All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 396
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights 2011
Download a PDF of the Thought Leaders: Academic Insights 2011 supplementThought leaders: Academic insights: Get the right mix of positive and negativeThought leaders: Academic insights: All eyes are on Brussels and FrankfurtThought leaders: Academic insights: Get retirement planning message acrossThought leaders: Academic insights: A greater understanding of reward valueThought leaders: ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: Get retirement planning message across
Employers should do all they can to promote the advantages of a good pension, says Sarah VickerstaffFor employers and employees alike, we live in turbulent times with regard to pension and retirement choices. This much is clear: employers will continue to be under pressure to keep costs down, and many ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: All eyes are on Brussels and Frankfurt
Pensions have moved up the European Union’s agenda, says James WalshIf there is one prediction we can make with confidence at the start of 2011, it is that we can expect to hear more from the European Union (EU) about pensions.Strictly speaking, the EU has no power to get directly ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: New ideas
With the economic climate still tough, employers will have to be inventive about how they construct their benefits packages this year, says Peter CrushBarely a week into 2011 came news from Income Data Services (IDS) confirming what most already knew: no one - except, perhaps, FTSE company chief executive officers, ...
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Analysis
Default retirement age to go: what will be the effect on benefits?
If you read nothing else, read this... With no DRA, employers will not be able to forcibly retire someone unless it can be objectively justified. There is an exemption for employers that currently offer group risk benefits. An employer could provide group income protection to staff above state pension age ...
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Analysis
High-earners look at alternatives as pension tax rules change
If you read nothing else, read this... From 6 April 2011, employees earning £150,000 or more each year will receive pensions tax relief only on contributions worth £50,000 a year, down from the previous £255,000. Employers are looking at alternative arrangements for their high earners. Possible options include cash top-ups ...
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Analysis
Cisco applies technology expertise to benefits
Case study: Executive insight is valued at CiscoSmall business development manager Lauren Godfrey has worked at Cisco for three years. The 25-year-old is responsible for recruiting and developing new partners to increase Cisco's market share in the small business area.Godfrey says she values the support she receives through the firm's ...
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Analysis
Technology leads new approach to share scheme communication
If you read nothing else, read this... Many organisations use technology to offer efficient enrolment processes and targeted communication of a scheme. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are also used. Share plan providers have to get to grips with changes to taxation, such as the new 50% ...
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Article
Confessions of a benefits manager: Beauty parade
Candid is tasked with interviewing potential suppliers of an online benefits system, but suspects it may be a pointless exerciseI would like to make this clear from the start: it wasn’t my idea. I had no intention of buying an online benefits system for this company. We don’t need one ...
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Article
Debi O'Donovan, editor of Employee Benefits: Integration will be the norm as benefits evolve
Normally the world of benefits evolves slowly rather than undergoing rapid revolution. However, for benefits, the landscape is currently reforming apace.Obviously, next month’s tax and national insurance changes will have a major impact, particularly on the reward packages of high-earners. What will be interesting to see is that what is ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to contract-based DC pensions
Focus on factsWhat are contract-based DC pension schemes?These are group pension schemes in which ownership and responsibility lie with the provider. The schemes, which are set up by employers, include group personal pension plans (GPPs), stakeholder schemes or group self-invested personal pensions (Sipps). Both the employer and the employee can ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to multinational pooling
Key factsWhat is multinational pooling?An arrangement whereby multinational organisations can benefit from favourable insured claims experience on a worldwide basis. It is essentially a second-stage accounting of insured employee benefits plans at an international level.Where to get more information?International Employee Benefits AssociationWhich are the main networks?Allianz All Net, Generali Employee ...
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Analysis
Pensions governance committee is important
If you read nothing else, read this… There is no legislation that says employers must have a pensions governance committee. A committee should focus on: investment funds, administration, communication, and whether the provider is offering a suitable service. Meeting at least once a year, it should have three ...
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Article
Interview with Tim Fevyer, director of reward and policy at Specsavers
Improving reward for employees is important, but it is no substitute for good, effective management practices, says Tim Fevyer, director of reward and policy at SpecsaversIt is not every day that an HR professional takes a private plane to a meeting, but for Tim Fevyer, director of reward and policy ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: Share schemes boost staff productivity
Employee participation in share plans brings benefits all round, say Alex Bryson and Richard FreemanMany big corporations use all-employee share plans in a package of high-involvement management tools. Under these plans, they can offer regular employees, as well as management-level staff, financial incentives to hold shares in the firm. In ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: A new stance on reward after the recession
A changed public perception of executive reward has forced a new approach to pay strategy, says Shaun TysonOne of the paradoxes of the recession is that demand for top, talented managers has continued undiminished in the private sector. In 2011, the economic climate is likely to be even harsher, but ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: Is your pay system working against you?
Strategic pay systems can do more harm than good, says Dr Jonathan TrevorSecuring employee performance through pay is now standard practice for most employers, large or small, domestic or multinational. Performance-based pay, incentives, lifestyle benefits and opportunities for equity ownership are important tools to secure desirable talent, driving staff motivation ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Bird and Bird will offer pension support
There will be no surprise tax bills at City law firm Bird and Bird, where staff will be supported through the new pension contribution limits.Tanya Bohm, senior rewards and benefits officer, says: "It is important all employees are fully informed and aware of the limits surrounding pension contributions and the ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: Academic insights: Factors that decide who escapes redundancy
Employees can prepare for the consequences of a company takeover, says Scott MoellerCan you trust an acquiring company's promises? Would anyone answer the above question 'yes' after the well-publicised news in early 2010 that Kraft, less than three weeks after agreeing to the purchase of British chocolate company Cadbury, reversed ...
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Case Studies
Case study: BP oils the wheels for staff on pension tax changes
BP has responded to the new pension contribution limits with a raft of education and support for employees.Ronnie Murray, head of UK pensions and benefits, is keen to ensure all staff are up to speed on the new rules. "We recognise that BP can, and should, help employees understand the ...