The Obama administration's decision to delay implementation of the employer mandate of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act until 2015 unleashed a new round of criticism from conservative lawmakers but was welcomed by some of the biggest names in benefits and insurance.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., said "the administration's sudden turnabout is a clear admission that its signature law is bad for business and bad for jobs. This law will never be ready for prime time and sadly, the administration's acknowledgement that it still needs yet another year clearly disrupts everyone's ability to determine what is best for them and their business."

Brokers said this delay will have consequences for the private marketplace.