Most Active Articles 2009-11-24T20:18:01.853-05:00 Business Exchange Business_Exchange@businessweek.com urn:com:businessweek:bx:topic:most-active:employee-benefits Lou Tosto ltosto624 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:4374805661941148774-da7f1e417c3acdc460c3ac0f313f53c6 2009-11-10T13:55:11.246-05:00

Employment-Based Retirement Plan Participation: Geographic Differences and Trends, 2008 November 2009 EBRI Issue Brief #336 Paperback, 40 pp. PDF, 675 kb Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2009 Download Issue Brief PDF Executive Summary...

Employment-Based Retirement Plan Participation: Geographic Differences and Trends, 2008 November 2009 EBRI Issue Brief #336 Paperback, 40 pp. PDF, 675 kb Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2009 Download Issue Brief PDF Executive Summary... http://ebri.org/publications/ib/index.cfm?fa=ibDisp&content_id=4402 Lauren Young lyoung404 11 10 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:18312408350350158857-c8580be4d7d4848040fe1f6571fc70d7 2009-11-10T09:33:18.028-05:00

Most employers are not spending enough time and money to retain their management talent.

Most employers are not spending enough time and money to retain their management talent. http://www.coachingtip.com/2009/11/drivers-of-retention.html John Agno jagno444 7 6 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:17230125618257941335-932097fbd63f65e7b0fb84a166f3740d 2009-11-12T15:55:59.921-05:00

Code Section 162(m) generally imposes a $1 million per year limit on the deduction a public company can take for compensation paid to certain executive officers. However, compensation is exempt from the $1 million limit to the extent it constitutes "qualified performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m).

Code Section 162(m) generally imposes a $1 million per year limit on the deduction a public company can take for compensation paid to certain executive officers. However, compensation is exempt from the $1 million limit to the extent it constitutes "qualified performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m). http://images.jw.com/ealert/erisa/2009/1112sm.html Michelle Steckel msteckel015 6 6 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6072501078463935619-9aa09befb72a0e1d7658737355b43ea7 2009-11-10T19:33:50.299-05:00

The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Boston College's Sloan Network have all reported recently on a "doom loop" with respect to employee health and productivity.

The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Boston College's Sloan Network have all reported recently on a "doom loop" with respect to employee health and productivity. http://blog.winningworkplaces.org/blog/winning-workplaces/0/0/the-new-employee-health-productivity-doom-loop Mark Harbeke mharbeke724 5 5 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:3719151637537209742-b392e327e9a9c83dfd9728ca7281a80a 2009-11-03T12:21:10.867-05:00

There is no reason for an employer to freeze a defined benefit plan that it is otherwise inclined to continue.

There is no reason for an employer to freeze a defined benefit plan that it is otherwise inclined to continue. http://www.humanresourcesiq.com/article.cfm?externalid=1423&shownewswindow=1&mac=HRIQ_Ext_SMO_BX_Q409&SID=BX&utm_campaign=BX&utm_medium=SMO&utm_source=e-bim&utm_content=Nov3news&utm_term=BX Katherine Mehr (HR IQ) kmehr217 12 12 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:14827668838534901348-69ee177c28b1f1c47515d5b9d4802535 2009-10-26T10:39:56.641-04:00

How Corporate America Can Support Workers in a Recession Posted by: Lauren Young on October 23 We all know times are tough. What, if anything, is Corporate America doing to support its overworked and underpaid workers—especially Working...

How Corporate America Can Support Workers in a Recession Posted by: Lauren Young on October 23 We all know times are tough. What, if anything, is Corporate America doing to support its overworked and underpaid workers—especially Working... http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2009/10/donna_klein_exe.html Lauren Young lyoung404 20 19 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:11753280851703307768-5074e62f5507c05aff4fd16e3c126e53 2009-10-27T16:20:05.834-04:00

As the Great Recession continues to devour jobs at an alarming rate, tales are legion about the millions of unemployed struggling to right their lives and recover their self-esteem. But what happens to those left behind? Would it surprise you to...

