Human Resources: Retirement Benefits

Thompson’s Entire HR and Benefits Library -- Now Just a Click Away
Thompson is launching an online version of their entire HR library. The site is fully searchable, hyperlinked and updated daily.

HOLDING BACK THE ‘GOLDEN’ YEARS New Survey Indicates Majority Plan to Postpone Retirement
For many workers, retirement won’t mean an end to their careers. Only one in three workers (34 percent) polled said they plan to quit work entirely once they’re ready to retire from full-time employment, according to a just-released survey.

Do You Have Room to Drive Down 401(k) Costs?
Hidden fees and undisclosed costs are eating away at 401k balances. . . how do you get the most of the plan? RSM McGladrey has some suggestions.

Adding Annuities May Be Next Frontier in 401(k) Plans
Faced with the possibility that a growing number of employees will outlive their income in retirement, companies will likely consider offering annuities as a new investment option in their 401(k) plans, say experts at Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm.

Martin Schmidt has joined Buck Consultants as Director in its Chicago office.
Schmidt joins Buck from MAS Advisors. His expertise includes defined contribution plan design, vendor selection and management, plan implementation and administration, M&A issues, and product development. In addition to 401(k) plans, Martin has consulted in the 403(b) and 457 plan markets.

Agreement Provides Services for 15,000 Pension Plan Members
ExcellerateHRO Signs Contract Extension with TOTAL in the UK for Benefits Administration Outsourcing

Al Phelps has joined Buck Consultants' Chicago office as Principal.
Phelps joins Buck from Mercer Human Resources Consulting, where he had served in its Chicago and Mexico City offices. His expertise includes global benefits plan design, valuations, mergers, acquisitions, and compliance issues.

Pension Plan Freezes Slowing, Watson Wyatt Finds Most Firms Committed to Keeping Plans
The rate of pension plan freezes among FORTUNE 1000 firms has slowed, and the majority of companies with defined benefit plans are committed to keeping them. These are the findings of two new studies by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm.

Thinking of Retiring on the Beach? Start Saving Now.
Most U.S. employees know they should save more for retirement. However with the personal savings rate at negative 1.4 percent (www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/pinewsrelease.htm), individuals are spending more than they earn, depleting their savings and increasing debt.

ACS/Buck to Provide Lafarge Canada With Pension Plan Administration Services
ACS/Buck, one of Canada’s leading human resource and benefits consulting firms, today announced that it has been retained by Lafarge to continue providing administration services for Lafarge’s Canadian defined benefit pension plans. ACS/Buck has provided services to Lafarge since 1997.

New Consulting Service Launched at 59th Annual SHRM Conference to Help Human Resource Managers
New Consulting Service Launched at 59th Annual SHRM Conference to Help Human Resource Managers and Benefit Consulting Firms Address Long Term Healthcare Planning in the Workforce

Cammack LaRhette Consulting Sponsors Learning Series Aimed at 403(b) Plan Sponsors
Cammack LaRhette Consulting is launching its 403(b) Learning Series to help Plan Sponsors better understand their responsibilities and better manage their retirement plans in a time when 403(b) plans are under pressure from government regulation, media attention and legal challenges.

COMPANIES SEEK MORE CONSISTENCY IN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, WATSON WYATT FINDS
Regulatory Differences Pose Challenges to Broader Pension Governance

Phased Retirement Programs are Becoming Easier to Implement
Companies benefit by retaining skills, while mature workers get more options.

Assessing New Health Care Options
Retirement benefits just aren't what they used to be... and that's not a bad thing. Financial Planners are finding that health benefits in retirement aren't on the employers list. Saul Simon has more.

Phased Retirement Programs are Becoming Easier to Implement
Phased retirement may just be the answering to keeping mature talent. Read more from a study by the Conference Board

Laying the Groundwork for Your Future
A long-term capital strategy can lay the groundwork for retirement or another venture.

Retirement Benefits or a High Salary?
Would an employee choose a higher salary over impressive retirement benefits? Transamerica Retirement asked and shares some suprising answers.

SIMON SAYS® - Keep Your Estate Plan on Track
For today's business owner, death can mark the beginning of a significant tax problem. Saul Simon examines options for your estate plan.

New Year's Resolutions for Employers to Consider for their Retirement Plans
Bob Melia, Vice President of Product Strategy for Lincoln Employer Markets, shares tips on New Year's Resolutions employers may want to consider for their retirement plans.

Auto and Home Insurance –Fitting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
It is expected that almost all major US companies and most small businesses will migrate from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ benefits plan to flexible benefit programs with voluntary offerings within a matter of a few years: from HR.com and Liberty Mutual.

The Future of Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefits plans (DB) should be and must be preserved in order to meet our obligations as employers, as governments in preparing the American public for a financially secure retirement; a transcript of an educational webcast by Jeff Chad.

As Retirement Lifestyle Expectations Fall, Savings Stress Rises
Survey from Mercer HR Services prompts development of new educational program and employer initiatives.

Court Holds Full Disclosure Must Accompany Reduction-In-Force Waivers
The Tenth Circuit recently held that a release of claims was not effective under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) because the release contained inaccurate information regarding the group of employees subject to a Reduction in Force (RIF); The Keller And Heckman LLP Employment Law Alert.

