Julie Egbert has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's San Francisco officeEgbert joins Buck from SAP America, Inc., where she served as Principal.
Buck Consultants Survey: Health Care Costs Projected to Increase at Double-Digit LevelsCosts for the most popular types of health care coverage are projected to increase at double-digit rates through the remainder of 2007 and into 2008, according to a national survey of insurers and administrators.
Mark Strakowski has joined Buck Consultants Mark Strakowski has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Cincinnati office.
403(b) Plan Workshop A New World for 403(b) PlansSunGard announced the schedule for the 2007 403(b) Plan Workshop. The IRS has issued final 403(b) regulations, replacing existing guidance dating back 40 years.
ACS and Wealth Management Systems Inc. to Offer Enhanced IRA and Annuity ServicesAffiliated Computer Services, Inc. announced today that it will leverage the technology of Wealth Management Systems Inc. (WMSI) to offer an innovative suite of distribution options that allow retirement plan participants to research and select the financial institution to which they will roll over their retirement assets.
Susan Minis has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in its New York City office. Minis joins Buck from the New York City Comptroller’s Office, where she served as Director of Fixed Income and Rebalancing.
42.8% of Corporations Offer Some Type of Consumer-Driven Health Care OptionNew survey looks at employee benefits offered in several employment sectors.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Michigan organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 80.1 to 93.5 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
Thomas Burke has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in its Pittsburgh office. Burke joins Buck after having worked as an independent consultant for several years. Prior to that, he served with Mercer Human Resource Consulting as a Principal. His expertise includes design and implementation of employee compensation, performance management, and recognition programs.
The Online 401(k) Salutes the Champions of 401(k) Fee DisclosureAs part of its public crusade against hidden fees, The Online 401(k), (www.theonline401k.com), the nation’s leading provider of full-service Web-based 401(k) plans for small businesses, today recognized the top three champions for the full disclosure of hidden 401(k) fees.
FieldMedia, LLC to Launch New Web 2.0 Websites for the Benefits and Compensation CommunitiesFieldMedia, LLC to Launch New Web 2.0 Websites for the Benefits and Compensation and Consumer Directed Healthcare Communities
In partnership with HR.com, CDHC and Benefits and Compensations Solutions Publications move into a new interactive online environment.
FieldMedia, is pleased to announce the launch of their two newly redesigned websitesIn partnership with HR.com, CDHC and Benefits and Compensations Solutions Publications move into a new interactive online environment.
Linda Ulrich has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in its Secaucus, N.J. office. Ulrich joins Buck from MassMutual Financial Group, where she served as Director of Compensation for its U.S. Insurance Group.
AmeriHealth Mercy Teams with Health Career Professionals, LLC to Staff New Health ProgramAmeriHealth Mercy, the nation's largest family of managed Medicaid plans has retained Franklin, Tennessee based Health Career Professionals, LLC to fill more than 50 open positions for the Indiana CareSelect Program, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Paul Baugher has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in its St. Louis officeBaugher joins Buck from Towers Perrin. His expertise covers the full range of retirement plan issues, including plan design, valuations, forecasting, and accounting standards.
Rob Goren has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in its Atlanta officeGoren joins Buck from CompBenefits Corporation, where he served as Vice President and Actuary, and was responsible for managing the company’s actuarial, dental underwriting, and vision underwriting departments.
MassMutual Will Introduce Fiduciary Warranty to the Defined Contribution Market in Fourth QuarterWarranty Will Apply to Group Annuity and Registered Products in MassMutual's Smart Architecture(SM) Investment Program
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.
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 MembersExcellerateHRO 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 PlansThe 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.
Plan Options MainACS/Buck to Provide Lafarge Canada With Pension Plan Administration ServicesACS/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.
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.
The 17th annual Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS)The survey, released today, is sponsored by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Mathew Greenwald & Associates, with underwriting support from Ameriprise Financial.