As the Great Recession continues to devour jobs at an alarming rate, tales are legion about the millions of unemployed struggling to right their lives and recover their self-esteem. But what happens to those left behind? Would it surprise you to... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_44/b4153065919516.htm Lauren Young lyoung404 16 15 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10781854612968525478-7cf47ed9ca53ed68c8569d62c5fb1b55 2009-10-30T22:42:10.287-04:00

Jumping off Penelope Trunk's argument that "Being a non-profit is no excuse for treating people poorly," we look at three that treat their workers well – and benefit financially from doing so.

Jumping off Penelope Trunk's argument that "Being a non-profit is no excuse for treating people poorly," we look at three that treat their workers well – and benefit financially from doing so. http://blog.winningworkplaces.org/blog/winning-workplaces/0/0/nonprofit-does-not-have-to-mean-substandard-benefits Mark Harbeke mharbeke724 11 11 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6191682222109677919-431df4022ea2579552ba52fb85f22a66 2009-10-22T15:44:18.101-04:00

Parenting 101: How to Be a Better Boss at Work and Home Posted by: Lauren Young on October 22 This post was written by Shari Storm, author of Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss. This economy is throwing new...

Parenting 101: How to Be a Better Boss at Work and Home Posted by: Lauren Young on October 22 This post was written by Shari Storm, author of Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss. This economy is throwing new... http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2009/10/tips_for_being.html Lauren Young lyoung404 9 8 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:2537327065661120833-9432e6001c36967bf42eae3e8e95388b 2009-10-20T10:27:05.662-04:00

Totes/Isotoner's CEO Douglas Gernert tells Working Mother, "We haven't responded to a lot of the noise out there because we didn't think it was appropriate to speak out about the case," and he believes his company's family friendly culture was unfairly bashed.

Totes/Isotoner's CEO Douglas Gernert tells Working Mother, "We haven't responded to a lot of the noise out there because we didn't think it was appropriate to speak out about the case," and he believes his company's family friendly culture was unfairly bashed. http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewAdvancedPortalPage/PortalBlocks/dlinkArticle&sp=S2769&sp=537 Lauren Young lyoung404 4 3 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:4520351758968264973-627fa532f16a96021003f17c02ee1e0c 2009-09-23T11:46:16.105-04:00

In a trend that is likely to continue, nearly half of U.S. companies are automatically enrolling workers into 401(k) plans to encourage them to save for retirement, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. The survey also found that the number of companies that use target-date or lifecycle funds as their default investment option has increased sharply in the last few years.

In a trend that is likely to continue, nearly half of U.S. companies are automatically enrolling workers into 401(k) plans to encourage them to save for retirement, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm. The survey also found that the number of companies that use target-date or lifecycle funds as their default investment option has increased sharply in the last few years. http://www.watsonwyatt.com/research/resrender.asp?id=WT-2009-13327&page=1 Lauren Young lyoung404 10 6 0 4 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:5648260110795774982-035629173431a56eba05c55e32306e6a 2009-10-19T11:41:39.561-04:00

Unemployment for people with disabilities has reached its highest rate since January, according to a quarterly study by Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

Unemployment for people with disabilities has reached its highest rate since January, according to a quarterly study by Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services. http://www.allsup.com/Portals/4/allsup-study-income-at-risk-q3-09.pdf Lauren Young lyoung404 2 1 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:6800734179551303524-34e184da567383bcac900f375be3e8d9 2009-10-19T11:54:18.308-04:00

Dear Dan: "We’d like to offer health insurance at our small business, but the whole topic scares me. We’re uncertain what the choices are, what plan might be best, and what the costs might be. Can you help?"

Dear Dan: "We’d like to offer health insurance at our small business, but the whole topic scares me. We’re uncertain what the choices are, what plan might be best, and what the costs might be. Can you help?" http://blogs.business.com/whatworks/2009/health-insurance-basics-small-business/ Daniel Kehrer dkehrer628 6 6 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:15787793266518263194-cf5e724adf195a16a5909afb69497a25 2009-10-08T08:10:34.179-04:00

U.S. businesses struggling to cover their employees' medical needs can expect no relief next year. The cost of insuring employees will rise by 7%, greater even than the 6% increase in 2009, according to a just-released survey by management...

