Stable value investments have been a core investment option in defined contribution retirement plans since the 1970s and are an attractive alternative to money market investments due to steady returns and principal preservation guarantees. Stable value funds have proven their worth to investors during the protracted period of low interest rates present since the recent financial crisis. Consider the following comparison of 2007-2016 calendar year total return for the Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) [i] to the HBS MetLife Stable Value Fund. 1.            What is a stable value fund?  Stable value funds are low-risk, capital preservation investment options available in employer-sponsored retirement plans and other savings plans. They are invested in high quality, diversified fixed income portfolios and feature protection against interest rate volatility through contracts from insurance companies or banks. 2.   ...

As of June 30, 2017 U.S. equities advanced for the seventh consecutive quarter, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 3.09% in the second quarter and 9.34% year to date. With the economic expansion and the bull market for stocks both in their eighth year, it is understandable that many investors are nervous about a market correction. Equity prices are reflecting a very solid U.S. economy, operating at full potential and full employment. Most of the economic data followed by investors has been positive: surges in Leading Economic Indicators, and the Small Business Optimism Index; accelerating global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast; rising housing starts; strong Purchasing Managers Indexes (manufacturing and service sectors), strong hiring, declining unemployment, record low weekly unemployment claims and high quit rate; low inflation; strong consumer data: growth in average hourly earnings/real disposable personal income, household balance sheets, savings rates, credit scores, ...

Last quarter we reported to you that investors turned decidedly bullish toward equities after the U.S. election. That trend continued in the first quarter of 2017, with the S&P 500 Index hitting an all-time high of 2395.96 on March 1, immediately following President Trump’s conciliatory speech to Congress. That represented a 12% advance in the Index from pre-election levels. The Index closed the quarter off the all-time high, at 2362.72, as investors re-evaluated the probability of President Trump and Congress’ ability to deliver on tax cuts and increased federal spending on infrastructure. The S&P 500 returned a very strong 6.07% in the first quarter—the sixth consecutive quarter of positive returns for the Index. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate. The U.S. has entered a period where proposed policy or po...

Get Ready for Paid Family Leave Effective January 1, 2018, New York State Paid Family Leave Program will provide New Yorkers job-protected, paid leave. Working families will no longer have to choose between caring for their loved ones and risking their economic security. But how does this impact you as the employer? This webinar will cover the new regulations for the Paid Family Leave law and how to prepare for it including: which employers are covered, and employees are eligible for benefits;  the differences between Paid Family Leave (PFL), Disability Benefits Law (DBL) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and  what employers should do to get ready. Thursday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m. CLICK HERE to register PRESENTERS: Wesley Price Sales Account Executive Employee Benefits HANYS Benefit Services Wesley is responsible for assisting clients with health and welfare benefits, and any other area of human resource consulting. Before joining HBS in 2009, Wes worked in the insur...

Pension Risk Transfer: Why Now? Healthcare finance executives are faced with many challenges. One such challenge is managing the inherent liability and cost associated with their Defined Benefit Pension Plan. This webinar will focus on pension risk transfer (PRT) strategies and why now may be the right time to implement them. Join this special webcast to learn: pension de-risking concerns and solutions;  what PRT steps are available now to plan sponsors; and  why plan sponsors should consider acting now to take advantage of these strategies.  CLICK HERE to register Wednesday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. PRESENTERS : Peter Margiotta Vice President, Business Development HANYS Benefit Services Michael E. Devlin  Principal BCG Pension Risk Consultants

by Wesley Price Voluntary benefits have been around for several decades. These are coverages and products made available to employees for elective purchase at the employee’s expense. Over the years, as the cost of health insurance has continued to increase, employers have shifted the portfolio of offerings from employer-paid to voluntary. As a result voluntary benefits has evolved from being limited to main core benefits like dental, vision, and life insurance to including accident insurance, disability and critical illness. Additionally, new benefits are emerging based on growing demand, such as pet insurance, fraud protection and legal services. The administration of employee benefits has also evolved. Previously, new enrollment into plans would require personnel onsite to enroll, educate and deliver the policies causing a potentially cumbersome disruption to an organization’s daily operations. The expansion of online enrollment has taken the burden out of the enrollment process, mak...

by Wesley Price Voluntary benefits have been around for several decades. These are coverages and products made available to employees for elective purchase at the employee’s expense. Over the years, as the cost of health insurance has continued to increase, employers have shifted the portfolio of offerings from employer-paid to voluntary. As a result voluntary benefits has evolved from being limited to main core benefits like dental, vision, and life insurance to including accident insurance, disability and critical illness. Additionally, new benefits are emerging based on growing demand, such as pet insurance, fraud protection and legal services. The administration of employee benefits has also evolved. Previously, new enrollment into plans would require personnel onsite to enroll, educate and deliver the policies causing a potentially cumbersome disruption to an organization’s daily operations. The expansion of online enrollment has taken the burden out of the enrollment process, mak...