Retirement & Benefits

Analysis  

American Airlines Pilot Sues Employer Over ESG Funds in 401(k) Plan

Alan Goforth |

In a class action lawsuit, the former employee alleges that 37% of his retirement savings were invested in BlackRock’s Target Date 2045 fund, which uses ESG considerations.

Employers Expect a 7% Hike in Healthcare Costs in 2024

Alan Goforth |

One notable change from last year is increased utilization because of delayed preventive or elective care during the pandemic, which declined from 12% to 4%.

Analysis  

Two-Year Delay! IRS Extends Looming SECURE 2.0 Catch-up Contribution Deadline

Alan Goforth |

After a lot of pushback from employers and retirement industry organizations on a key SECURE 2.0 catch-up contribution change for higher-income employees, the IRS announced an “administrative transition period.”

News  

Twitter Hit with ERISA Lawsuit for Failure to Pay Severance

Alan Goforth |

The lawsuit was brought by a former employee, who oversaw Twitter’s benefits program, on behalf of thousands of employees who were laid off after Elon Musk acquired the company late last year.

Analysis  

Might EVs Be the Next Big Employee Benefit Trend?

David Lewis |

Why some see promoting employees’ adoption of electric vehicles as the next frontier of corporate responsibility.

Analysis  

Denials of Health Insurance Claims Are Rising: Are Algorithms to Blame?

Elisabeth Rosenthal |

Insurers appear increasingly likely to employ computer algorithms or people with little relevant experience to issue rapid-fire denials of claims—sometimes bundles at a time—without reviewing the patient’s medical chart.

Expert Opinion  

Matching Emergency Savings: The Must-Have Benefit for 2023

Devin Miller |

When employees can’t pay for emergency expenses, they stress about money during working hours—which has ripple effects that impact not only their retirement savings, but also their ability to be productive.

Analysis  

Americans’ Retirement Confidence Level Hits Lowest Point Since 2008

Scott Wooldridge |

The confidence that workers and retirees have in their ability to finance their retirements has dropped significantly in 2023.

News  

Study Correlates Age, Job Experience with Frequency and Cost of Workers’ Comp Claims

Alan Goforth |

Amputations lead to some of the most expensive claims, costing nearly five times the average, followed by electric shock and multiple-trauma injuries.

Expert Opinion  

Weaponizing HIPAA Privacy

Craig Gottwals |

How health insurers hide behind HIPAA to avoid sharing claims data with employers, while farming every imaginable fact about plan members as they bid for those employers’ business.