Friday November 20, 2009
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From WSJ.com/Small-Business
Small Business Crunches Numbers on Health Bill
By By Emily Maltby and Raymund Flandez
The health-care bill’s big price tag leaves many of the nation's roughly 30 million entrepreneurs bitter about Saturday’s vote.
Obama Officials: Health Overhaul to Help Small Firms
Administration officials and small-business groups recently disagreed on whether an insurance system overhaul will help or hurt.
More Benefits, Fewer Taxes
Save your employees and your business money by providing fringe benefits.
Businesses Favor Baucus's Health Bill
Business groups that have opposed House versions of a health bill say they are warmer toward the version emerging from Sen. Baucus's Finance Committee.
Banks Battle For Health Savings Accounts
Banks and insurers are fighting for tax-advantaged HSAs to remain as one of the options in health-care reform.
Don’t Kill Your 401(k)
New rules allow small businesses to suspend — rather than terminate — their plans.
Small Businesses Wary of Health Reform Costs
The small-business community is receptive to the president's goal to make health care more affordable, to a point. Here are some of their concerns.
New Retirement Rules: 6 Ways to Ease Plan Costs
Retirement plan fees continue to rise. Here’s how small businesses can cope.
New Retirement Rules: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Retirement plan fees are being hiked to make up for lost profits. Small business owners are likely to be hit the hardest.
Burger Chain's Health-Care Recipe
Four years ago, restaurant chain Burgerville agreed to pay at least 90% of employees’ health-care premiums. In return, they cut turnover, boosted sales and improved productivity.
Cost Cutters: 7 Ways to Contain Business Health-Care Costs
Even if health reforms pass soon, effects won’t be felt until 2013. Here’s how to contain volatile health-care costs now.
Calif.'s Lessons on Insurance Exchanges
As Congress debates creating insurance ''exchanges'' as part of a health-care overhaul, the failure of a similar effort in California may offer important insights.
Small 401(k) Plans Often Pay Big Fees
Currently small-business 401(k) participants get hit with higher fees than at large companies. However, thanks to a proposed legislation, that could change.
Treading Carefully With Wellness Programs
Businesses that seek to lower health care costs by asking employees about personal habits could face legal woes.
Sick and Getting Sicker
For entrepreneurs trying to start or run a business, the obstacles are huge. But few loom as large as health care.
Businesses Worry About New Burdens
Executives are concerned that health-care bills being hammered out in Congress would place onerous burdens on their businesses.
Rewards Help Soothe Hard Times
Despite the economic slowdown, downsized small businesses are offering rewards to remaining staff to boost morale and to compensate them for doing extra work.
Hard-to-Insure Find Coverage
People who have lost their health insurance are turning to a little-known strategy: forming a business, or using an existing one, to buy a group policy.
More Small Firms Drop Health Care
Accelerating health-care premiums and revenue shortfalls are forcing some small companies to choose between insurance – or staying in business.
The Value of Voluntary Benefits
More small companies are turning to voluntary benefits as a low-cost way to bolster a business and empower employees.
Novel Approach to Health Plans
As the Obama administration wrestles with how to expand health-care, some organizations are offering a range of medical services at a reduced rate to small-business employees.
Voluntary Benefits 101
As the economy worsens, business owners are slashing costly benefits. Here are a few less expensive voluntary benefits worth considering.
Keeping Up With the New COBRA
How small businesses can take advantage of a new government subsidy for COBRA payments.
Labor Legislation Could Be Bad News for Businesses
A proposal to allow government intervention in labor disputes could prove costly.
Walking the Employee Benefits Tightrope
In tough times, company perks tend to take the hit first. But how do you eliminate them while keeping employees happy?
Small Firms Shiver as Health Premiums Rise
Small employers say they are feeling the pain of much higher rises in premiums for health insurance.
Some Firms Suspend 401(k) Match
A growing number of small businesses are suspending their 401(k) match, and, in some instances, closing the retirement plans altogether.
Cost Cutters: 8 Ways to Save on Health Care for Employees
How employers can slash health-care costs without skimping on employees' coverage.
3 Perks That Work in Lieu of Raises
In a down economy, raises aren’t exactly an option. To keep employees happy, offer creative benefits instead.
3 Steps to Increase Your Health Capital
Treat your well-being as an asset and all of your assets will benefit.
How Candidates' Health-Care Proposals Will Impact Small Businesses
Here's what business owners can expect.
Small Firms Beef Up Retirement Services
Small businesses are helping employees become better managers — of their own money.
Turning to Professional Insurance Groups
As health-insurance premiums rise, increasing numbers are turning to professional associations and groups that offer grouplike health coverage to their members.
