The merger has important potential ramifications for benefits advisors, who currently own a significant piece of the benefits experience via employee benefits decision-making, purchasing, and management.

A survey by the American Benefits Council, finds that 27 percent of employees consider tax deferral on contributions to employer-sponsored retirement savings as the most important tax benefit to them over the next 10 years, with health insurance coming in a close second.

Along with the oceans and the temperature, the retirement age worldwide is rising.

Health plans, medical practices and some Medicaid programs are increasingly offering financial incentives to motivate Medicaid patients to engage in more preventive care and make healthier lifestyle choices.