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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.
Join today! In addition, subscriptions are available. |
All links below are to members-only content. 
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Held for Ransom: How One Organization Responded to a Cyberattack
by Tim Worke and Mike Schechter
Nearly every organization is vulnerable to a cyberattack. This article tells the story of how one organization dealt with a ransomware attack. Coming to Grips With Blockchain
by Michael Stoyanovich and Frank E. Tanz
Blockchain is more than just a buzzword, and benefits organizations should begin familiarizing themselves with the concept. The authors explain the basics of this much-hyped technology and describe its potential applications. Navigating a Benefit Suspension Application Under MPRA
by Michael Reilly
Applying for a suspension under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA) is a lengthy and complicated process. This article describes the steps one pension fund went through to apply for benefit suspensions. Three Simple Strategies for Adopting a Passive Investment Consulting Approach
by Brian A. Schroeder
Changing the investment management structure or adopting a rules-based approach may allow plan sponsors to eliminate many of the problems associated with active investment consulting. Helping Employees With Chronic Pain
by Jeff Krauss, M.D.
Traditional treatment options have proven ineffective in resolving chronic pain for many people. The author states that an approach that incorporates education, behavioral and physical therapy has proven to be more effective than options such as opioids and surgery. What Works Best to Help Millennial Employees Achieve Financial Security?
by Rick Garnitz
Many Millennial employees may be more concerned about reducing debt and gaining financial independence than planning for retirement. The author suggests strategies plan sponsors can use to help younger employees reach their short-term goals and allow them to shift their focus to the long term. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Target-Date Funds: Help Plan Participants Hit the Mark
by Deb Rosenberg, CEBS
As the popularity of target-date funds continues to grow, defined contribution plan sponsors should make sure their plan participants understand how to best use these investments. DC Plans Encourage Lifetime Participation Through Individual Retirement Advice
by Corey Wirth, CEBS, and Jim Singer
Recognizing a need among their participants, the boards of trustees for a group of retirement funds in Missouri and Illinois have implemented a program that provides individual retirement advice to participants. Who Foots the Bill? The Courts Weigh In on Withdrawal Liability
by John E. Mossberg
The definition of who or what constitutes an employer for withdrawal liability purposes has expanded over the last several years. The author reviews recent court decisions on this topic. Against Common Sense: The Expenses Putting Your Apprenticeship Program at Risk
by Jennifer E. Germaine
Failing to properly evaluate apprenticeship program expenses can cause programs to run afoul of Department of Labor and ERISA regulations. Beyond Defaults: Using Behavioral Economics to Improve Health Outcomes
by Steve Vernon
Health education programs may not successfully move participants to action to address the health challenges they face. This article, the second in a two-part series, discusses how plan sponsors can use behavioral economics to help participants make better health care decisions. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Ten Tips to Boost Telehealth Engagement
by Reid Rasmussen
An increasing number of employers are offering telehealth programs, but convincing employees to use the benefit can be a challenge. Multiemployer Plans and the Working Spouse Rule
by Hans F. Kraabel, CEBS
The working spouse rule is a cost-control tool that’s getting a fresh look from many multiemployer health plans. This article provides tips and detailed examples for plans considering implementing such a rule. Targeted Communication: How NFL Player Benefits Moved the Goalposts
by Bethany Marshall, CEBS, and Alyssa Hodder
Creating benefit communication materials that capture the attention of workers requires a thoughtful, personalized approach. This article describes how the NFL Players Association revamped its communication strategy. Transforming Health Care Through Value-Based Reimbursement
by Ross D. Weiler
The value-based health care movement appears to be gaining momentum. In addition to providing an update on the state of value-based care in the United States, this article offers a framework for evaluating value-based reimbursement arrangements. Beyond Defaults: Using Behavioral Economics to Improve Retirement Outcomes
by Steve Vernon
For retirement plans, the field of behavioral economics has demonstrated the power of autoenrollment features to increase plan participation. Plan sponsors can put other insights into action using research on plan participant behavior to help workers start saving earlier, determine how much to save and decide when to retire. Protecting Employee Data in the Digital World
by Paige Schaffer
Identity fraud is a workplace issue. Employers have a responsibility to protect the employee data they collect, but they may also want to consider providing identity protection services as an employee benefit. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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Benefit Communications: Getting Started With Data Analytics
by C. Anton Ames
Using data analytics to create targeted benefit communications can be a successful strategy for plan sponsors looking to improve participant engagement. The Evolution of Reference-Based Pricing
by Kenneth B. Berry and Ryan Day
The use of reference-based pricing (RBP) to pay for health care services has grown over the last decade. This article discusses how RBP approaches have changed and improved over time, helping plan sponsors negotiate better prices for health care services. The Forgotten Network: Taking a Second Look at Health Plan Ancillary Networks
by Robyn Bartlett
When considering a change in medical carriers, health plan sponsors should pay close attention to how the switch will affect the relationships their participants have with ancillary health care providers. A Mature-Cycle Playbook: Three Investment Strategies for Multiemployer Plans
by Doug Kramer
In this advanced investment article, the author offers three investment strategies for multiemployer benefit funds looking for strategies to help their fund portfolios withstand equity market volatility. Developing Workplace Financial Wellness Programs
by Gerald J. Wernette, CEBS
Are you considering working with a recordkeeper or third-party vendor to implement a workplace financial wellness program? This article describes key questions to address before getting started as well as commonly used program approaches. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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The Ins and Outs of Providing Medical Coverage to a Globally Mobile Workforce
by Lisa F. Burkard, CEBS
Employers have an increasing responsibility or duty of care to ensure that employees have adequate medical coverage and assistance services while they’re living and working internationally. This article discusses the available options and factors companies should consider when designing a medical program for their mobile workforce. The Basics of Global DC Plan Oversight
by Iain Jones
As a growing number of countries develop regulations governing defined contribution (DC) plans, multinational companies should consider creating a global DC governance plan. The author provides a simple framework for developing such a plan. Down at the Crossroads: Where Student Debt Meets the 401(k)
by Steven E. Grieb, CEBS
Funding a student debt benefit through a qualified retirement plan has become a hot topic for discussion as employers search for ways to recruit and retain young workers who may be struggling with student loan debt and failing to save enough for retirement. Preventing and Detecting Participant Fraud
by Leslie C. Kirsch and Christopher J. Rosetti
One of the most common types of participant fraud occurs when ineligible people receive pension or health benefits. Fortunately, benefit funds have multiple options for spotting and stopping this kind of fraud. Financial Stress and Three Generations in the Workforce: How Employers Can Help
by Christy DeFrain
Financial stress affects the three main generations in the workforce in different ways. Plan sponsors have an opportunity to help all three generations through employee benefits—including financial wellness programs. - Legal & Legislative Reporter
Printable Issue [PDF]
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