Boost the bottom line, drug plan management, pensions in mergers, and plan design politics
This month’s top articles from Buck Consultants, plus links to the latest regulatory updates and the Buck Blog
Update: If you’re going to be at the World at Work Total Rewards conference in San Diego this month, plan to take in one or more of Buck’s workshops: Engagement Strategies at Safeway and Heinz; Healthy, Wealthy and Whys; Slide Rules, Stagecoaches and Mad Men – Building the Business Case for Wellness; and Retiree Medical Strategies Post-Health Reform.
Technology | Global
Health and Productivity | Canada
Retirement | Canada
Investments and CAP | Canada
Going green boosts bottom line
Adopting green practices like recycling and telecommuting can boost a company’s image among consumers who are concerned about the environment. But a survey from Xerox’s Buck Consultants says it also saves companies money. Listen to this 4-minute MarketWatch interview, with Allison Artnak, Buck’s HR Services Director. The survey, The Greening of the American Workplace, is available on the Buck Surveys website.
Health and Productivity | Canada
Take a stand on drug plan management
“…people used to take drugs because they were sick and that most prescriptions or treatments were for acute illnesses. Few claims exceeded $5,000 per person a year. Now, it’s a different story. With the number of “lifestyle drugs” on the market—birth control, erectile dysfunction drugs and fertility medication, for example—in addition to medications that treat chronic conditions, claims per person frequently exceed $5,000.” Read Take a stand on drug plan management, where Buck’s Health & Productivity practice leader Michele Bossi suggests taking a hard look at your plan and making some serious decisions.
Merge ahead: Helping pension plans travel the long and winding M&A road
“Not only are there big dollars and risks involved with the [pension plan acquired through merger or acquisition], but any changes to the pension promise to employees can have a huge effect on their morale–and their productivity.” Read Merge ahead, by consulting actuary Kevin Sorhaitz and communications director David McCullagh.
The politics of pension design
“Politics plays an important role in pension reform, and always has ever since Otto Von Bismarck introduced the first old age pension in 1889. But it isn’t just the pension reform process that is political. The essential design features of pension plans themselves reveal underlying political philosophies.” Read The politics of pension design, by senior consultant Robin Pond.
