News

Commentary: Consumers are beginning to see some direct effects of the Affordable Care Act. Many have shopped the exchanges and see that they need to confirm health care coverage as part of filing their federal income tax returns, and a growing number continue to see the structure of medical benefits offered by employers shifting to […]

A funding mechanism included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is gaining steam in the House of Representatives, leading to a round of huzzahs from the small business community. Because affordable care for all will only be affordable if someone underwrites its true cost, the law includes various taxes and assessments designed to […]

Rep. Joe Crowley, D-NY, vice chair of the Democratic Caucus unveiled a plan this week that would address the savings and retirement security crisis in America by giving families better ways to save for the future and retire with dignity. Crowley’s “Building Better Savings, Building Brighter Futures” plan would create new financial options that encourage […]

The Affordable Care Act has had one unintended consequence for small businesses. It has prompted employers to beef up their retirement benefits as a way to attract and retain good employees, according to The Nationwide Retirement Institute. With implementation of the ACA came a requirement for small businesses with 100 or more full-time employees to […]

When it comes to retirement, the 4 percent rule just doesn’t cut it for most people. That’s according to a new PwC US report that says the notion of withdrawing 4 percent per year in retirement may work for the wealthy but could be disastrous for everyone else. If Americans stick to the idea of […]

Driven by the developmental and retail costs of specialty drugs and a less-than-robust generic drug market, pharmaceutical price increases will move into the double-digit range by 2016. That’s what an analysis of cost factors by Aon Hewitt forecasts. The results emerged from an actuarial analysis of medical trend cost information from various sources, from client experience, […]

The Affordable Care Act (ACA or health care reform law) changed how health care plans work and how people can get coverage. It also changed the way we do business and the way you serve your clients. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay on top of what’s changed, and prepare for what’s ahead. That’s […]

Commentary: The Department of Labor finally revealed its proposed fiduciary standard rule on Tuesday after weeks of anticipation and speculation. The rule is intended to deter brokers from pushing “backdoor payments” and hidden fees in the products they recommend to clients. Specific elements of the rule include imposing a fiduciary duty on brokers, preventing conflicts […]

Failing to claim all the tax deduction you’re entitled to is like flushing money down the toilet. As small business owners prepare their taxes this year, it’s important they don’t miss any of these most commonly overlooked tax deductions, to avoid paying more money to Uncle Sam than necessary. 1. Home office deduction Do you use […]

At the beginning of March, CMS announced a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals and families who did not enroll for health coverage in 2014, and were subject to the fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they filed their 2014 taxes. By enrolling during this SEP, affected consumers may avoid further tax penalties on their […]