Employer-Paid

The number of people applying for U.S. unemployment benefits fell 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000 last week, the lowest since late September and further evidence of an improving job market.

Benefits for 1.3 million long-term unemployed people expire just three days after Christmas. Lawmakers say another 1.9 million people would miss out on the benefits in the first six months of next year.

Answers to your first two questions about 2014 are yes, and absolutely.

Employers, it appears, worked hard to hold down health plan cost increases this year. A Mercer study released Wednesday reported that the increase just 2.1 percent over last year was the lowest in 15 years.

Why do companies get into the business of offering financial advice to their employees? Is it paternalism?

Walmart employees organize food drive -- for other Walmart employees.