What was trending in the benefits field in 2014?

From the top Affordable Care Act concerns to brokers finding a new way of doing business, the best places to work to controversial legislation, take a look at the top 10 social media posts from this year to see what piqued the interest of advisers and employers enough to garner a click, a like, or a share. For instant access to breaking news stories and in-depth analysis about benefit industry trends and events, benefit advisers need only turn to EBA’s social media communities on Twitter (@EBAmagazine), LinkedIn (search Employee Benefit Adviser under groups) and Facebook (facebook.com/EBAmagazine).

1. The top 50 large-group employee benefit brokerages in the U.S., part 1 and The top 50 large-group employee benefit brokerages in the U.S., part 2

With several hundred shares on LinkedIn, a slew of Facebook likes and retweets galore, benefit advisers were eager to check out and share our first-ever rankings of the top 50 large-group employee benefit brokerages in the U.S. View them here: part 1 and part 2.

2. Top 10 companies for working parents

Juggling the workload of being a benefit adviser with the responsibilities of parenthood can be tough to manage. In September, EBA posted a slideshow highlighting the top 10 companies for working parents and our readers took it viral, making it one our top viewed Facebook post of the year and one of our most engaged tweets, as well.  View it here.

3. EBA’s rising stars in advising

Our April issue of the magazine featured some of the top star advisers under age 35. We started unveiling their names and faces on social media in March and throughout April, garnering much attention not only from our readers but thousands of others with whom they were shared via LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. View it here.

4.  10 ACA issues employers need information on

With the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate looming, advisers have been hungry for information on how to ease their employer client’s concerns about the health care reform law. In June we featured a slideshow about ACA issues employers need to know about and advisers across the country retweeted it and shared it in spades on LinkedIn.  View it here.

5. Are traditional group brokerages opening store fronts sustainable?

Our February magazine featured the transformation of Milwaukee’s The Rauser Agency from a traditional group brokerage to a store-front retail presence. EBA readers were intrigued and every time we tweeted about the story, readers flocked to it.  View it here.

6. Half of benefit advisers considering leaving the industry

New research released by Aflac in June showed nearly half (49%) of benefit advisers are considering leaving the industry altogether in response to health care reform and other top concerns. EBA highlighted advisers’ concerns in our print magazine and online. Our social media circles shared it amongst themselves and with others, making it a popular LinkedIn share and one of our most viewed tweets of the summer. View it here.

7.  Top 25 companies for pay and benefits

As employers and the benefit advisers who assist them continue to look for ways to attract and retain talented employees, a list of the top 25 companies for pay and benefits released by Glassdoor provided some insight into what employees value from their workplace. We posted the list in May to our website and social media communities, piquing the interest of thousands of readers. View it here.

8. NAHU working to defeat California’s controversial Proposition 45

Ahead of the November elections, California’s controversial ballot measure Proposition 45 drew the attention of advisers, insurance groups, and the National Association of Health Underwriters, which vehemently opposed the initiative. EBA spoke with NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein and Neil Crosby, vice president of public affairs for the California Association of Health Underwriters to discuss Prop 45 and EBA readers made it one of this year’s most viewed Facebook posts. View it here.

9. Fallout for brokers from HHS proposed rules 

In March, HHS released a mammoth 279-page proposed rule addressing several outstanding issues regarding the exchanges created under the ACA. Included in the rule were some clarifications about the role navigators and brokers would play with enrollment on the marketplaces. Advisers had been anticipating the clarifications and were eager to read EBA’s analysis of the proposed rule. View it here.

10. 4 questions employees should ask about benefits

April 2^nd was National Benefits Day and EBA celebrated with tweets and posts aimed at helping benefit advisers streamline the enrollment process and continue to build their relationships with employer clients. View it here.