U.S. businesses struggling to cover their employees' medical needs can expect no relief next year. The cost of insuring employees will rise by 7%, greater even than the 6% increase in 2009, according to a just-released survey by management... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_42/b4151050123430.htm John A. Byrne jbyrne076 3 2 1 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13306494928638882922-7d0f8a77a3364091664a5ecc2a62a6cd 2009-10-08T22:07:09.517-04:00

Despite the economic upheaval, employer matching contributions were unchanged in 2009 in 90% of the 401(k) plans recently surveyed by Aon Consulting. Of the remaining plans that provide employer matching contributions, 3% increased their match and 7% decreased it.

Despite the economic upheaval, employer matching contributions were unchanged in 2009 in 90% of the 401(k) plans recently surveyed by Aon Consulting. Of the remaining plans that provide employer matching contributions, 3% increased their match and 7% decreased it. http://hr.cch.com/news/pension/100809.asp Suzanne Woolley swoolley541 2 1 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:16443066730168010545-e5b0d0e5d34f81cec500ca615faccecd 2009-10-08T22:01:02.846-04:00

Of the 600,000 401(k) plans in the United States, many, if not most, have hidden fees that are ripping off the participants and the advisors who administer the plans, says David Loeper, author of several books on financial advice for consumers and advisors.

Of the 600,000 401(k) plans in the United States, many, if not most, have hidden fees that are ripping off the participants and the advisors who administer the plans, says David Loeper, author of several books on financial advice for consumers and advisors. http://www.fa-mag.com/fa-news/4556-401k-participants-advisors-hurt-by-high-fees.html Suzanne Woolley swoolley541 2 1 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:999132506442305229-28dd4adc464fb18d4adb001cdb0ef316 2009-10-08T22:14:28.451-04:00

Beginning Jan. 1, people who make more than $100,000 will be able to move assets into Roth accounts for the first time since the investment vehicles were created 10 years ago. Almost nine out of 10 investors are unaware of the opportunity, according...

Beginning Jan. 1, people who make more than $100,000 will be able to move assets into Roth accounts for the first time since the investment vehicles were created 10 years ago. Almost nine out of 10 investors are unaware of the opportunity, according... http://www.thestreet.com/story/10608381/1/confusion-about-roth-iras-abounds.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN Suzanne Woolley swoolley541 1 0 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:9591767446248190484-3a366db27d52f35f6f53b5565d736507 2009-09-22T12:19:05.718-04:00

Working Mother magazine has released its 24th annual list of “100 Best Companies” today, with a dose of controversy on the side. One question hovering over the recession was whether family-friendly policies would take it on the chin, and the...

Working Mother magazine has released its 24th annual list of “100 Best Companies” today, with a dose of controversy on the side. One question hovering over the recession was whether family-friendly policies would take it on the chin, and the... http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/whither-flexible-work-in-a-recession/?src=twt&twt=nytimesMagazine Karyn McCormack kmccormack660 7 6 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:4427021065996720142-8cfbd5e1ec10c8932a0fa892b5f41cfd 2009-10-06T10:40:27.439-04:00

Washington, DC, October 6, 2009 - American workers who held 401(k) accounts consistently from 2003 through 2008 suffered a 24.3 percent average drop in their account balance during 2008’s bear market, according to a report released today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI).

Washington, DC, October 6, 2009 - American workers who held 401(k) accounts consistently from 2003 through 2008 suffered a 24.3 percent average drop in their account balance during 2008’s bear market, according to a report released today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI). http://ici.org/pdf/per15-02.pdf Lauren Young lyoung404 4 0 0 4 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:3817721172871141592-51c654d5c7d247eb5c4d579e019967b6 2009-09-22T11:30:29.539-04:00

NEW FAMILIES AND WORK INSTITUTE STUDY REVEALS DECLINES IN THE HEALTH OF AMERICAN WORKFORCE Report presents findings by wage level and gender and finds effective workplaces contribute to positive health; New York, NY, September 22, 2009 – In the...

