VisionMonday

Employer-Provided Health Coverage Declined Over Past Decade

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

NEW YORK—The percentage of Americans who receive health insurance through employers fell significantly over the past decade, from 69.7 percent in 2000 to 59.5 percent in 2011, according to a new report by the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

As Health Care Reform Moves Forward, Be Prepared for an Overload of Information

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK—If employers find that explaining benefits to their employees is challenging now, then they should brace themselves for fall enrollment when workers are expected to receive an avalanche of marketing materials from insurers, health insurance exchanges and government agencies in anticipation of health care reform, according to experts.

MetLife Study Offers Insights Into Employee Benefit Trends

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:08:28 GMT

NEW YORK—While only two out of five U.S. workers would strongly recommend their organization as a "great place to work," those who did so were three times more likely to be satisfied with their benefits, according to MetLife's 11th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends.

Be Proactive to Avoid Litigation

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:10:00 GMT

Employment lawsuits continue to rise and along with them, the costs associated with these actions. What can a company do to reduce its employment litigation expenses?

IRS Issues Proposed Rules on Employer Tax Under Affordable Health Care Act

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:30:00 GMT

In January, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service published proposed rules and new questions and answers providing guidance with respect to the employer “shared responsibility” excise tax under section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code, which was added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and is effective beginning in 2014. 78 Fed. Reg. 217 (January 2, 2013).

Reminder: Additional Medicare Tax Effective January 1, 2013

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Additional Medicare Tax under section 9015 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act takes effect January 1, 2013.

HHS to Give States More Flexibility to Set 'Essential Health Benefits'

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:46:21 GMT

NEW YORK—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an Essential Health Benefits Bulletin and related fact sheet on Dec. 16, 2012, outlining proposed policies intended to give states greater flexibility to implement the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Workplace Future: Bonuses Instead of Raises; More Teleworkers, Fewer Desks

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:27:00 GMT

Faced with tight budgets and an uncertain economic climate, employers are increasingly turning to bonuses and performance-based pay as a strategy for retaining top-performing workers. A new WorldAtWork study shows that variable pay – a category of compensation that includes bonuses and other performance-based pay – was used by 82 percent of employers this year. That is an increase from 79 percent a year ago.

Wages Subject to Social Security Tax to Increase in 2013

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:15:00 GMT

Instead of a raise, some employees may see their take-home pay shrink in 2013 due to higher Social Security and Medicare taxes.

The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $113,700 from $110,100 as of January 2013, the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on October 16, 2012.

Google Survey Examines Social Media Use in Business

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:35:00 GMT

While some business leaders and journalists believe that social media sites waste time, distract from work and drain a company’s resources, others just as firmly believe that social media has become critical to conducting business in the digital age.

Social Security Statements Now Online

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched a portal that enables individuals who have paid into the Social Security system to view their personalized earnings and benefits information. The new online Social Security Statement replaces the annual paper statement that was suspended for those between the ages of 25 and 60.