New Health Care Law Will Change Employee Wellness Programs

In an era of rising health care costs, many employers are turning to employee wellness programs to keep their workers healthy and to keep health insurance coverage costs down. According to the National Compensation Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of all employees have access to some sort of wellness program benefit; programs range from discounts at local fitness facilities and educational programs to comprehensive, closely-monitored programs designed to help employees better manage chronic conditions like diabetes or make significant lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking. In exchange for undergoing screenings and meeting other goals, employees also often receive discounts on their health care coverage premiums.

While employee wellness programs are popular, some experts question their value. Because participation is voluntary and companies are prohibited by law from discriminating against employees on the basis of health screening results and their participation in wellness programs, experts point out that employees may be less than truthful (“I quit smoking!” “I go to the gym four times a week!”) to qualify for the discounts, and that the result is often higher costs to employers with few measurable benefits. However, federal lawmakers disagree with the notion that the programs are not effective — to the point that significant provisions for employee wellness programs were included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2010.

Health Insurance Discounts

One of the primary reasons that employees opt to participate in their employers’ wellness programs is that participation often translates to discounts on health insurance premiums. With the cost of coverage going up every year, especially when an employee is paying for coverage for the whole family, voluntarily participating in the employee wellness program and agreeing to engage in healthy behaviors usually means at least a small break on the cost of health insurance.

However, businesses are limited as to how much of a discount they can offer. Under federal law, the maximum discount for signing up for an employee wellness benefit is 20 percent. Employers recoup those costs in the form of fewer health care claims and an overall lower cost for their organization, as insurance carriers give their best rates to their healthiest customers.

Realizing that the bigger the incentive, the greater the participation, the government is increasing the maximum insurance discount to 30 percent for employee wellness participants, with the potential for discounts to reach 50 percent if the program is designed to help people stop smoking. At the same time, the law also allows employers to levy penalties of up to 30 percent of the cost of health coverage should employee participants fail to meet the specific health standards established by the insurer, or for engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking. The law does account for employees who cannot participate in wellness programs for documented reasons by allowing them to meet different health standards or participate in alternative programs.

Grants for Wellness Programs

While the majority of larger employers — those with more than 100 employees — offer some type of employee wellness program, many smaller businesses cannot afford the costs associated with managing such a program (on average, about $150 per employee per year). The PPACA aims to help smaller employers develop wellness programs by establishing a $200 million grant program designed to pay for the costs associated with employee wellness. Employers with fewer than 100 employees implementing programs that meet certain criteria (for example, making efforts to improve employee engagement and create a healthy environment) can apply for the funding. These grants will not only improve the availability of employee wellness programs, but the money will create opportunities for public health professionals, as most small businesses do not have the resources to maintain a wellness specialist on staff. (Click here for additional resources on online MPH degree programs and opportunities in the public health field). 

CDC Support

In addition to increased funding, employers can expect additional support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their efforts to get employees healthy. Under the Affordable Health Care Act, employers of all sizes will have access to the CDC’s tools to analyze, evaluate and measure their wellness efforts. These tools will help employers more effectively manage their programs and maximize their cost savings.

The PPACA will completely change the face of health care in the U.S., including the way employers manage their employee wellness programs. Programs will vary by employer, but expect to see a great deal more attention paid to these popular employee benefits.


About the Author: After earning a master’s in public health, Lara Mack went on to serve as the director of employee wellness for a large financial services provider.

3 Strategies for Affordable Travel in Your Golden Years

After decades of the long grind, you’ve retired and finally have the time to travel the world and do things you’ve always dreamed about but couldn’t do on a working schedule. As liberating as this realization may feel, it can come as both a shock and disappointment when we have the time but lack the finances to start marking off our bucket lists. 

However, keeping a few tips in mind, one shouldn’t need to sacrifice all of their retirement plans due to limited finances by keeping a few bits of advice in mind when planning their retirement travels:

1. Plan early and plan now

Nobody is too old to start planning for a better retirement. In order to be able to afford everything you need and desire in retirement, it’s first important to address how much you’ll need to survive. 

Folk who want to project their needs in the United States can use this retirement calculator, and others from New Zealand or Australia can find helpful financial tools at Suncorp Superannuation. These estimates can help those approaching retirement to gauge their assets and learn how much they’ll need to save to comfortably retire.

As with any sort of planning, the sooner you begin – the better. Retirement can be extremely difficult to accommodate without funds in old age, but it is possible. Many retired individuals continue to hold part-time jobs for additional income and employee benefits, which can help as health insurance premiums begin to rise drastically with age. 

It’s also important to consider the most cost-effective living situations in order to stretch your retirement fund as well as possible.

2. Book in advance (but not too far)

Life can be unpredictable, but your travels shouldn’t ever rely on chance or spontaneous decisions. Booking any flights you require and hotels that you’ll need to stay at least a month in advance is necessary. 

This can give you time to account for the costs of dining, travel, and other expenses you might incur while abroad. Those who scope out tickets during slumps of airline traffic can end up paying half or less for their travel fare.



