Since Pres. Biden proposed rules to reinforce the Mental Health Parity law in July, there's been mixed reaction to the rules, however, employer groups and insurers point out one glaring issue – a shortage of mental health providers.
While the self-insured approach has been considered a less-expensive alternative to fully insured plans, it turns out self-insured employers wind up paying more for colonoscopies, endoscopies and ER visits, says a new report.
IBM's recent announcement to switch to a "hybrid" model of defined benefit plan could make the case to bring back a version of the classic retirement benefit, which could be a powerful tool for retention in a tight labor market.
The ERISA Industry Committee, which represents the largest employers in the U.S., is calling on Congress to re-examine the premiums paid by companies that sponsor DB plans after recent federal pension bailouts.
Health savings accounts hold an important spot as a benefits program to help employees prepare for health care needs in retirement but women's investment balance lags behind men's by 15%, says a new BofA report.
The uncertainties over the past few years have clearly affected workplace savers, who are now less sure about when retirement will come, what it will look like and how they should prepare for it, according to a new survey.
Despite improvements in employment and income inequality, the U.S. slipped in the Natixis Global Retirement Index, dropping to 20th place, as high inflation and public debt caused overall retirement security to deteriorate.
DebugScreen: mobile
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{
"uri": "/2023/12/11/study-finds-u-s-ranks-last-for-health-care-affordability-for-lower-income-adults/",
"title": "Study finds U.S. ranks last for health care affordability for lower-income adults",
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"summary": "Nearly half (46%) of lower-income American said they delayed or skipped health care treatments or visits because of affordability issues.",
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{
"uri": "/2023/12/08/health-insurers-push-back-on-bidens-burdensome-new-mental-health-parity-rules/",
"title": "Health insurers push back on Biden's 'burdensome' new mental health parity rules",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "December 08, 2023",
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"summary": "Since Pres. Biden proposed rules to reinforce the Mental Health Parity law in July, there's been mixed reaction to the rules, however, employer groups and insurers point out one glaring issue – a shortage of mental health providers.",
"body": null
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{
"uri": "/2023/12/07/self-insured-employers-pay-more-for-procedures-than-fully-insured-plans-why/",
"title": "Self-insured employers pay more for procedures than fully-insured plans: Why?",
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"prettyDate": "December 07, 2023",
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"summary": "While the self-insured approach has been considered a less-expensive alternative to fully insured plans, it turns out self-insured employers wind up paying more for colonoscopies, endoscopies and ER visits, says a new report.",
"body": null
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{
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"title": "IBM just flipped the script: Are companies now going to bring back pensions?",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
"kicker": "Market Insights",
"prettyDate": "December 04, 2023",
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"summary": "IBM's recent announcement to switch to a \"hybrid\" model of defined benefit plan could make the case to bring back a version of the classic retirement benefit, which could be a powerful tool for retention in a tight labor market.",
"body": null
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{
"uri": "/2023/11/27/new-studies-outline-advantages-of-using-apprenticeships-to-train-workers/",
"title": "New studies outline advantages of using apprenticeships to train workers",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "November 27, 2023",
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"summary": "More than 9 in 10 (94%) agreed that apprenticeships help individuals obtain new careers.",
"body": null
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{
"uri": "/2023/11/27/pbgcs-new-report-shows-surplus-feds-should-lower-plan-premiums-say-employers/",
"title": "PBGC's new report shows surplus: Feds should lower plan premiums, say employers",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "November 27, 2023",
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"summary": "The ERISA Industry Committee, which represents the largest employers in the U.S., is calling on Congress to re-examine the premiums paid by companies that sponsor DB plans after recent federal pension bailouts.",
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{
"uri": "/2023/11/24/maximizing-hsas-the-key-to-staving-off-a-retirement-shortfall-especially-for-women/",
"title": "Maximizing HSAs: The key to staving off a retirement shortfall (especially for women)",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "November 24, 2023",
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"summary": "Health savings accounts hold an important spot as a benefits program to help employees prepare for health care needs in retirement but women's investment balance lags behind men's by 15%, says a new BofA report.",
"body": null
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{
"uri": "/2023/11/17/rethinking-retirement-sure-inflation-is-disrupting-plans-to-retire-say-americans/",
"title": "Rethinking retirement? Sure, inflation is disrupting plans to retire, say Americans",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "November 17, 2023",
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"summary": "The uncertainties over the past few years have clearly affected workplace savers, who are now less sure about when retirement will come, what it will look like and how they should prepare for it, according to a new survey.",
"body": null
},
{
"uri": "/2023/11/15/report-finds-relatively-steady-rates-of-insurance-access-since-the-passage-of-the-aca/",
"title": "Report finds relatively steady rates of insurance access since the passage of the ACA",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
"kicker": "News",
"prettyDate": "November 15, 2023",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
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"summary": "Of employers with fewer than 10 employees, the percentage offering coverage dropped from 28% in 2013 to 22% in 2016.",
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{
"uri": "/2023/11/13/u-s-slips-in-global-retirement-index-to-retire-securely-americans-need-a-better-plan/",
"title": "U.S. slips in global retirement index: To retire securely, Americans need a better plan",
"byline": "Scott Wooldridge",
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"prettyDate": "November 13, 2023",
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"summary": "Despite improvements in employment and income inequality, the U.S. slipped in the Natixis Global Retirement Index, dropping to 20th place, as high inflation and public debt caused overall retirement security to deteriorate.",
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