10. The life insurance survival guide

This article is exactly what it sounds like: It's your one-stop-shop for everything involving life insurance. You'll learn how to define it, how to sell it, how to make a profit, and how to thrive in the industry, among other things.

Illustration by Colin Hayes

9. Six possibilities for health reform

Even before the Supreme Court ruled on President Barack Obama's health care law, some called it the "decision of the century." It seemed fitting, as the decision would have an impact on nearly every American.

With a decision expected by the end of June, the Associated Press looked at six different potential outcomes—they examined more plausible outcomes, from striking down the entire law and upholding the entire thing, to more convoluted ones, like striking down the individual mandate but leaving the rest of the PPACA in place.

Photo: Associated Press Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File

8. Eight tips for employees during open enrollment

With new regulations in place because of health reform, as well as ever increasing health costs, it seemed employees could use all the help they can get.

This story includes eight tips for employees so they can make the most of their benefits plans, while saving money.

7. 5 voluntary products to watch this year

In many ways, it seemed 2012 was the year of voluntary products. Industry experts said if you're not talking voluntary, you're behind the times. And it goes beyond vision and dental insurance—though those ancillary benefits are still important to employees.

After talking to industry vets, this story focused on five voluntary products to keep your eye on.

Also packaged with the story: "6 ways to overcome sales objections," "Your guide to selling voluntary benefits," and "The craziest voluntary sales objections you've ever heard."

Photo credit: Teerapun

6. 20 best cities for health brokers (part 1)

This article had a simple premise: Let's find out where the most lucrative markets are for health brokers. To start, the author looked at every city with at least 50 large health plans. Next, he used the data on FreeERISA to calculate the expected fees and commissions the brokers on those plans were receiving, and finally adjusted those amounts by the median income levels of those cities.

Also check out part 2.

Photo credit: Paul Martin Eldridge

5. 10 fattest states in America

Numerous polls this year confirmed not so great news on the obesity front: We're still fat.

According to a major analysis released in August by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than one-third of residents in 12 states are considered obese. See which states are tipping the scales.

Photo: In this photo taken Jan. 20, 2010, Paris Woods, 14, has her waist measured as she takes part in her final session of a 20 month obesity prevention study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. (Associated Press/M. Spencer Green)

4. 2013 HSA and FSA cheat sheet

This article has got everything you need to know about health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts in 2013.

photo credit: Arvind Balaraman

3. Five reasons to enroll in an HSA

As HSAs continue to grow in popularity, more and more employers are considering this option for their employees.

But, while employees may see the benefits to the company for moving to an HSA-qualified plan—a lower price point, the flexibility to adjust HSA contributions in future years, and the potential for better utilization and reduced claims—many business owners worry workers won't see the value in a plan where they're responsible for most of their up-front expenses.

To really convince employees that this is a good solution for them and their families, we need to show them how an HSA is actually better than some other health plans and tax-advantaged accounts they might already be familiar with. Here are a few.

Also read: Five reasons not to enroll in an HSA

(photo credit: renjith krishnan)

2. What you might not know about the PPACA

Yes, we've heard about the individual mandate—er, tax. A lot. And we know about Medicaid expansion. And the free birth control. And the state exchanges.

But there's a lot to President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. After all, the law is 2,700 pages long. Its provisions—and overall effects—will not only change America's health care landscape, but will have ripple effects in all other sectors.

With regulations that began back in 2010, when the law was passed, and dozens more being implemented through 2018, there's a lot to keep up with.

This article contains eight lesser known effects of the law.

Not surprisingly, other stories about health reform were among the most popular of the year. They include:

Health reform upheld

Will reform create a zombie wasteland?

Anatomy of a vote

Five states resisting reform

1. IRS announces 2013 HSA limits

The most popular article this year proves compliance is always important. In May, the IRS announced adjustments that affect health savings accounts in 2013. Find out what they are.