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Benefits 

 Latest News

Employers Adjust Health Benefit Strategies in Wake of Reform
Employers are making changes to their health plans as a result of health care reform coverage mandates, while many remain confused about some of the requirements and how they work.
 

Health Plan Cost for 'Typical' Family Hits $22,030
For the fourth consecutive year, the premium increase for family coverage through an employer-sponsored preferred provider organization (PPO) plan was over $1,300. Still, the 6.3 percent increase over 2012 represents a slowing cost trend.

Critics Say Obamacare May Encourage ‘Part-Time Society’
Some small employers are cutting hiring and employees’ hours in response to new health care reform coverage mandates for full-time employees, according to a Gallup poll released May 10.

DOL Issues Model COBRA Election and Exchange Notices
On May 8, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued an updated model COBRA continuation notice and a m
odel notice of coverage options through the soon-to-launch health care exchanges. The exchange notice must be provided to current and new employees beginning Oct. 1.
  

Match Thresholds and Default Rates Impact Savings
Employers can keep costs down and encourage more robust savings in auto enrollment 401(k) plans by getting creative with "stretch matching" and other design features.

Poor Worker Health Costs U.S. Businesses Billions
Lost productivity because of workers’ poor health is costing the U.S. $84 billion a year, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index that found more than two-thirds of workers reported having chronic health conditions or being overweight.

Rewards Pros Link Loyalty (Their Own) to Career Development
Much like the workforce they serve, HR total rewards professionals identify their own career training and developmental opportunities as key drivers of long-term loyalty.
 

Guidance Sought on Wellness Efforts and Anti-Discrimination Laws
More regulation is needed to stop wellness programs from violating worker-protection laws, labor advocates told the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at a May 8 hearing. Business advocates, meanwhile, sought protection for incentive-based wellness programs.  

Use of Outcomes-Based Incentives Up
Most employers say they are likely to adapt or increase their use of wellness program incentives tied to achieving health goals.

Open Enrollment HIPAA Action Items
Added to the open enrollment to-do list are more Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) employee notices and related procedures, required by final regulations issued earlier this year.

For 2014, Higher HSA Contribution Limits
The IRS announced higher limits for 2014 on contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) and for out-of-pocket expenses under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) linked to them.

Boosting 401(k) Plan Effectiveness
Eighty-four percent of plan sponsors identified improved participant education as a focus area for their plans, according to a new survey.

 Featured Articles

2013 Compliance:
For 2013, IRS Raises 401(k) and Pension Plan Limits
Wages Subject to Social Security Tax to Increase in 2013
For 2013, Higher Limits for HSA Contributions
IRS Issues Guidance on $2,500 FSA Limit for 2013

HEALTH CARE REFORM:
(For more, visit SHRM Online's Health Care Reform Resource Page
Proposed Rule Clarifies Minimum Value Determinations
New Guidance and Template for SBCs
Fewer Health Plans Still Grandfathered


HEALTH CARE COVERAGE & COSTS:
Workers Unprepared for Higher Costs
Managing Health Care Costs
Supreme Court Lets Health Plan Recover Auto Settlement
Levers of Change: Employers Respond to Shifting Health Care Landscape 

WELLNESS PROGRAM: 
Employers Link Premiums to Wellness 
Tax Implications of Wellness Rewards 
Mayo Clinic Study: Financial Incentives Further Weight Loss
From a Candy Culture to Health-Obsessed: A Wellness Convert's Tale 

LEAVE & DISABILITY MANAGEMENT:
Expansion of FMLA to More Relatives Proposed
Use FMLA Leave as an ‘Early Warning System’
DOL Releases New FMLA Model Forms and Notice Poster

RETIREMENT—DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS:
(For more, visit SHRM Online's Retirement Plans Resource Page
Render Retirement Plan Audits Painless
401(k) Loan Taking by 'Sandwiched' Employees
Handling Late 401(k) Plan Deposits

RETIREMENTDEFINED BENEFIT PLANS:
DOL Issues Annual Pension Funding Notice Requirements
More Pensions to Offer Lump-Sum Payout Windows

RETIREMENT PLANNING:
Retirement Confidence Stuck at Historic Lows
Increase' in U.S. Workers Delaying Retirement

PARTNER AND SPOUSE BENEFITS:
Same-Sex Marriage Cases Will Affect Benefits
Gay Partners Get Some Caretaking Leave
'Big Four' Firm Provides Tax Gross-Up Benefit to LGBT Employees

OTHER BENEFITS:
Disability Claims Rise, but Fewer Have Coverage
Vision Benefits: Valuable But Under-Used

REWARD STRATEGY:
Ancillary Benefits Viewed as Differentiator
Benefits Communication Pays Off
Benefits Strategies Grow
Benefits Outsourcing: Focus on the Employee Experience

Note: SHRM Online's full archive of benefits articles can be accessed via the list of benefits topics on the upper left side of this web page.

 Toolkits & Guides

 Discipline Overview

Read an overview of terminology and issues associated with benefits.

2013 Benefit Plan Reporting and Disclosure Calendar

 SHRM Resources

Health Care Reform Resources
Visit SHRM's Health Care Reform Resource Page for the latest news and information on how health care reform will affect employer-provided health benefits. Shortcut: www.shrm.org/healthcare

Compensation Discipline
Visit SHRM's Compensation Discipline for the latest articles and updates on compensation and monetary rewards. Shortcut: www.shrm.org/pay

Retirement Plans Resources
Visit SHRM's Retirement Plans Resource Page for the latest news and information on helping employees prepare for a secure retirement. Shortcut: www.shrm.org/retirement

Outsourcing and Contract Resources
Visit SHRM's HR Outsourcing & Vendor Relations Resource Page for the latest on outsourcing and managing vendor relations. Shortcut: www.shrm.org/outsourcing

Workplace Flexibility Resources
Visit SHRM's Workplace Flexibility Resource Page for the latest on addressing work/life challenges through flexible arrangements and other strategies. Shortcut: www.shrm.org/workflex 

Additional SHRM Resources
Pose your questions and discuss compensation issues with your HR peers on SHRM's HR Talk Bulletin Board: Compensation & Benefits. Visit SHRM Online's Benefits—Legal & Regulatory Issues. Join the SHRM Connect Benefits Group.

 External Newswire

 Featured Video

Consumer-Directed Health at Chrysler
Kathleen Neal, director of integrated health care and disability, says Chrysler helps control health benefit costs through its consumer-directed plan with a health savings account.

 Featured Webcasts

Upcoming:

A New Reality: Creating Financial Wellness in Your Organization
May 23, 2 p.m. ET
Presenter:
Katie Nedl, BlackRock; and Steve Ulian, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Sponsor: Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Recently archived: 

Using Recognition to Drive Employee Engagement
Presenter: Amelia Generalis, Achievers
Sponsor: Achievers

Health 'Gamification'
Presenter: Brian Berchtold, hubbub health
Sponsor: hubbub health

More Benefits webcasts

 Featured Store Item

Workflex: The Essential Guide to Effective and Flexible Workplaces

This guide includes research, legal, and experience-based perspectives and in-depth case studies of workplace flexibility as well the tools and techniques needed to translate those perspectives into action.

 E-Newsletter Sign-Up

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