Articles

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) has focused a lot of attention on how artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing retirement planning, investing and management.

Most people will need some form of long-term care (LTC) as they age. Employers can play a role in helping workers plan and pay for LTC expenses.

Good communication skills can help benefit plan trustees build trust, reduce conflict and, ultimately, comply with their fiduciary duties. What are the key challenges of trustee communication, and what communication skills do trustees need to master?

Managing withdrawals and sustaining income during retirement poses risks that are often greater than those encountered while saving for retirement. The hiking analogy used in this article may help plan participants—especially those nearing retirement—understand the risks as well as mitigation strategies.

Comprehensive cybersecurity training addresses one of the leading causes of data breaches—human error. Employee benefit funds that provide such training to employees reduce the risk of a cyberattack while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Low-volatility strategies have quietly delivered attractive risk-adjusted returns for two decades, yet remain underused despite their ability to complement traditional portfolios by performing well at different points in the market cycle.

Concerns about inflation and the possibility of a recession weigh heavily on employees’ and employers’ minds. The author explores ways employers can help employees build financial confidence and stay on track toward their retirement goals, even in uncertain times.

AI is already emerging in the fraud landscape, affecting pension and benefits plans, with its role expected to expand in the near future. In this first article, the authors examine how these evolving fraud risks intersect with Canadian fiduciary obligations and risk-management expectations.

2026 ISCEBS Governing Council and Committees

Society has a new president for 2026

Are you ready for what comes next in employee benefits? Join your industry colleagues—plan sponsors, advisors and service providers—in Phoenix for a high-impact education experience designed to inform, inspire and connect.

As companies navigate rapid change and risk shifting employee expectations, workplace coaching has emerged as a strategic tool for building resilience, engagement and leadership. The author looks at how organizations are recognizing that coaching can drive up not only growth but also organizational agility and innovation.

Transformation isn't about perfection and technicalities; it's about engaged people. The authors focus on ways organizations can effectively implement change management to activate employees and enable sustainable growth.

Trustees play a vital role in the governance of pension and benefits plans, especially amid evolving risks and regulations. The authors examine ways trustees can support informed decision making, strengthen transparency, fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the plans.

Workplaces can be a powerful setting for suicide prevention strategies since most people interact with work. One such strategy is gatekeeper training—otherwise known as community helper training—which teaches workers to identify and reach out to co-workers at risk for suicide and connect them to support services.

Mental health affects everyone, and organizations can reduce stress, prevent burnout and boost engagement through targeted initiatives. The author outlines strategies that improve both business outcomes and employee well-being.

Qualified default investment alternatives (QDIAs) offered in defined contribution (DC) plans seek to ensure that participants who don’t actively manage their accounts earn better returns. Newer QDIA models that include lifetime income options may help boost retirement income security.

Specialty drug cost management offers a strategic test of how well benefit design, clinical strategy and financing models can adapt to 21st-century medicine. What steps should plan sponsors take to address the challenges of providing access to innovative treatments while managing financial risk?

2025 Aegis Risk Medical Stop-Loss Premium Survey measures the ongoing expense and coverage of medical stop-loss amongst employer-sponsored, self-funded health plans

New Governing Council Officers and Members Announced!