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The Benefits and Wellness Bulletin (BWB) is dedicated to helping you explore new ideas around wellness and benefit offerings.

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Naylor Association Solutions
BENEFITS
World at Work
Plan sponsors have reservations about taking a more active role in encouraging specific levels of saving and providing retirement saving or income projections. Fiduciary concerns are a primary roadblock.
 
Greg Stohr, Employee Benefit News
In a ruling that may help investors press lawsuits over underperforming funds and excessive fees, the U.S. Supreme Court said 401(k) plans have a duty to monitor the investment options they offer. 
 
The OptumVoice Team, Forbes
According to the 2013 Milliman Medical Index, annual medical costs for a family of four are now higher than a year of groceries. 
 
Paula Aven Gladych, Employee Benefit News
"If employees are not well prepared for retirement, it should be a major concern for both employees and their employers," said Diane Swisher, senior communications consultant at Sibson Consulting.
 
Karen Croke, Lohud
Mark Rollins knows the impact volunteerism can have on a community, from the smallest works of individuals to the collective power that a large corporation can put behind the effort.
 
Andrea Davis, Employee Benefit News
Whatever employers have spent to comply with the Affordable Care Act so far, some feel the costliest years are yet to come.
 
Richard Stolz, Employee Benefit News
It’s a myth that older workers cost significantly more than younger workers, says AARP. And while such a conclusion might be expected from an advocacy group whose members fall into that demographic, it’s based on an empirical review of a variety of metrics for employee productivity and cost including employee benefits.
 
Gil Lowerre and Bonnie Brazzell, BenefitsPro
There's no doubt about it: There's strong demand among both employers and employees for voluntary/worksite products. Buying intentions are strong and the untapped market potential is vast. 
 
World at Work
Most people from both Generation X and the baby boomer generation believe that the traditional definition of retirement is a "romantic fantasy of the past."
 
World at Work
An examination of the savings records of 4.4 million retirement plan participants at 553 companies found that 25 percent of employees miss out on receiving the full company 401(k) match by not saving enough – leaving an estimated $24 billion in unclaimed 401(k) company matches on the table each year.
 
Alex Assaley, Employee Benefits News
There's a lot more to employee benefits than just filling out a form for health insurance. From the retirement plan to health insurance to even some newer, more unique benefits such as transportation reimbursement or flex time, all aspects of your benefits package should be taken into consideration.
 
Dan Cook, BenefitsPro
Do companies want employee engagement? Or it is just something bosses want to believe exists? Because it may be that many employees don’t think their supervisors want them to be engaged in their work.
 
Benefit Express
CULTURE OF HEALTH
Scott Wooldridge, BenefitsPro
Wellness benefits have become a mainstream offering for most large companies. Smoking cessation, nutrition, fitness and health screenings all have been embraced by employers as a way to address health care costs and improve employee loyalty.
 
World at Work
Can working parents really have it all, achieving success in both their careers and as parents? Seventy-eight percent of working moms and 83 percent of working dads say "yes," but the definition of success differs between the genders.
 
Kathleen Lees, Science World Report
New findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that financial incentives could help smokers quit more so than other preventative measures alone. 
 
Ron Shinkman, FierceHealthFinance 
Is there a connection between one's financial and medical health? That is something an online private insurance company will explore by providing consumers with a combined financial and health score. 
 
Vik Bakhru, U.S. News & World Report
Money woes can lead to mental and physical health declines, but taking action protects your body – and wallet. 
 
Jamie Nichol, Business 2 Community
Countless case studies illustrate how employees who participate in wellness programs contribute to lower healthcare costs, decreased attrition and higher productivity.
 
Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY 
The government has reversed its stance and said employer-sponsored wellness programs don't necessarily discriminate against workers. But businesses offering the plans to their employees are still struggling to show the programs can cut health care costs. 
 
Dan Cook, BenefitsPro
Are most wellness plans designed to make people with health risks healthier? Whether or not that is the intent of plan designers, new research suggests that healthy employees don’t think wellness plans are worth participating in.
 
Tom Murphy, Insurance Journal
Employers may one day help determine if employees’ genes are why their jeans have become too snug.
 
eightWest Staff, WoodTV
Many things can cause stress in our lives: Work, money, health, relationships. With so many sources of stress, it can be challenging to find time to relax and disengage. But if stress isn’t dealt with properly, it can have negative effects on your mental health down the road. That’s where Dr. Timothy Royer from Neurocore may be able to help! 
 
Kevin Harrington, Forbes
It seems every time we turn around, there is a buzz about "corporate wellness." I have heard it so many times that I wonder if people are becoming skeptical and leery of it being a marketing ploy. However, I know the importance of health in business as I practice a healthy lifestyle and know the positive impact on my bottom line.
 
Krista Yoder Latortue, Huffington Post The Blog
Employee wellness programs are becoming an accepted and essential component of organizations. While studies continue to emerge regarding best practices for employee engagement, one thing is clear: Prevention is effective and has become the nucleus of wellness programs. 
 
Dan Cook, BenefitsPro
If all the young people in the U.S. who are currently obese maintain that status throughout their adult lives, the societal cost will be more than one trillion dollars.
 

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