NEW FAMILIES AND WORK INSTITUTE STUDY REVEALS DECLINES IN THE HEALTH OF AMERICAN WORKFORCE Report presents findings by wage level and gender and finds effective workplaces contribute to positive health; New York, NY, September 22, 2009 – In the... http://familiesandwork.org/site/newsroom/releases/healthreportrelease.html Lauren Young lyoung404 8 3 0 5 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:15924907801355855566-35c4f327f4e37b69336120a85b214a8b 2009-09-30T14:23:06.622-04:00

Even in good times, it can be tricky to navigate the waters of personal finance. And yet, amid the devastation wrought by the Great Recession to investment and college-savings accounts—not to mention dashed vacation dreams and retirement goals—only...

Even in good times, it can be tricky to navigate the waters of personal finance. And yet, amid the devastation wrought by the Great Recession to investment and college-savings accounts—not to mention dashed vacation dreams and retirement goals—only... http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/sep2009/pi20090929_616550.htm?chan=investing_investing+index+page_top+stories Karyn McCormack kmccormack660 2 1 0 1 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:971972738476913134-ac548277628fb221030c50e9fa41cefe 2009-09-30T11:05:51.005-04:00

AARP Closer LookSM is a nationwide survey program, commissioned by AARP, to understand the effect of social and economic changes among middle-aged and older Americans. AARP Closer LookSM consists of a quarterly “core” tracking survey and topical surveys that look at specific issues for the 45+ population related to health, finances, and livable communities.

AARP Closer LookSM is a nationwide survey program, commissioned by AARP, to understand the effect of social and economic changes among middle-aged and older Americans. AARP Closer LookSM consists of a quarterly “core” tracking survey and topical surveys that look at specific issues for the 45+ population related to health, finances, and livable communities. http://www.aarp.org/research/surveys/money/econ/trends/articles/closer_look.html Lauren Young lyoung404 4 1 0 3 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:14526599334866454054-bf07b262a7bfe9f4425ff21c512d4441 2009-10-08T22:09:44.792-04:00

The amount of money employers have to contribute to defined benefit pension plans could soar over the next couple of years unless Congress eases plan funding rules, according to an analysis released Wednesday. The Watson Wyatt Worldwide analysis estimates employers will have to contribute $89 billion to plans in 2010 and $146 billion in 2011.

The amount of money employers have to contribute to defined benefit pension plans could soar over the next couple of years unless Congress eases plan funding rules, according to an analysis released Wednesday. The Watson Wyatt Worldwide analysis estimates employers will have to contribute $89 billion to plans in 2010 and $146 billion in 2011. http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20091007/NEWS/910079988 Suzanne Woolley swoolley541 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10361860524456707096-2c63f1ce6bd76c82a30f14da2806c93a 2009-10-08T21:55:56.216-04:00

American workers with 401(k) accounts saw their savings ravaged during 2008's bear market, though people with accounts for at least five years saw smaller declines, according to a report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Investment Company Institute. The average account balance for all participants in the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database at the end of 2008 was $45,519, down 30% from a year earlier. Yet, the decline was less than the 37% drop posted last year by the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index.

American workers with 401(k) accounts saw their savings ravaged during 2008's bear market, though people with accounts for at least five years saw smaller declines, according to a report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Investment Company Institute. The average account balance for all participants in the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database at the end of 2008 was $45,519, down 30% from a year earlier. Yet, the decline was less than the 37% drop posted last year by the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091006-707830.html Suzanne Woolley swoolley541 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:46661058687553275-8646ed1dfbf09193608acbbcb3f0be0a 2009-09-29T15:35:15.481-04:00

Do Kids with Disabilities Strain or Strengthen Our Schools? Posted by: Anne Newman on September 27 So what goes through your mind when you see a child with cerebral palsy using a wheelchair, an adolescent with the social short-circuiting of...

Do Kids with Disabilities Strain or Strengthen Our Schools? Posted by: Anne Newman on September 27 So what goes through your mind when you see a child with cerebral palsy using a wheelchair, an adolescent with the social short-circuiting of... http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2009/09/kids_with_disab.html Lauren Young lyoung404 2 0 0 2