Bank of America Corp. has reached a deal to sell its Balboa Life Insurance Co. unit to Securian Financial Group Inc. a privately held insurance and retirement planning company based in St. Paul, Minn.

Hiring slowed to a near-standstill last month, raising doubts that the economy will rebound in the second half of the year after a spring slump.

Job market shrinks, wellness programs expand to keep pace with employee waist lines.

Senior advocate group AARP joined Democrats on Thursday in opposition of rumored cuts to Medicare and Social Security, as President Obama and congressional leaders postpone talks on deficit reduction proposals.