Acquisitions, mergers, job changes in the employee benefits industry: Companies and individuals are starting to make good on this year's resolutions, whether taking on new roles, acquiring new companies, or becoming partners, in health insurance, retirement, and areas related to employee benefits. Here's news of just a few:

The Worldwide Broker Network (WBN) announced the addition of Axco as an Associate Member of the world's largest network of independent commercial insurance brokers and employee benefits consultants. A division of Wilmington plc, Axco secures information on a market by market basis to deliver the most accurate, reliable and up-to-date information available on insurance and employee benefits. It is the 12th Associate Member in the WBN Network. WBN's 12 Associate Member Firms specialize in related disciplines, including worldwide captives; global engineering services; risk and loss management services; insurance brokerage management, analysis and mergers & acquisitions; international legal services; actuarial services; forensic accounting; and international employee benefits.

Registered investment advisor (RIA) firm Mercer Advisors announced the acquisition of two RIA firms – Murray & Co. based in Austin, TX, and Pinnacle Investment Management based in the greater Hartford-CT area.  These transactions increase Mercer's client assets to approximately $11.6 billion, with 7,800 clients nationwide.  Murray & Co. was founded in 1999 by Dean Murray and has since grown to AUM of $85 million.  The firm's clients include high net worth individuals and families, endowments, non-profit foundations and corporate pension funds.  Mr. Murray and his team will be joining Mercer.  Pinnacle is a comprehensive investment management and financial planning firm providing wealth management services to individuals and institutions around the globe.  Pinnacle has over $180M in AUM.  Pinnacle Founder and CEO John Eckel and his entire team will be joining Mercer.