2007 Retirement Confidence Survey: Many Workers See, But Ignore, Retirement System ChangesRetirement savings inaction exposes a need for financial planning
Watson Wyatt Worldwide is urging Congress to prevent the (DOE) from resurrecting a policy Watson Wyatt Worldwide is urging Congress to
prevent the Department of Energy (DOE) from resurrecting a policy that
undermines government contractors’ ability to provide guaranteed retirement
benefits to their workers and conflicts with long-standing public policy
supporting employer-sponsored pension plans
Lincoln Employer Markets Announces Strategic Hires in the Group Insurance TeamLincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) recently named six new members of its Lincoln Employer Markets Group Insurance team in its Omaha and Atlanta offices.
Lincoln Employer Markets Announces Strategic HiresLincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) recently named six new members of its Lincoln Employer Markets Group Insurance team in its Omaha and Atlanta offices.
Defining Their Contribution: What Companies Offer Employees for RetirementWith the projected strain on social security, employees should plan to contribute more to their retirement savings.
PENSION ACT REGULATIONS COULD MEAN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR 401(K) SPONSORS, WATSON WYATT SAYSNearly Half of Surveyed Employers Would Have to Change Default Investment Programs
Richard Lemieux has joined Buck Consultants' Secaucus, New Jersey office as Director in its Global CLemieux joins Buck from PricewaterhouseCoopers in France.
Number of Employers With Large Pension Risk Levels Declined Between 2003 and 2005Pension health will likely continue to improve due to the rise in interest rates
and strong stock market returns in 2006, coupled with new investment
strategies and increased employer funding.
Mercer's 2007 Guide to Social Security and Medicare now available35th edition provides simple explanations with easy-reference tables
Tom Shjerven Selected as 2007 President for International Society of Certified Employee Benefits ValueOptions announced that Tom Shjerven, its Vice President of Commercial Sales, has been appointed to serve as President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) for 2007.
Executive Summary:Graying of SocietyRising life expectancies and low fertility rates are combining to create a lopsided population that will impact the world economically, politically and socially in the years ahead.
Jeff Gabrione appointed to head Americas Manager Research Appointment coincides with increased demand for alternative investment research
HRPAO survey finds companies support the end of mandatory retirementNew law to take effect December 12, 2006 in Ontario
Pension Reform 2006 and the Impact on 401(k)s Web ConferenceThe recently enacted Pension Protection Act and its impact on benefit administration is the topic for discussion in this upcoming Xtalks web conference Pension Reform 2006 and the Impact on 401(k)s.
Ameriprise Financial Survey Finds Increased Benefit Costs Continue to Drive Down Worker Retirement Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP) today released the findings of its most recent study, Benefit Cost Increases: Impact on Worker Financial Health and Retirement Savings, to correspond with benefits open enrollment season for many employers.
Live web seminar on the 2006 Pension Protection Act Signed into law on August 17, 2006. Many provisions effective immediately!
China HR and Recruiting Issues Webcast: November 15, 2006 The pace of change in China has continued to accelerate.
MassMutual Offers Comprehensive Education Resources in Response to Pension Act In response to the recent Pension Protection Act (PPA) legislation, MassMutual Retirement Services has developed a comprehensive education program to help plan sponsors, financial professionals and participants understand the impact of the legislation on defined contribution and defined benefit plans and to provide tools and resources to help them address the resulting challenges and opportunities.
China HR WebcastWith its rapidly expanding economy, China has continued to be a hotspot for manufacturing products at lower costs.
Group Retirement Savings: Desjardins Financial Security education program wins award of excellenceDesjardins Financial Security's Destination - Take Control of Your Retirement program for Group Retirement Savings participants approaching retirement won an award of excellence at the 2006 Insurance & Financial Communicators Association (IFCA) Awards Competition. The judges commented on the originality and effectiveness of the concept.
ERISA FIDUCIARY COMPLIANCE FROM ASPEN PUBLISHERS OFFERS DETAILED GUIDANCE, VALUABLE TOOLSNow there's a reliable resource for 401(k) and 403(b) plan administrators that shows them how to meet their fiduciary responsibilities and avoid fiduciary liability.
