Patient protection reform could mean higher health care costs

Of the endlessly debated provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the requirements for Medical Loss Ratios stand out for insurance companies because the requirements are designed to dictate how those companies pay their bills. A new study sheds light on the MLR rule; read as experts weigh in.

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Labor Dept. bends on 401(k) rule, insurers cheer

The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday withdrew a controversial proposal to subject financial professionals to a higher standard of care when advising companies on their retirement plans, bowing to pressure from securities industry groups and lawmakers.

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How do clients assign advisers value?

One of Mark Lacher's clients introduced him as "the firm that does all our insurance and a million other things for us." Is that how clients see your relationship too? Read in today's BeAdvised as Lacher shares three inter-related areas he believes should become the units of measurement going forward.

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TV talk, benefits style

After going through all the normal marketing steps for his firm — direct mail, email and referral promotions, among others — benefits broker Jim Edholm has added another: videos. In the September issue of EBA he explains why this is a good thing for other brokers to do as well.

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Helping clients avoid outlasting their retirement funds

Financial planners can prove their worth if they find ways to lessen the chance that their clients will not outlive their retirement funds. David Blanchett, director of consulting and investment research for the Retirement Plan consulting Group of Unified Trust in Lexington, Ky., last week detailed how planners can implement sustainable withdrawal strategies so that retirement income works for their clients.

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Want to read EBA on the go? We have an app for that

The Employee Benefit Adviser App is a must-have resource for benefit brokers, advisers and consultants who help employers build and manage their group benefits programs, be they health, retirement, voluntary or non-insurance. Download an Android or iPhone app today!

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