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Most Emailed Benefits Management News

Average PPO cost per family hits all-time high: Milliman

Published May 15, 2012 CST

While cost increases for families enrolled in employer-sponsored preferred provider organizations have slowed since 2010, average total costs per family still hit an all-time high, according to a report released Tuesday by Seattle-based Milliman Inc.

Towers Watson to purchase Extend Health, operator of private health insurance exchanges

Published May 14, 2012 CST

NEW YORK (Reuters)—Towers Watson & Co. said on Sunday it would buy Extend Health Inc., operator of the largest private Medicare exchange in the United States, to boost its health benefits offering for employers.

Couple retiring in 2012 needs $240,000 to cover medical expenses: Fidelity

Published May 09, 2012 CST

A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 without employer-provided retiree health insurance will need about $240,000 to pay future medical-related expenses, Fidelity Investments said in an analysis released Wednesday.

More employers offering wellness initiatives: Study

Published May 11, 2012 CST

While more companies are turning to wellness programs to curb employee medical costs and improve their workers' general health, relatively few are measuring the actual return on investment those programs generate, according to a study by the Brookfield, Wis.-based International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Regulators provide guidance on summary of benefits rules

Published May 14, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON—Adding additional certainty to previous guidance, federal regulators made clear last week that they will not impose financial penalties on employers that do not fully comply with health care reform law requirements that will require them to distribute to employees a new summary of benefits and coverage statement.

Employers urge Congress to pass pension funding relief legislation

Published May 15, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON—More than 200 employers and trade associations have signed a letter urging federal lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow pension plan sponsors to use higher interest rate assumption in valuing plan liabilities, cutting plan contributions by billions of dollars.

N.J. governor vetoes state health insurance exchange legislation

Published May 11, 2012 CST

TRENTON, N.J.—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday vetoed legislation, that would create a state health insurance exchange where insurers could provide coverage to individuals and small employers.

PBGC moves to take over Dewey & LeBoeuf's pension plans

Published May 10, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON—The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said Thursday that it intends to take over and terminate three underfunded pension plans sponsored by financially ailing law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf L.L.P. in New York.