Justin Held, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

21 Ways Employers Are Combating Escalating Health Care Costs in 2021

Justin Held, CEBS

27 Jan 202126 Jan 2021

Over the next ten years, health care spending in the United States is projected to increase at an annual rate of 5.4%. In response to the cost escalation, plan sponsors in corporate, multiemployer and public employer environments are looking for ways to […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Multiemployer U.S.

The State of Multiemployer Health Plans: 10 Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

12 Jan 202113 Jan 2021

The median cost of benefits for multiemployer health plans increased 47% over the ten-year period from 2008 to 2017, reaching $11,201 per participant per year (PPPY), according to a new International Foundation report. The consistent increases in costs over the ten-year period […]

Woman and man talking over drafting table

Apprenticeship Programs Employee Benefits Multiemployer U.S.

“What Is an Apprenticeship Agreement?” and Other Questions for Your Plan

Justin Held, CEBS

06 Jan 202106 Jan 2021

Apprenticeship and training funds have a long history of providing skilled workers for a number of industries. These funds are classified as employee welfare benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and are typically exempt from federal […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Investments Retirement U.S.

SRI Investments in 401(k) Plans—Myths and Challenges for Plan Sponsors

Justin Held, CEBS

03 Dec 202002 Dec 2020

Despite growing demand for sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investments from participants, a small percentage of 401(k) plans provide such options in their investment menus. In a Benefits Magazine article from earlier this year, Gregory D. Wait, CEBS, reviews the challenges that […]

Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Retirement U.S.

The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: 10 DC Plan Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

19 Oct 202014 Oct 2020

According to The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A 15-Year Look (2003-2017), the average defined contribution (DC) plan account balance increased significantly from 2003 to 2017, growing to $43,500 while aggregate disbursements also grew. The increase in disbursements—coupled with a lack of growth […]

Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Pensions Retirement U.S.

The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: 10 DB Plan Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

12 Oct 202014 Oct 2020

According to the most recent data from The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A Fifteen-Year Look (2003-2017), demographic trends in multiemployer plans have become less favorable as the number of actively working participants have decreased relative to the number of inactive and retired […]

Communication Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) U.S.

What is a Typical Open Enrollment Period? 10 Stats for Your Plan to Consider

Justin Held, CEBS

08 Oct 202006 Oct 2020

Open enrollment may be the biggest challenge of human resources (HR) and benefits offices across the U.S., and it’s coming soon! The headaches are countless: workers not reading their communication materials, the efforts of communicating to workers at multiple locations and a […]

Canada Employee Benefits Investments U.S.

Alternative Investments: A Primer for your Plan

Justin Held, CEBS

21 Sep 202021 Sep 2020

Finding the right asset allocation for your fund is no easy task. A presentation by Kevin M. Schmid of Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors, LLC, titled Improving Your Asset Allocation, explored the topic and provided some insights on key strategies to improve your fund’s […]

Apprenticeship Programs Canada Employee Benefits

Running an Effective Apprenticeship Fund in Canada: 8 Questions for Your Plan

Justin Held, CEBS

16 Sep 202014 Sep 2020

Running an effective apprenticeship fund requires the management of a wide variety of key stakeholders. Navigating this complicated landscape and avoiding potential pitfalls have long been concerns for a wide variety of apprenticeship program stakeholders, including training directors, coordinators and trustees. The […]

Employee Benefits Multiemployer U.S.

Best Practices in Trustee Recruitment, Selection and Retention

Justin Held, CEBS

17 Aug 202016 Aug 2020

Significant expected turnover on multiemployer benefit fund trustee boards and the increasing complexity of serving as a trustee are among the key challenges faced by these boards. To address this changing landscape, trust funds are deploying a wide range of initiatives to […]