However, take care to not plan too far in advance, since the personal illness, inclement weather, delayed flights, events in the family, and other issues can punch a hole through an otherwise immaculate travel plan and cause you to waste money. Tickets are almost always nonrefundable except for limited circumstances. 

When you finally have your destination chosen you should start a checklist of what you need to pack. Get out your luggage and check for damage and proper function of the latch components. Also important is your carryons, you want to have the best carryon luggage, you don't want to find out your luggage should have been updated when your already many miles from home.

When browsing, seek times between holiday seasons since travel prices go down drastically all around during periods of low traffic. Last-minute plane tickets alone can waste hundreds of dollars, and scoping these prices far in advance can reduce the likelihood of being gouged.

3. Choose thriftier destinations

While choosing destinations like Paris, London, Tokyo or Sydney might be on the top of your list for travel destinations, these options are frequently far more expensive than other options. 

Even worse, they’re often littered with tourist traps and opportunistic crooks. Choosing the road less oft traveled when choosing your travel destination can make a trip cheaper, safer, and more culturally authentic.

It’s worthwhile keeping up with current events to determine when the right time to start buying tickets. Depending on how a country’s currency is holding up, conversion rates may favor your dollar much more strongly than usual. 

This means that your dollar will hold stronger when buying tickets and on any other expenses while abroad. According to CNN Travel in 2012, tourists enjoyed vacations to Mexico, Egypt, and Greece at record low prices due to the fluctuating value of their currencies.

While affording your dream vacation might be difficult when your retirement fund needs to be stretched, managing your expectations and being smart with fiscal planning can result in your golden years is the most adventurous of your life.

Taking Vast Strides with an Offshore Umbrella Company

Making your way in the self-employment arena is a huge step that one could ever possibly take for them. This step literally makes one lose the office job security feel and can give a sense of no fullback or support.

People are now realizing the cold truth that this safety net was more like an illusion. This illusion like another social condition is fast to fade. But still one must realize that the self-employment world makes you entirely responsible for the financial days ahead. Such decisions are need a brave mind and sound one as well.

But if one does take time out to plan out the situation, things can seem to be a whole lot easier. Butterflies in the stomach are natural and are something that only go away once you face the situation head on. When you are making a plan for signing up for an onshore or offshore umbrella company, you need invest more time into the details. Making them your employer, even though you want to work on your own requires a closer look.

Offshore Umbrella company benefits

There are so many big advantages which come to mind regarding umbrella companies.

1. Umbrella companies keep your salaries away from corporate tax and instead subject them to independent contractor rates.
2. As a temporary worker, one enjoys a certain level of privacy.
3. There protection from any kind of liability. All worries can be left at back of your mind with umbrella companies.
4. You will get inside information form their professional for which umbrella service is tailor made for you.

These are just a few of the actual benefits that one enjoys when signing up with an umbrella company.

So why should one use the help of an offshore umbrella company?

It is possible for one to look into signing up with a umbrella company which is offshore than one which is in your own country. These offshore umbrella companies offer some valid reasons for dealing with them rather than your native ones. With offshore umbrella companies one gets to enjoy 100% identity protection. The second reason would be taxes. You won’t have to pay so much tax if you have signed up for an umbrella offshore company.

Many people try to set up their own umbrella service company for business but it is a whole lot easier to seek the help of an offshore company which is already established. These companies are quick to act and have simple workflow processes which are easy for common people to understand. In short, dealing with an offshore umbrella service company is much easier than bringing your own to existence.

So why should one resort to an offshore umbrella company?

You don’t want to take a jump into quicksand without thinking about all the pitfalls, do you? Nobody does. This is primarily why such decisions regarding an offshore umbrella company require due consideration and a good sit down. Thinking hats on folks! This decision is going to affect your financial days ahead and as of now is probably isn’t the most traditional way of leveraging. If you must, get professional advice. They will guide to choosing the right offshore umbrella company and will give you good inside information about how things work there. The professional advice will come in handy in making a good selection.

Always make sure that you pick an offshore umbrella company which has a good reputation in the Industry

Many people affiliate themselves with an offshore umbrella company just because their advertising was so good. One would be shocked to know how many people actually do that. One doesn’t need to be told this, but only good can come when you are linking yourself to an umbrella company that is well spoken about. Dealing with an umbrella company that has managed a good reputation over the years is the need of the hour.

Before taking the plunge, make sure that you do your homework and work to find facts and figures before signing ontoan offshore umbrella company. Make the most of the Internet and be as diligent as possible to ensure you are dealing with the right kind of people. This tactic is going to help you increase your savings and will reduce all liabilities that you are usually responsible for. It is important as a customer that you enjoy the full benefits of privacy which you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise. Choosing an offshore umbrella company requires a lot of research and is a decision that must be taken with utmost seriousness.

Credit Card Processing from A-Z

Credit card processing does not have to be difficult when using the North American Bancard. 

The North American Bancard is a tool to help small and large businesses alike. The card issued by North American helps entrepreneurs with transactions, credit billing, and any other payment method that comes before them.

