Employee-Paid

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plummeted last week to 352,000, the fewest since April 2008. The decline added to evidence that the job market is strengthening.

With television lights glaring, 20 lawmakers will gather next week to revisit the fight that consumed Congress before Christmas over renewing a Social Security payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.

In the thick of a much-publicized contract dispute and controversial merger, The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association announced Tuesday it has launched a new ad campaign to highlight the value of pharmacy benefit managers.

Republicans would cut federal employee benefits. President Barack Obama would raise fees for airline passengers and eliminate Saturday mail delivery. Democrats in Congress would charge employers higher premiums for federal pension guarantees.

State employees would pay more into their underfunded pension plan if the Virginia General Assembly approves a proposal by Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Applications for weekly unemployment benefits spiked last week, largely because companies let go of thousands of workers after the holiday season.

U.S. employers stepped up their hiring in November, though they advertised fewer jobs for a second straight month. The mixed data suggest the job market has strengthened but employers remain cautious.

A burst of hiring in December pushed the unemployment rate to its lowest level in nearly three years, giving the economy a boost at the end of 2011.