Benefits

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Considering the Spousal Surcharge

By Mark McGraw

One of the ways employers are looking to contain healthcare costs is by levying surcharges on spouses who opt for coverage through their partners' insurance policies. This strategy may be effective, but HR must carefully communicate the reasons for these changes and prepare for employee pushback.

Are Employee Benefits Forever?

By Andrew R. McIlvaine and David Shadovitz

HR and benefit leaders gather in Las Vegas to explore their options as they chart a future course in healthcare and benefits.

Health or Consequences

By Mark McGraw

A recent Aon Hewitt survey finds many companies offering or planning to offer rewards -- and consequences -- for employee involvement in company health programs. Critics say this approach unfairly punishes some workers, but HR can play a key role in shaping employees' perception of -- and participation in -- incentive-rich programs.

Who Uses Out-of-Office Benefits More?

By Kristen B. Frasch

Recent research shows men use flexible, out-of-office benefits more than women. Experts say this points to a need for employers to get rid of old stereotypes and do a better job meeting all workers' non-work needs.

Get Fit . . .
Or Pay The Price

By Mark McGraw

Some companies have turned to coercive or mandatory wellness programs to push employees toward better health. And some employee groups have pushed back. Experts suggest employers and HR leaders be careful to design programs that reward healthy behaviors rather than punish unhealthy ones.

Is Brain Health the Next Big Thing?

By Kristen B. Frasch

Employers are just now starting to take notice of the merits of programs aimed at reducing employee stress -- and the costs associated with stress -- by training the brain to have a positive outlook.

The Lowdown on FSA Spending Limits

By Lin Grensing-Pophal

New caps on employee contributions to flexible-spending accounts should affect certain employees more than others, experts say.

A New Benefits Trend

By Andrew R. McIlvaine

Society's growing awareness and acceptance of transgendered people -- along with employee affinity groups petitioning their companies to offer them health benefits -- is helping to drive a new trend in benefits offerings.

Balancing Benefits Communication

By Mark McGraw

Recent research shows a majority of companies struggle with communicating benefits information to employees on a year-round basis. Experts urge HR leaders to incorporate the technology and tools at their disposal to make communication strategies more successful, and to document their efforts to ensure consistency.

COLAs Vanishing from Pension Plans

By Robert Stowe England

Cost-of-living allowances, or COLAs, while never a prevalent feature of private-sector pension plans, have declined sharply since the 1990s, according to new research.

More Benefits :

Benefits Column

Carol Harnett

Employee Benefits Lessons from My Mother

There are several practical things HR leaders can do to help employees reflect on life's death and dying phases -- both their own and the lives of those they love.

The Next Step in PB Management Feb 12, 2013

In the Aftermath of Sandy Hook Jan 14, 2013