The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security 2006
Cited as Leaders in Wellness, Workplace Guidance, "Auto Pilot" Retirement Savings

Japan to Overhaul Premiums for Senior Healthcare
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) is planning a new, separate national health insurance system for the elderly; from PacificBridge.

Malaysia: Law to Extend Benefits to More of Workforce
On July 31, 2006, Malaysia´s Minister of Human Resources, Dr. Fong Chan Onn, said to reporters that the government had drafted an amendment to the Employment Act which would raise the "salary ceiling" to 2,000 ringgit per month (about US$550); from PacificBridge.

America and Retirement - Advantages of Saving Through a 401(k) Account
This summer has proven to be a hot time for hiring - data from the ADP National Employment Report, a count of private employment in the United States, has shown hiring strength across all industries during the last few months, Kim O´Hare, ADP Retirement Services.

CCH Analysis: With House Passage It's Now Up to Senate to Move on Pension Reform
Estate tax, minimum wage and tax break extensions all get nod from house, but Senate expected to resist, according to CCH.

NCOA Praises House Action on Older Americans Act and Its Emphasis on Benefits Outreach
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) commends the House of Representatives for passing the Senior Independence Act (H.R. 5293) without dissent.

Korea: Government Puts Forward Pension Reforms
Faced with mounting deficits in its pension funds, Korea´s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is calling for reforms to its national pension fund; from Pacific Bridge.

Problem Gambling Among Nation´s Elderly on the Rise

Employees Call for Improved Benefits Communications Based On Life Stage
MetLife´s recently released Employee Benefits Trend Study 2005/2006 highlights significant findings: more than 80% of employees believe their companies need to provide better benefits education to enable workers to select the best benefits options.

Do Retirees Need a New Investment Strategy?
Saul Simon points out that it isn´t necessarily smart to change your investment strategy when you retire by shifting your portfolio completely out of stocks into less volatile, "income" investments like bonds and cash equivalents.

Most Workers Content with Compensation Package, Yet Many Yearn for Flexible Schedules
Hudson survey of 10,000 reveals trends in pay, health & retirement plans, and non-traditional benefits.

Hewitt Hot Topics: Canada Federal Budget 2006
The Federal Budget offers temporary funding relief to certain defined benefit plans in an attempt to balance plan sponsors' interests with the need to ensure the security of pension benefits.

Emotional Stages of Retirement
A Conversation about the Workplace and Retirement Plan Implications of the Emotional Stages of Retirement with Rusty Field, Vice President of Financial Education and Planning Services.

Incentives Motivate Human Resource Departments to Reduce Costs
Motivating human resource departments with incentives to reduce costs will give them a reason to research alternative health care systems and reduce insurance premiums, writes Ryan Kennedy.

"Great Eight" Tips for Improving 401(k) Plans
401(k) Advisors Inc. urges employers to review retirement plans as part of National Employee Benefits Day.

Retiree medical coverage in jeopardy?
To comply with new rules and control balance sheet liabilities, Brown Rudnick outlines issues that governments will need to consider.

Care Focused Purchasing Presses Ahead With Agenda
Employers and health plans provide momentum for health care quality initiatives

Changes in Retiree Health Care Coverage for Canadian Companies Imminent
Hewitt survey finds increased cost-sharing, reductions in medical coverage and stricter eligibility requirements are likely courses of action.

Retirement Planning-Are Today's Employees Prepared for Tomorrow's Retirement?
Jeff Chad discusses retirement planning: defined as the process of gathering financial data and lifestyle information including leisure, volunteer work and full- or part-time paid work.

Benefits Governance
Governance comprises processes and systems by which organizations of all sizes operate. From HR.com´s Jeff Chad.

Trends in Employee Benefits: What's Hot and What's Not
HR.com´s Jeff Chad discusses using employee benefits as a tool to attract, retain, and grow good employees.

The Changing Face of the American Workplace: Baby Boomers Are Turning 60
Now, as the baby boomers begin to celebrate their 60th birthday, it is more important than ever that employers understand the changing health and benefits needs of this demographic, writes Ronald S. Leopold.

Government Announces Mandatory National Pension Plan in Thailand
According to the proposal, all employees and employers in Thailand will have to contribute to the fund; from Pacific Bridge.

Changing The Employee Mindset From Entitlement to Engagement: It Can Be Done!
New Guide Features Tips To Motivate Workers To Make Critical Benefits Decisions

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
When employees leave your organization, it's more costly than you realize. Gone are their skills, education and qualifications along with other intangibles like their experience, creativity and productivity at work, writes Tim Rutledge.

Let 'em Eat Aspirin
With health care costs rising faster than nearly any other business expense line item - up 59 percent between 2000 and 2004 - many employers are wielding the ax to health benefits; from Mark I. Schickman and M. Lee Smith.

Companies Working to Comply with the New Retirement Age in Japan
In April 2006, Japanese companies will be required to give their employees the option to work until they turn 65; from Pacific Bridge.

HighRoads Announces $8 Million in Series-B Financing
Round Reflects Market Imperative for Solutions and Services that Lower Employee Health & Welfare Costs