ing economic times. Other options
include allowing loan repayments
after termination or exploring new
options for allowing loans to roll over
from one employer to another.
■ Design 401(k) plans to benefit a
diverse employee base. Features
like automatic enrollment with
high default contribution rates and
periodic contribution increases
can go a long way in driving
strong, robust participation across
all demographics.
■ Educate employees to help them
make wise choices. Creating user-friendly and easily understood communication enables workers to learn
more about how to effectively manage
and grow their savings. This communication should incorporate different
cultural perspectives that resonate with
diverse groups of employees.
For more information, visit www.
arielinvestments.com.
—Preeti Vasishtha
Searching for
Guarantees
& Strong
Performance?
in brief
Small-Business Owners Need Help in
Health Care
Look at
Whole Life
Issued by the Insurers of the
UNIFI Companies
Many small-business owners lack funding for employee health-care coverage as well
as the expertise to select the best plans for their
workers. This opens the door to health-care-sav-vy insurance advisors who can provide education
and recommend affordable plans, according to a
new survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Nearly two-thirds ( 64 percent) of small-business owners said they lack the confidence
to pick coverage that fits their budgets and their
employees’ needs, says NAIC, which, in July, polled a participant sample
of 500 small-business decision-makers. One-third said they cannot afford
to provide employee health insurance.
In addition, many of those polled don’t understand the fiscal responsibilities associated with offering health insurance. Of those surveyed, 60
percent said they aren’t sure if they understand the tax implications of
contributing to their employees’ health insurance premiums. Only 27 percent said they understand all the factors that can affect their small-group
health premiums.
“In this economic environment, small-business owners need to be especially
mindful of any decision that will affect their financial future,” says Roger Sevi-gny, NAIC president and New Hampshire insurance commissioner. “Now, more
than ever, it is important they get smart about their choices and consider the
implications that making a bad decision could have on their business and their
employees’ future.”
www.unificompanies.com
;;iUfUbhYYX;WUg\;jU`iY
; ]bh Yf Ygh;fUh Y ;df Ya]ia
; &;XYUh\;VYbYÂ;h;
; 3;;Wcad;cb;dU]X!id;UXX]h]cbg
;A]b]aia;ZUWY;Uacibh
; $25,000
Learn more. Call us.
1-800-319-6903
Keystone Whole Life (Form UC 8612) and Keystone
Foundation Whole Life (Form 8613) are issued by The
Union Central Life Insurance Company. In New York,
Keystone Whole Life (Form FA 8612 NY) and Keystone
Foundation Whole Life (Form 5001 NY) are issued by
First Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York.
DS T 1330 5/09 © 2009 UNIFI Mutual Holding Company
November 2009 | ADVISOR TODAY 25
