http://eba.benefitnews.com/rssfeed?tagValue=Eba-Stayingcurrent-Voluntary&tagType=100&sectionName=null&topicName=null&feedType=rss&assetType=ARTICLE RSS feed for Eba-Stayingcurrent-Voluntary http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/693171/Raw-Bar-1000-regular-listeners-cant.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null For months now we've been offering up daily interviews with some of the industry's leading employee benefits experts. With more than 1,000 subscribers to our daily podcast we're confident the word continues to spread that EBA's Raw Bar is where benefits brokers and advisers turn to stay in touch and informed. Check out the top five most frequently downloaded podcasts of the last four months. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:06:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/693171/Raw-Bar-1000-regular-listeners-cant.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-09-02T17:06:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/671141/Funeral-services-fit-grim-economic-climate.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null Funeral concierge services may sound dour, but they could serve as the proverbial silver lining for advisers who know how to frame the product correctly. With food prices, gas prices, foreclosures and general credit issues, employees have a lot to be worried about. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:56:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/671141/Funeral-services-fit-grim-economic-climate.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-09-01T19:56:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/671091/Advisers-dabbling-executive-comp-should-aware.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null As employers struggle to contain benefit costs in a weak economy, executive benefits are generating more buzz. Advisers may shift their focus to new territory, as employers try to strike a balance between creating an enticing executive benefit package and pillaging the benefits budget. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:51:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/671091/Advisers-dabbling-executive-comp-should-aware.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-09-01T19:51:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/673431/Offering-vision-insurance-wont-mean-its.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null National health insurance may not substantially broaden access to vision care, according to a new study from the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. An executive summary noted that "although health insurance is associated with increased use of preventive services and recommended treatments," simply making it available to all citizens may not increase the percentage of individuals who use these services or improve vision-related outcomes. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:48:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/673431/Offering-vision-insurance-wont-mean-its.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-26T16:48:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/668941/Eastbridge-perplexed-critical-illness-findings.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null Worksite carriers appear to have unrealistically high sales expectations for critical illness coverage, according to the Voluntary Product Trends study that Eastbridge Consulting. conducts every other year. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/668941/Eastbridge-perplexed-critical-illness-findings.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-19T16:59:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/668931/LTC-costs-continue-swell.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null New research should make it a little easier for advisers to make the case for long-term care coverage, as Prudential reports that the average cost of care -- depending on type --grew between 5% and 13% over the last two years. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:56:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/668931/LTC-costs-continue-swell.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-19T16:56:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/648421/All-eyes-LTC-November.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null While March and September are devoted to promoting greater national awareness of disability and life insurance benefits, respectively, a similar effort is unfolding to do the same for long-term care insurance in November. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:16:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/648421/All-eyes-LTC-November.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-12T17:16:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/645171/Tough-times-cast-light-worksite-market.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null The watering down of a generous perk at one of the nation's most beloved corporate brands has academics and industry observers alike talking about the virtues of voluntary benefits. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:35:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/645171/Tough-times-cast-light-worksite-market.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-05T16:35:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/641191/Catalyzing-LTC-Sales.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null The number of benefit brokers and advisers saying they're expecting long-term care insurance sales success continues to diminish, falling from 11% in 2006 to 5% this year. Meanwhile the percentage of brokers expecting to increase their LTC business through "greater effort" is also dipping with 27% saying as much in 2006 and 2007, but just 22% saying so this year. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:54:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/641191/Catalyzing-LTC-Sales.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-01T19:54:00Z http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/641011/Rising-gas-prices-have-employers-thinking.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null Even employers are not immune from the nation's soaring gas prices. "This is going to be our second round with offering our employees help with gas prices," says Louis Basso, president of The Alcott Group, a New York-based HR consulting firm for small and mid-sized employers. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:55:00 GMT http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/641011/Rising-gas-prices-have-employers-thinking.html?pg=&sectionName=null&topicName=null 2008-08-01T17:55:00Z