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Source: Adobe Stock Surging benefit costs are straining company budgets. Next year, employers are projected to pay nearly 9% more per employee for health benefits — for the exact same coverage.  This increase comes just as workers are beginning to seek and expect quality benefits and personalization, due in part to the rapid and sweeping changes brought on by the pandemic. Today, 65% of workers worldwide are interested in better benefits and personalization, and nearly 40

Source: Adobe Stock After delaying a rule requiring high-income 401(k) savers aged 50 or older to make catch-up contributions in Roth accounts, the IRS has signaled that it will take effect starting next year. That gives financial advisers working with 401(k) sponsors or clients earning more than $145,000 less than two months to ensure a Roth account is available and help those clients decide whether to contribute to it, noted Jay Cirame, vice president of ERISA consulting at

Image: Adobe Stock Retirement has long been seen as a well-earned reward for decades of hard work. But leaving the workforce is still a distant dream for the majority of Americans.  According to a new survey from financial services organization TIAA, less than half of Americans expect to retire between the ages of 65 and 70. In fact, while 62% of respondents believe financial stability is achievable in their lifetime, just 37% think they will be able to retire in a realisti

Image: Adobe Stock As the 2026 open-enrollment season beckons, nowhere is the need for better benefits design more urgent than in the prescription drug arena — the fastest-growing portion of group health expenses for decades.  Centivo Co-founder Alan Cohen notes the exogenous effects of GLP-1s and specialty drugs that are driving up health care inflation. And with more employee cost shifting expected, he cautions that "we better get ready for 7% to 15% per year increases in

Image: Adobe Stock The cost of care remains a major concern for employees , many of whom avoid seeking treatment simply because they don't know what they'll have to pay.  Uncertainty around medical expenses can lead to delayed care, potentially turning manageable conditions into chronic ones. Without clear information, employees are left to navigate a confusing system on their own. Premiums vs. out-of-pocket Employees are facing increasingly difficult decisions when it come

Image: Adobe Stock Much like Amazon revolutionized shopping for goods and services, savvy benefit advisers have an opportunity to do the same for open enrollment. Holistic and curated benefit offerings are key to attracting and retaining younger generations, according to Chris Morbelli, EY's life and group insurance transformation leader, who cites EY-LIMRA research over the past two years to support this premise.  "We believe over time there are certain benefits more specif

Image: Adobe Stock Women are increasingly responsible for providing benefits and financial support to their families, but are frustrated with what's available through their workplace. Benefit managers play a key role in identifying and filling the gaps. Currently, fewer than 60% of women with a household income of less than $50,000 reported knowing enough about managing money , insurance and benefits, according to survey findings from financial solutions and insurance firm T

Image: Adobe Stock This week, benefit managers and HR pros are convening in Las Vegas for Employee Benefit News' annual conference,...

Image: Adobe Stock Diversity is key when it comes to generating income in retirement, advisers say. But across the board, one source of...

Image: Adobe Stock Healthcare in retirement isn't just a line item — it's one of the biggest financial risks employees face. Helping...

Image: Adobe Stock Older Americans are ramping up their IRA contributions, according to Fidelity's latest retirement analysis study ....

Image: Adobe Stock Employers are preparing for the steepest rise in health benefit costs in more than a decade. According to Mercer's...

Image: Adobe Stock Dan Figurski, president of KinderCare for Employers and Champions, has been with the child care provider for more than...

Image: Adobe Stock Employers today are doubling down on reducing costs and improving employee engagement . Our survey of more than 1,300...

Image: Adobe Stock The shift from remote work to hybrid or full-time office presence can be a challenging process. Assisting employees in...

Image: Adobe Stock For many employees and employers,  unlimited PTO  seems   like a benefit that's too good to be true — and they may...

Image: Adobe Stock USA Today made a splash in early June 2025 with an article about the approximately $1.7 trillion languishing in lost...

Krakenimages.com - stock.adobe.com As tuition and room and board fees continue to rise, college sticker shock has parents reaching for...

Adobe Stock Employees are slogging through the summer months, trying to beat the heat, keep their kids occupied and even take some time...

Adobe Stock In the mass shift to remote work and a bitter return to office for many employees, companies have turned to artificial...