Health

In the wake of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), fewer small employers are offering health benefits to their workers, but big employers are holding steady, according to new findings by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 28, 2016 8 pages

The share of both private-sector self-insured health plans and of covered workers in self-insured health plans have increased among small- and midsized firms since enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, according to new research from EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 27, 2016 8 pages

Enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 had the effect of significantly increasing health coverage for historically uninsured groups in California, such as young adults, lower-income, Hispanics, and small-business and self-employed workers between 2013-2014, after key provisions took effect, according to new research by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Jul 26, 2016 8 pages

Although most American workers are satisfied with the health insurance benefits they have now, there is a long-term trend toward wanting more cash and fewer benefits, according to a new survey by EBRI. Press release. EBRI Notes Mar 24, 2016 12 pages

Even though Congress recently enacted a two-year delay in the so-called “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private-sector employers are already starting to prepare for it and some workers are already feeling its effects. To clarify what the tax would do and how employers and health-plan sponsors are reacting to it, EBRI held a policy forum on Dec. 10, 2015, attended by about a hundred health experts and other benefits professionals, to discuss “The Excise Tax on High-Cost Health Plans,” which is summarized here. Press release. EBRI Notes Mar 23, 2016 12 pages

Wellness Programs: Workplace wellness programs appear to have a bigger impact on medication adherence for some diseases than others, according to new research from EBRI. Press release.

Single/Couple Households: Older singles and older couples tend to face sharply different out-of-pocket expenses for non-recurring health care services such as home health care, nursing home stays, overnight hospital stays, and outpatient surgery—possibly because they do not have a spouse to help as caregivers, according to new research by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Jan 21, 2016 16 pages

CPS: Estimates from the new and redesigned Current Population Survey (CPS) by the U.S. Census Bureau show a drop in the percentage of Americans who participate in a workplace retirement plan. However, the results raise doubts about the use of CPS data to assess current and future retirement plan coverage policies, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

Generational Views of Benefits: Compared to their older cohorts, Millennial workers are less interested and knowledgeable about their work place benefits, and prefer life insurance over health insurance, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Dec 17, 2015 28 pages

Consumer-driven health plans appear to be succeeding at getting people to pay attention to their health costs and behavior, according to new research by EBRI. EBRI Issue Brief Dec 15, 2015 28 pages

Benefits Survey: More than three-quarters of American workers say their workplace benefits package is important to their decision to take or reject a job, according to new research by EBRI and Greenwald & Associates. Press release.

DC Benefits: Private-sector retirement benefits have long been dominated by “defined contribution” plans funded primarily by workers’ own contributions. Private-sector health benefits are still funded primarily by employers, but that may be starting to change with the advent of “defined contribution” health plans. This has major implications for the American work force, the U.S. health care system, and even economic security in the nation, which were explored at EBRI’s 76th policy forum held in Washington this spring. Press release.

EBRI Notes Nov 18, 2015 28 pages

Retiree health savings: Projected savings targets needed to cover health care in retirement are going up again after several years of decline, according to new research by EBRI. This follows more recent declines during 2012-2014. Press release.

DB-DC: Does a traditional “defined benefit” pension provide greater retirement security than a “defined contribution” 401(k)-type plan? The complicated answer to that simple question depends on your salary level and the level of pre-retirement income to be replaced, according to a new analysis by EBRI. Press release.

EBRI Notes Oct 22, 2015 24 pages