SELIGMAN EXTENDS TARGETHORIZON ETF PORTFOLIOS SM TO 2035 AND 2045Seligman Advisors, Inc. today announced the addition of two new funds to Seligman TargetHorizon ETF PortfoliosSM, a series of mutual funds that offers a comprehensive product solution to plan sponsors and retirement plan participants.
Employers Underestimate Possible Retention Risk Relating to Health,More than half of U.S. workers are worriedtheir health care benefit costs will increase and the scope of theirbenefits will decrease over the next few years.
Recruiting Survey: As Worker Loyalty Fades, Personality Fit is Critical for Hiring and RetentionWhitepaper summarizes survey findings that show high employee turnover stems from short-sighted hiring practices.
- Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP) announced that personalized stock plan education programs, have been shown to dramatically increase the value employees attribute about their employee stock optThe Todd Organization AnnouncesMike Curran Joins Board of DirectorsFounder and Retired CEO of Executive Benefit Services, Inc. Brings VastExpertise and Vision to Leading Nationwide Specialty Firm
MassMutual Earns Top Marks in Boston Research Group's DCP 2006 Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty StudyMassMutual has scored well above the industry average in 10 categories in Boston Research Group's DCP 2006 Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study.
The Prudential Forum Sparks Innovation in the Relocation IndustryMore than 550 relocation industry specialists from around the world gathered recently at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., for The Prudential Forum, a three-day networking event hosted by Prudential Relocation, a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE: PRU] business.
Meridee J. Maynard Joins Board of Directorsof The Todd OrganizationSenior Vice President-Life Product at Northwestern Mutual BringsFar-Ranging Expertise on Business Planning and Financial Management Issues
MassMutual and Clients Win Highest Number of Signature Awards from Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of AmericaPSCA Signature Awards competition honors excellence in retirement plan communications and education
Wil Gaitan has been named Buck Consultants´ Regional Manager for Latin America.In this role, Gaitan is responsible for managing the firm's business in that geographical region and deepening relationships with affiliates.
Save the Date: September 8 is National 401(k) DayThe Principal Reminds Employers to Help Workers Save For Their Future
The Principal Financial Group Waives Health Savings Account FeesEncouraging new participation, consumer driven health care is now more affordable
Principal Financial Group Encourages Americans to Seek Financial Security this SeptemberThird-annual Life Insurance Awareness Month Recognized
Nurse Anesthetists Seek Flexibility, Financial Rewards: Recruiting Firm Survey Shows Most CRNAs Would Repeat Career ChoiceCRNAs (certified registered nurse anesthetists) enjoy flexibility and generous compensation, according to survey results released today by recruiting firm LocumTenens.com. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the 417 full- and part-time CRNAs responding to the recruiting firm's recent on-line questionnaire said they have worked as a locum tenens (temporary) anesthesia provider, while another 28% said they would consider it. Based on its 2006 survey, LocumTenens.com pegs the average annual U.S. nurse anesthetist salary at $164,172, a 10% increase over the 2005 average of $149,147.
The Todd Organization Appoints Ward Russell President; Veteran of National Executive Benefits Consulting Firm Has Extensive Experience with Client Service and Product DevelopmentThe Board of Directors of The Todd Organization, a nationwide leader in the design, financing, and administration of supplemental retirement plans and other executive benefits, today announced that Ward Russell has been named President of the firm.
Robert Besancenez has joined the St. Louis office of Buck Consultants as a Director in the Health and Welfare Practice.Besancenez joins Buck from Huntleigh McGehee, a regional brokerage firm, where he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Analyst. Prior to that, he was a Senior Consultant with Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
New CCH Pension Reform Book Provides Timely, Complete Coverage of Pension, Tax ChangesCCH announced today it will offer a new book, the CCH Law, Explanation and Analysis of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, providing valuable information, insight and analysis on the massive new law.
Alan Vorchheimer has joined the New York office of Buck Consultants as Principal in the Retirement practice.Vorchheimer returns to Buck from Ernst & Young, where he served as Principal in the Human Capital Practice. He previously served with Buck Consultants from 1992 to 1999. His expertise includes HR process redesign, outsourcing, vendor selection, HR risk management assessment, and new business development.
