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How the Millennial Generation Is Transforming Employee Benefits (PDF)

"Recession-strapped young workers are taking a conservative new approach to financial, medical and other life risks -- and they want their employers to provide comprehensive benefits that support them, guide them and protect them from these risks.... [This article examines] what millennials are really looking for in employee benefits, particularly in the key areas of financial planning and health insurance.... look[s] ahead at new benefits trends that are just beginning to emerge -- and make[s] some unexpected predictions about how this will all play out."

The Impact of Single Payer Health Care and Other Public Policy Proposals on Employment-Based Health Benefits (PDF)

12 pages. "There are pros and cons of having an employment-based health benefits system. Furthermore, it is debatable as to whether there is an alternative to the employment-based system, such as single payer health care, that would produce higher quality care, better service and lower price. This article explores these issues in greater detail."

Getting Employees to Take Action: Using Behavioral Economics Insights to Deliver Benefits Messages (PDF)

"Can the way you frame a message really make a big difference in whether people will get a health screening, consider a high deductible health plan or save for retirement? Research in behavioral economics demonstrates that the answer is 'yes!' This article provides practical advice on how employers can use two behavioral economics principles -- framing and social norms -- to create more powerful, effective messages that will lead to action instead of indifference."

Looking Past Due Diligence for Benefit Plans in Mergers and Acquisitions (PDF)

"Corporate transactions involving the sale or purchase of another company or division are complex events. While employee benefit plans generally are considered in these transactions, the time and attention devoted to these plans are often minimal. This exposes the parties to additional risks, both in terms of direct costs and in long term administrative complexities. This article will review the various risks that often are undiscovered during the standard due diligence process. Health plans and retirement plans, including multiemployer plans, and executive compensation plans are all considered."

The Global Added Value of Flexible Benefits (PDF)

Several companies in Asia plan to implement flex in the next few years, and a number of emerging best practices in flexible benefits design are being developed. This article discusses the many advantages of flex, flex best practices emerging across Asia, and important considerations for employers when designing flexible benefits.

Pharmacy Benefit Plans and Consumer-Directed Accounts (PDF)

"Pharmacy benefit plan costs typically represent about 18% of employer-sponsored health benefit plan costs, compared with roughly 3% in the 1980s. Innovation in pharmacology and other important medical and technological advances are key drivers of the increase.... Employers must be informed when selecting a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and capitalize on today's 'buyer's market' for PBM services, in which virtually all financial and nonfinancial terms are negotiable. Pharmacy plan designs should enable employee cost sharing to keep pace with rising drug costs. The majority of employers have changed their plan designs over the past decade to help achieve this goal."

Living to 100: Strategic Benefits Planning for Employers (PDF)

"A s many as half of today's five-year-olds can expect to live to the age of 100 ... This article looks at the implications this change will have on employment, from changing attitudes toward career paths and career development to the physical and cultural environment of the workplace. Considerations include adapting to changing needs in the areas of employee health and well-being, benefits and financial planning."

COVID-19 Lessons: Benefits and the Workplace (PDF)

"It may be difficult to predict how the business of work will change following the COVID­19 pandemic, but employers can draw from lessons learned over the past year."

Long-Term Care Insurance: An Underappreciated Postemployment Benefit (PDF)

11 pages. "Four out of five Americans have said that they want the option of buying long-term care insurance (LTCi) through an employer. Advantages can include premium discounts, streamlined underwriting and unisex rate structures. Challenges can include limited carrier options, high pre-miums and the possibility of medical underwriting.... [E]mployers will need effective strategies for communication and enrollment, including education campaigns, email communications, webinars, online enrollment, direct billing and the use of behavioral finance tools."

Why Employers Should Care About Their Employee Caregivers (PDF)

"Millions of people in the United States provide un-paid caregiving to their parents, siblings, children and others. A large percentage of those caregivers are employed full-time.... [M]ore than 80% of employees with caregiving responsibilities admitted that caregiving affects their pro- ductivity at work. This article provides insight on how caregiving affects the workplace and offers practical solutions for employers to consider."