Top health care reform stories

1. Republicans push HHS for more transparency on waiver program as outrage builds.
2. New study released this week suggests most Americans want health care reform repealed, even though they strongly support some aspects of the Affordable Care Act.
3. Implementation marches forward in Maryland and North Carolina, stumbles in Kansas and Texas.
4. Survey findings validate the importance of brokers for consumers buying insurance, while the role of brokers in a post-PPACA system remains in question.
5. New coalition of business groups forms to lobby against health insurance tax.

Top retirement stories

1. Working is the new retirement plan, as many older Americans may never recover from the "Great Recession."
2. Plan sponsors are in the final stages of complying with new 403(b) regulations, despite early confusion.
3. 401(k) participation rates rising.
4. IRA rollover contributions could total $2 trillion within the next four years.
5. Last week's Supreme Court ruling opens the door to monetary awards against fiduciaries (PDF).

 Top HR stories

1. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits increases, even though employers are struggling to fill critical positions.
2. Social media usage confounds employers
3. Employers should assume they are being digitally monitored as more employees engage in their own surveillance.
4. More employees are looking for flexible working arrangements.
5. DOL releases a new wage-tracking app that worries employers.

 Top benefits stories

1. LIMRA identifies growth opportunities for voluntary plans with mid-size employers.
2. IRS announces new HSA limits for 2012.
3. Pet insurance is growing in popularity.
4. Portrait of a CDHP enrollee: higher income, more educated and healthier than those in traditional plans.
5. Mob of grandmas invade Times Square to raise LTC awareness.