Do-It-For-Me Principal LifeTime Funds Achieve Five-Year MilestoneAnniversary Marked by Strong Demand, Rapid Growth, Solid PerformanceBuck Consultants to Provide Illinois Teachers´ Retirement System With Retirement Plan ServicesBuck Consultants, an ACS company and one of the world´s leading human resource and benefits consulting firms, announced today that it has been retained by the Illinois Teachers´ Retirement System (Illinois Teachers) to continue providing actuarial and retirement consulting services. Buck has provided services to Illinois Teachers for 16 years. More than 328,000 active employees and retirees participate in the Teachers´ Retirement System.
Watson Wyatt Urges Congress to Seize Opportunity to Shore Up Nation's Pension SystemNew Analysis of FORTUNE 1000 Firms Shows Continued Shift to 401(k)s
Retirement Saving Now Easy As 1-2-3Ultra-Simple Enrollment from The Principal Helps Increase Savings and Participation Eases Worries and Administrative Burden for Plan Sponsors
Major corporate pension plans maintain funded status despite weaker equity performanceWeaker recent equity performance is offset by pension accounting impact of rising interest rates
Proposed pension and retiree medical accounting rule change would reduce shareholder equity and produce greater reported volatility, due to "mark to market" impact on financials
Your Retirement Nest Egg Can Fund a Franchise, Says StartupJournal.com ReportThe Employee Retirement Income Security Act allows potential franchisees with limited liquid savings to start a franchise without outside help according to a new report published by StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal´s guide for entrepreneurs.
Who Can You Trust: Companies Build Credibility with Stringent Certifications, SAS-70 AuditAmCheck (http://www.amcheck.com), national provider of Payroll Services and HR Solutions, completed SAS 70 Audit - an internationally recognized auditing standard developed by AICPA, to ensure that data of their allied companies, clients and business partners is safe and secure. With this SAS 70 Certification, AmCheck can be trusted on client´s valuable information while proving them with Payroll, HR and PEO Services.
Principal Financial Group Launches New Universal Life ProductUniversal Life Protector III offers lower cost and greater flexibility.
Mercer HR Services adds 11 major clients in first quarterGrowth continues across all lines of business
Letter Debunks MisPERCEPTIONs ABOUT PENSION BILL"The Pension Reform Legislation Will Significantly Increase Employer
Costs," Engler Says
Hewitt issued its 2006 401(k) Benchmarks study today, which examines the saving and investing habits of U.S. employees.The study found that company efforts to help employees save for retirement -- including putting the 401(k) plan on autopilot, simplifying plan choices, and targeting communication -- have resulted in some improvements in employees´ retirement saving and investing behaviors. Despite these improvements, there is still work to be done to steer employees onto a path toward a more secure retirement.
EMPLOYERS USING WEB TO MEETINCREASING PENSION ADMINISTRATION DEMANDSClosed and Frozen Plans Adding to Burden, Watson Wyatt Experts Say
Buck Consultants announced today that it has been selected by FormTech Industries LLC to provide an array of employee benefit services.Buck Consultants to Provide Employee Benefit Services for FormTech Industries
Buck Consultants, an ACS company and one of the world´s leading human resource and benefits consulting firms, has published its latest issue of "Global View."Buck´s first quarter 2006 issue of "Global View" also contains reports on HR trends and news in France, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the UK. The publication is available on Buck's Web site at the following link:
Watson WyattWorldwide is warning that a new policy announced yesterday by theDepartment of Energy (DOE) undermines government contractors' ability to provide guaranteed retirement benefits to their workers.According to a press release published by DOE on April 27, the agency willno longer reimburse the expenses associated with defined benefit pensioncoverage "for new contractor employees."
Fidelity Investments Stock Plan Services Group Receives "Unqualified" SAS 70 Type II Report For Third Consecutive YearInternationally Recognized Auditing Standard Reaffirms Effectivenessof Fidelity's Equity Compensation Recordkeeping Systems
Fidelity Investments Receives HROA Large Market Customer Relationship Of The Year AwardCompany Recognized for HR Outsourcing Partnership with Bank of America
Desjardins Financial Security Goes Live With Sungard´s iWORKSDesjardins Financial Security announces that it has completed the implementation of SunGard´s iWORKS COMPASS in its group retirement savings enterprise network, SunGard´s enterprise group benefit administration system.
