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Benefits Magazine is a monthly magazine that covers benefit issues affecting multiemployer, single employer and public employee plan representatives. Health care, retirement, financial literacy and other related topics are addressed. The magazine includes cases studies and profiles of those shaping the industry, as well as
Legal & Legislative Reporter. Benefits Magazine is free to International Foundation members. The digital version is available to both International Foundation and ISCEBS members.
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All links below are to members-only content.
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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Impact on Employers and Plan Sponsors
by Stacie M. Kalmer and Katherine R. Kratcha
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed in response to the spread of COVID-19 and remains in effect until December 31, 2020. This article reviews the key provisions affecting employers and plan sponsors. COVID-19: Emerging Collection Issues for Multiemployer Plans
by Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
This article is based on an April 1, 2020 webcast presentation by Travis Ketterman, GBA, attorney with McGann, Ketterman & Rioux in Chicago, Illinois. Structuring Student Loan Repayment Benefit Programs
by Daniel R. Salemi, Michael Gorman and Gena Yoo
Student loan debt is a major strain on the financial health of many Americans and may prevent some from saving adequately for retirement. Employers are finding creative ways to help ease the burden through student loan repayment benefits. Amplifying Benefit Communications With Data Analytics
by Jillian R. Otten
Data from website traffic and social media interactions offers valuable information that benefits organizations can use to increase the effectiveness of their communication efforts. Culture and Gender Issues in Retirement Savings
by Brenton Harrison
Women and minorities often face unique obstacles in saving for retirement, including individual and systemic challenges. By providing voluntary benefits and targeted education, employers can take steps to help workers overcome these barriers. Using Benefits Automation to Improve the Employee Experience
by Colleen Davenport, CEBS
Automating the benefits enrollment process and other human resources functions has the potential to improve employee engagement while increasing administrative efficiencies and streamlining compliance. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Finding the Right Tool for the Job: Helping Employees With Retirement Planning
by Mark Dennis and Anna M. Rappaport
Retirement planning tools, such as calculators, can help workers determine whether their savings and investments are keeping them on track for a successful retirement. What factors should employers consider when choosing a tool for their employees? Managing DC Plan Loans
by Paul O. Catenacci and Greg Jenkins
Plan loans are an optional means of early access to defined contribution (DC) account balances, but they come with risks to both plan sponsors and plan participants. Roth Trends Revisited: Divergence Between Sponsors and Participants
by Daniel Schwallie, Ph.D.
The percentage of defined contribution plan sponsors offering Roth contributions continues its upward trend. Will employee participation rates follow? Infrastructure Ten Years On: What Have We Learned?
by Monte E. Tarbox, CEBS
Infrastructure remains an attractive investment for investors seeking returns similar to those of private equity as well as dependable cash flows. The author offers lessons learned over the last ten years as considerations for institutional investors evaluating their allocations to this asset class. The Resurgence of Health Care Coalitions
by Josh Bindl, Fred G. Brown and Kristina D. Gaughan
Amid continuing consolidation in the health care industry, plan sponsors and employers may look to health care coalitions to help them gain a better footing in negotiations with insurers and health care providers. Transforming the Employee Benefits Landscape With Digital Health
by Louise Short, M.D.
The digital health umbrella covers a wide scope, from patient diagnostics to administrative tasks. Employers that want to implement digital health tools should have an understanding of their potential opportunities and complexities before investing in these rapidly developing applications. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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NADAC Pricing: A New Tool for Prescription Drug Cost Management
by Kenneth B. Berry and A. J. Loiacono
Using the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) as a fair benchmark for prescription drug prices holds potential for improving transparency and saving money for health plans. In Pursuit of Inclusivity: Working With Apprentices With Disabilities
by Rhandi Berth
By offering hands-on, practical learning opportunities, the apprenticeship model inherently accommodates individuals who learn differently. However, registered apprenticeship program sponsors can’t rely on happenstance inclusion, as new regulations require them to revisit their processes for recruiting and selecting people with disabilities. Combating Opioid Abuse in the Workplace
by Selin Hoboy
The opioid crisis reaches into the workplace, but employers often feel unprepared to deal with opioid misuse. Employers should consider offering education about the risks and signs of abuse while also updating both workplace policies and benefits to address this challenge. Utilization Management and Vision Care: Moving Outside the Routine
by Elizabeth Klunk
A utilization management program for vision care can help plan members see beyond the traditional benefits of a routine eye exam. Simple Steps for Powerful Trustee Communications
by Sheri Wright
When trustees take a mindful, deliberate approach to board communications, they can develop key messages that reach the right audiences at the right time. In turn, this can help to mitigate risk, increase organizational reputation and empower members. Special Feature: Retire Early or Late Deciding whether to retire early or continue working up to—or beyond—the traditional retirement age requires workers to carefully consider many factors. This article, which is excerpted from the new edition of
Ready or Not: Your Retirement Planning Guide, published by the International Foundation, addresses this important decision. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Cryptoassets: A Viable Asset for Pension Funds?
by Gregory Leonberger and Brandon Von Feldt
Should pension funds consider investing in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin? The authors provide some basics on this developing asset and discuss the risks and opportunities it may present for institutional investors. SRI Investments in 401(k) Plans: High Demand, Low Supply
by Gregory D. Wait, CEBS
Despite growing demand for sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investments from participants, a small percentage of 401(k) plans provide such options in their investment menus. The author reviews the challenges that plan sponsors face in incorporating these investments in their plans and suggests possible approaches. COBRA Administration: Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid
by Jaclyn Cooksey
Failing to comply with COBRA regulations—from notification requirements to determining who is eligible for coverage—can be costly. Here’s a list of ten mistakes that can trip up employers. Engaging and Monitoring Health Plan TPAs: Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations
by Karen L. Handorf and Julie S. Selesnick
The Department of Labor has begun showing more interest in investigating ERISA health plans, including the fees third-party administrators charge to self-funded health plans. Recent litigation provides some guidance for plan fiduciaries. Artificial Intelligence in Employee Benefits
by Elliot N. Dinkin
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool in helping workers make better benefits decisions, but plan sponsors should be aware of its limitations and risks. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Global Juggling Act: Managing Employee Benefits for Smaller Foreign Subsidiaries
by Wil J. Gaitan
As the number and scale of their international operations increase, U.S. multinational enterprises (MNEs), particularly small and midsized companies, may struggle with managing benefits for staff spread throughout the world. The author provides strategies that can help MNEs address this challenge. The Key to Trust: Social Engineering Fraud and Modern Threat Detection
by Sarah A. Sargent and Justin P. Webb
Cybercriminals are increasing the use of social engineering in their attempts to steal sensitive data. This article discusses the risks and trends in social engineering–related fraud and offers three steps every organization should take to address data security. State-by-State Individual Mandate Reporting Compliance: A Cautionary Tale
by Kyle J. Scott
A growing number of states are enacting individual health care coverage mandates, which may create reporting and data privacy headaches for employers. 2020 Vision for Health Care Plan Compliance: What to Expect This Year
by Liliana Salazar
What’s ahead for health plan compliance this year? The author provides a list of the major changes in regulations that plan sponsors must be ready for in 2020. Preventing Violence and Mitigating Stress in the Workplace
by Bobbi Kloss
Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace for employees. The author discusses preventive measures employers can take to reduce the risk of workplace violence and create a psychologically healthy work culture. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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