“Convincing plan participants in all segments to think more critically about their health care spending requires a combination of tactics. Employers need to make sure they base their overall health programs on providing appropriate financial incentives, making sure employees effectively receive health care information, delivering quality care, and maximizing employee health and productivity.”
“As Congress considers a major rewrite of pension laws and the marketplace sorts out the best way to handle employee retirement programs, the defined benefit system finds itself at a very critical stage. Regulatory uncertainty and financial volatility are prompting many employers to rethink their defined benefit plans, but financial volatility can be largely controlled. Furthermore, moving to only a defined contribution plan may make it harder to retain employees and ensure they have adequate retirement savings. Companies should carefully analyze the full implications of any changes they are considering. Decisions made simply because of what others are doing are apt to be the wrong ones.”