Ceridian Adds Roth 401(k) Recordkeeping Services To Its Retirement Plan Administration OfferingsThe new provisions allow 401(k) plan participants to defer a portion of their salary to the plan on an after-tax basis.
LifeCare ® Reaches Milestone: More Than a Half-Million Lives Covered by Innovative Successful AgingSM ServicesUnique suite of services helps individuals resolve full rage of mid-life and
aging-related issues -- caregiving, leading healthier lives, personal coaching, legal
and financial matters, pre- and post retirement planning, and much more
Organizations benefit from improved relationships with middle-aged and
senior customers, members, employees and other key audiences
Dan Walter has joined Buck Consultants' San Francisco office as Principal in the Compensation practice with a specialty in equity compensation plan design and administration.Walter joins Buck from Smith Barney´s Stock Plan Services group where he was a Senior Vice President and Director.
Mercer named Benefits Consultant of the YearMercer Human Resource Consulting has been named Benefits Consultant of the Year in the annual Global Pensions Awards for the second consecutive year.
Hyatt Legal Plans Adds Senior Attorney to Management StaffAmeriprise Financial Goes Beyond the Numbers to Map the Emotional Stages of Retirement"Up until now, no one has so thoroughly investigated the mindscape of retirement," said Ken Dychtwald, CEO of Age Wave. "Baby boomers, who are starting to turn 60 this year, are probably well aware of the financial challenges that lay ahead, but few may realize what they will experience emotionally. Incredibly, we have discovered that retirement is a complex process made up of distinct emotional stages, similar to other well-known life transitions, such as pregnancy or grieving and loss."
New Survey Finds Electronic Age Brings Results, Risks Electronic technology, including widespread computer availability and online communicationNearly three out of four organizations responded that electronic communication practices have improved administrative efficiency, and over half report reduced costs and enhanced employee satisfaction.
Watson Wyatt Worldwide Acquires Davis, Conder, Enderle & SloanAll seven DCE&S principals, including three of the firm´s four founders
Hybrid Plans Critical to Retirement Security of Millions of WorkersHouse Committee Considering Legislation to Clarify Plan Legality
AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SERVICES INTRODUCES NEW COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICE AND COMMUNICATION MODEL TO PLAN SPONSORSBluePrintSM helps plan sponsors define, measure and achieve success with their retirement plan
Retirement Programs an Increasing Challenge for Financial ExecutivesHewitt Survey Reveals Short-Term Concerns Include Controlling Growth and Volatility of Plan Costs, Increasing Employee Education Efforts
It's Time to Retire Traditional Retirement PlanningThe dominant needs of  workforces have evolved considerably over the years, writes Peter G. Burki.
BET Founder Robert L Johnson to Make Key Investment in RolloverSystems, and Take Board SeatRobert L. Johnson, is making a significant equity investment in a company that promises to fundamentally change the way millions of Americans roll over their retirement accounts.
Careermetasearch.com Adds Rolloversystems Functionality to Job Search WebsiteRolloverSystems, Inc., and Careermetasearch.com
TM, are pleased to announce the addition of a RolloverMarket
TM IRA Rollover Center to the Careermetasearch.com website.
Recently Issued Guidance on the Automatic Rollover of Mandatory Qualified Retirement Plan DistributionsACTION REQUIRED PRIOR TO MARCH 28, 2005 : Â Department of Labor recently issued final "safe harbor" regulations relating to the automatic rollover of certain mandatory distributions from qualified retirement plans that contain a "cash out" feature.
Nearly Half of U.S. Workforce Financially Ill-Prepared for RetirementHudson Survey: Three Quarters Expect to Work Well Beyond Retirement
Reinventing Retirement-As health and life expectancy improve, the concept of retirement-and the impact of an extended retirement on retirement benefits-becomes more challenging.