2016 Employee Benefits Survey Offers Insight into Cost and Compliance Challenges

HANYS Benefit Services’ 2016 Employee Benefits Survey, Understanding the Strategic Value of Health Benefits, highlights the need to take a multi-faceted approach when designing a cost-efficient and competitive benefits package.

A benefits package must be structured in a way that is competitive and controls costs, without shortchanging employee health and wellbeing. To achieve this delicate balance, employers are increasingly seeking guidance on compliance and plan design.

“This survey helped call to attention the increasingly complex circumstances under which employee benefit plans are constructed,” said James J. Kelley, President, HANYS Benefit Services. “Employers still need to design plans that are cost effective without a negative impact on recruitment or retention of key employees. The message is clear that the best way to accomplish this goal is to use creative strategies and seek professional guidance on regulations.”

Register for our live webinar:

Retirement Plan Law Suits on the Rise

A number of prestigious colleges and universities, including several Ivy League schools, have recently appeared in the headlines as defendants in class action lawsuits relative to their retirement plans.

Starting in 2006, the law firm of Schlichter, Bogard and Denton filed a bevy of lawsuits against corporate giants relative to the 401(k) plans sponsored by each corporation. A common thread through all of the suits was excessive fees, but the overarching theme was the alleged failure on the part of the plan fiduciaries to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and obligations. Settlements have been reached in several of the suits, resulting in settlement amounts in the tens of millions of dollars.

Lawyers on behalf of retirement plan participants are now setting their sights on non-profit institutions, including one hospital in New York. This is a wake-up call to all non-profit organizations to make sure their retirement plan fiduciary oversight is robust and compliant.

Join this webinar to help you better understand and mitigate this often overlooked risk.The webinar will discuss:

• an overview of retirement plan litigation;
• the risk to the healthcare and not-for-profit industries;
• preventative measures to avoid litigation; and
• what the future may hold.

CLICK HERE to register 

Tuesday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m.

PRESENTER: James J. Kelley, President, HANYS Benefit Services

James Kelley directs all of the activities and services for HANYS Benefit Services. He has more than 20 years of experience in the institutional retirement market. Jim has spent much of his career working with healthcare and other not-for-profit organizations. He holds his New York State life, accident, and health and variable annuities license. He has his FINRA Series 6, 63, and 26 licenses. He is an accredited Plan Sponsor Retirement Professional. In Jim's role as senior executive for all HBS operations, he sets firm policy and has responsibility for all operations, customer service, and personnel for retirement plan services, employee benefits, and all other Advisory Services.

Register for our live webinar:

Employee Benefits Survey: Understanding the Strategic Value of Health Benefits

A benefits package must be structured in a way that is competitive and controls costs, without shortchanging employee health and wellbeing. To achieve this delicate balance, employers are increasingly seeking guidance on compliance and plan design.

This survey helped call to attention the increasingly complex circumstances under which employee benefit plans are constructed. However, employers still need to design plans that are cost effective without a negative impact on recruitment or retention of key employees.

Join this webinar to learn insight around key employee benefits topics for consideration during the upcoming open-enrollment period and review key takeaways from the 2016 HBS survey:

• Employee benefit regulations and laws created trouble spots for employers.
• Employers are relying on shared responsibility to offset increased employee health insurance costs.
• Employers are viewing their wellness efforts more holistically and creatively.
• There is a need for guidance on regulatory and legislative compliance.

CLICK HERE to register

Thursday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Presenter: Theresa Reiser Director, Employee Benefits

Ms. Reiser leads the benefits team at HBS, overseeing both new business and account management. She brings more than 13 years of broker experience and seven years of carrier experience to her position. Ms. Reiser leads her team in plan strategy, renewal negotiation, product placement, and implementation. She holds a life, accident, and health license and is certified in the New York State SHOP Exchange. Ms. Reiser’s areas of expertise include strategic planning for self-insured programs, healthcare reform/Affordable Care Act consultation, and regulatory compliance.

UPDATED REPORT! Report Offers Steps for Building an Optimal Retirement Plan Investment Menu

A retirement plan’s overarching goals are to help participants accumulate wealth during their years of employment and to provide them with income during their retirement.

The challenge for fiduciaries is to successfully navigate the options available and build an optimal investment menu that is designed to guide participant choices and improve their retirement readiness. Since plan fiduciaries may be exposed to personal liability, it is prudent to have a process in place for the selection and monitoring of investment options.

HANYS Benefit Services has outlined a four-step process for constructing an optimal investment menu that:

• fosters ERISA compliance;
• provides desirable investment choices for plan participants; and
• impacts retirement outcomes.

Read 4 Steps to Building an Optimal Retirement Plan Lineup for Participants to learn more. If you have any questions, or would like to begin talking to a retirement plan advisor, please get in touch by calling (800) 388-1963 or e-mail us at hbs@hanys.org.