Issue Briefs

Four issues dominated the most recent Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) policy forum, which was devoted to the release of a ground-breaking nationwide survey of consumer-driven health plans and a discussion of the results. Press release. EBRI Notes Feb 2, 2006 12 pages

These two articles report current data on assets and trends in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Keoghs (for the self-employed), and on the sources of income of the elderly (age 65 and Over). IRA press release. EBRI Notes Jan 16, 2006 16 pages

A new EBRI study shows the value of preserving lump-sum distributions from 401(k) and assets from other retirement plans when you switch jobs: “A significantly higher percentage of those who spent their lump-sum distributions entirely reported their standard of living (in retirement) as being somewhat or much worse than was reported by those who rolled over their entire distribution (24.5 percent compared with 16.2 percent),” the study says. EBRI Issue Brief Jan 10, 2006 44 pages

The first article shows how rising health costs are driving a shift in benefits, that health costs account for the bulk of voluntary employer-provided benefits, and that benefits take a growing share of total compensation. The second article notes that workers are increasing offered a lump-sum distribution of their retirement assets, and that while roll-overs are increasing, leakage from the retirement asset system is still significant. For Health Benefits Trends press release, click here.  For Lump-Sum Distributions press release, click here. EBRI Notes Dec 12, 2005 20 pages

Americans enrolled in a relatively new type of health coverage designed to make them more cost conscious are less satisfied with their health plan than those with comprehensive health insurance and are less likely to recommend the new plans to a friend or colleague, a ground-breaking nationwide survey. EBRI Issue Brief Dec 8, 2005 32 pages

This Issue Brief provides historic data through 2004 on the number and percentage of nonelderly individuals with and without health insurance. Based on EBRI estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS), it reflects 2004 data. It also discusses trends in coverage for the 1994–2004 period and highlights characteristics that typically indicate whether an individual is insured. EBRI Issue Brief Nov 7, 2005 32 pages

Although battered by rising health care costs, a majority of Americans remain well satisfied with the quality of the care personally received in the last two years, the 2005 Health Confidence Survey (HCS) shows. But Americans tend to view cost as one of the least important factors when considering health care quality, the survey suggests. Press release EBRI Notes Nov 1, 2005 12 pages

Just under 60 percent of all individuals living in the United States were covered by employment-based health benefits during 2004, down from almost 64 percent in 2000, a new study by EBRI shows. Press release. EBRI Notes Oct 17, 2005 12 pages

This Issue Brief examines the level of participation by workers in public- and private-sector employment-based pension and retirement plans, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS), the most recent data currently available. EBRI Issue Brief Oct 12, 2005 36 pages

This report updates research on 401(k) plan participant activity through year-end 2004, using the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database -- the largest database of its kind and an ongoing collaborative effort between the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and the Investment Company Institute (ICI). Among its key findings: Consistent participation in 401(k) plans remains essential to successful saving; equity investing remains popular in 401(k) plans; investment preferences are shifting to simpler options; loans are widely available, but rarely taken. EBRI Issue Brief Sep 28, 2005 20 pages