Asked & Answered: FSAs vs. HSAs
Our employees want flexible spending accounts. But is it better to offer HSAs?
Companies Win Savings As Workers Lose Pounds
Some businesses are running competitions that, in effect, pay workers to lose weight, while reducing health costs.
Health-Care Tax Credit Proposed for Small Business
Sen. Obama has unveiled a plan to provide tax credits for small businesses offering health insurance to employees.
Go Out and Play
Company retreats can help you attract, keep and inspire productive teams.
QA: Making a High-Deductible Plan Work
Insurance brokers increasingly are pitching high-deductible plans to smaller companies as a way to guard against climbing costs.
Hire Your Spouse and Save
Employing a spouse, or a child, can help you save on health benefits and taxes.
Don't Hire People Just Like You
'Mirror-hiring' has its positives, but a diverse work force can enhance innovation and productivity.
Providing Health Benefits While Reining in Costs
Small companies do have options for keeping costs in check while still providing benefits and services to employees.
The Key to Retaining Sales Talent
Good salespeople are worth their weight in gold. That's why it pays to reward them with a pair of golden handcuffs.
Firms Adjust to Health-Care Law
An innovative San Francisco health-care law is prompting some businesses to raise prices and curtail hiring, but also defray medical costs for more workers.
Starting Up: Solo Health Care
Thinking of starting your own business? Better check your health-care options first.
Embrace Greener Commuting
Reduce your carbon footprint with employee carpool and biking incentives.
Top 10 Employee Recruitment Mistakes
You need to know what skills and characteristics you're seeking and have a plan by which you'll find the best candidates
Tips for Better Returns on Training
How small employers can make sure their training dollars are well spent.
How to Tap Government Grants For Staff Training
With some diligence, even someone with little knowledge of the labyrinth of government agencies can locate programs.
Secrets of Superstar Employers
These 6 companies offer plenty of reasons for employees to stick around.
Moving to a Small Company Can Lead to Big Rewards
There is a significant upside for professionals moving from a big pond to a smaller one.
Workers Get Incentives to Live Greener
Small firms are offering incentives to get employees to become more environmentally friendly.
Employers Explore Health-Care Options
Some employers are offering allowances or stipends to employees who buy their own health insurance. Critics say workers may wind up without insurance.
Time for a Checkup?
Small-business owners who concluded they couldn't afford to offer employee health insurance may want to take another look.
Starting Up: Low-Cost Health Care
Some states offer breaks to small companies that provide health care to rank-and-file workers.
Volunteering as a Benefit
Learn how some companies are offering employee volunteer programs that are motivating current employees and attracting new ones.
Quick Tips: Limiting Liability in Retirement Plans
A Supreme Court case could give employees new grounds to sue. Here's how to limit your liability.
Setting Up HRAs
Answers to your questions about health-reimbursement-arrangement plans.
Why They Choose to Stay
Sometimes exit interviews don't yield enough information to solve a retention problem. That's why Columbia MedCom Group asked employees why they stay.
HR in a Box
Managing human resources is a common struggle for smaller companies. Now a growing crop of software products aim to help.
OSHA Exceptions for Small Businesses
The government agency that oversees workplace safety has special rules when it comes to an employer's size.
Part-Time Employees and 401(k)s
Answers to a reader's question about part-time employees and 401(k)s.
Buying Real Estate Inside Your IRA
Find out if there are SEP individual-retirement-account custodians who allow the purchase of real estate.
Starting Up: A Benefits Package Can Reel In Talent
When you're looking to hire the best, offering benefits may give you an edge.
How to Protect Employees From Injury
Business owners need to protect employees from workplace hazards. Here's how.
Call a Doctor!
Can the ailing health insurance system be revived?
Small Business Retirement Plans
Here's a rundown of your retirement plan options. The best plan will vary depending upon your needs.
Health Insurance for Your Small Business
With premiums soaring, many owners say they can't afford it. But we've got four ways to make it work.
Keep Your Single Staff in Mind
Play fair with single employees if you want them to stick around.
The Perks of the Solo Defined-Benefit Plan
One-person businesses can create their own pension plans. Is this option right for you?
The Solo 401(k)
The "solo 401(k)" allows you to set aside more for retirement than ever before.
Developing an 'Employer Brand'
Here are four ways that employers on tight budgets can stand out in a crowded job market.
Small-Business Owners Try HSAs to Trim Health Costs
More small-business owners are saying it's the best way to offer health care to employees.
Tax-Free Retirement Accounts for the Self-Employed
Comparing SEPs, Keoghs, Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs.
- Take Advantage of Electronic Communication
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