The credit card processing the comes from North American Bancard is known mainly for the non-fee to cancel at any moment of the cardholder's choice. 

This mean is business is not going well then you can call and have your card terminated at no cost to the business in which the card name is in. North American Bancard is also known for the low interest rate that it comes with. 

The interest rate is not even fifty percent, and this interest rate is even lower when payments are being processed.

Another great function when engaging in credit card processing through North American Bancard is that there are no costs to start up your card and there are no hidden fees. 

Everything is spelled out for you when you sign up, and North American makes sure their customers are always happy all of the time.

North American Bancard is also known for the free credit card machine that comes with the month to month plan. The credit card machine is free of charge; it must be returned if the account is ever cancelled and absolutely no charges apply. 

There is also a small credit card machine that is made for smart phones; in some packages this machine is also free, and you can swipe a person's card right through your phone anywhere in the world. 

The Important Things to Include in Your Will

Have you thought about writing your Will yet? You might not want to think about it, because the thought that you will one day pass away is not a pleasant one to dwell on. However, anything can happen and having a Will is important to ensure that your estate is dealt with the way you would like it to be. 

A Will is the most important part of your estate plan and it will outline the way that you would like your assets to be divided when you pass away. This document will also identify your executor or personal representative who will be responsible for managing your estate and wrapping up your affairs. If you die without a Will, your relatives and dependents could have a big mess on their hands. The government will be able to decide what happens to your assets and they might not go to whom you would choose. 

What Should a Will Include?

So what sort of information should a Will actually include? First of all, you should make a complete and comprehensive inventory of all your financial assets including your credit cards, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, real estate and much more. It is only when you understand exactly what you have that you will be able to divide it accurately. You can then explain which family members, friends and charities you would like to receive your assets.

Your will should also have information about who you would like to appoint as your executor. This is the person who will be responsible for dividing up your estate and conducting your affairs. It is a good idea to choose a backup executor in case your first choice dies before you or cannot perform their duties for whatever reason. Usually the executor is a trusted family member, friend or solicitor.

If you have children that are under the age of 18, your Will must also include information about who you would like to become the legal guardian of these children. Think about whom in your family and friends would be the best caregiver for your children and talk to them about whether they would be willing to take on the responsibility. You should also talk to your children about the choice to make sure that they are happy with who you have chosen.

These are just a few of the important details that your Will should include, of course yours Will be unique to your situation and might include other aspects. 

Taylor Brunswick Can Offer Will Planning Advice

If you are planning your Hong Kong Will, Taylor Brunswick can help you by offering you personal insurance that will put your mind at ease. They have years of experience with Will planning and they will be able to get to know your situation and provide you with advice that suits your particular needs.

Writing your Will can be quite confusing and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it on your own. Enlist the help of these experienced and dedicated financial advisers to ensure that you have created the perfect Will for your needs.

How To Reduce The Cost of Car Insurance

While car insurance is a necessity, it can often be an expensive one. It is important to shop around for different car insurance companies to choose the one that best suits your needs. There are many ways to save on car insurance and reduce your rates and premiums. This article will discuss several ways in which you can help to reduce the cost of your car insurance. 

Once you have gained more knowledge on how you can save and the possible available discounts that are out there, you can choose the insurance company that works for you. Keep in mind that all insurance companies do not always offer the same discounts or offers so researching the discounts available at each company are your best bet. That way, based on the information below, you can choose which discounts or savings you would qualify for, and then choose the company that offers those discounts.

Multiple Policies

One way to reduce the cost of car insurance is to combine policies. You can save money on your plans if you insure all of your vehicles on one policy, including recreational vehicles, trailers, etc. Your car insurance premium may also decrease if you also purchase life insurance or home/renters insurance from your car insurance company as well. Car insurance companies are more willing to be flexible when you are purchasing multiple policies.

Drive a safe vehicle

Another way to save money on your car insurance is to drive a car that has high safety ratings, or is considered a low profile car. A low profile car is not prone to being stolen or vandalized. Choosing a safe or low profile car will allow your rates to be lower because your car is considered lower risk.

Limit your coverage

Passing on coverage you might not need is a great way to lower your car insurance rates. For example, you should consider dropping collision or comprehensive coverage on lower valued or older cars, because the amount of the deductible might exceed the value of the car itself. Keep in mind what type of coverage you will need or each vehicle, and choose your policies wisely so that you will save the most amount of money.

Student/Military/Other Discounts

Many insurance providers offer discounts to student or military servicemen and women. Also, some insurance companies also offer discounts through places of employment. It is always a good idea to ask about these special discounts when signing up for a new insurance policy. Student discounts often apply when the student is enrolled or completed a driver’s education training course.

Safe Driving Discounts

Another great way to reduce the cost of your car insurance is to be a safe driver. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates for drivers who go long periods of time without any accidents or claims made on their insurance. So while you should always drive safe, it is an added benefit that insurance companies honor individuals who stay safe on the roads by lowering their rates.


About the AuthorAshley Parker is a car insurance representative and often recommends considering purchasing liability auto insurance.