing concern over insurance company ratings from the Wall Street Journal (original article here) today. While large companies often take the heat, small insurers are not immune to problems. Continue reading →

Posted in Health & Welfare | Leave a comment