By now, you’ve probably become quite familiar with the term “Brexit”. This is the shorthand way of referring to the UK leaving the economic and political partnership known as the European Union. While the vote that took place on Thursday, June 23, 2016, will have many far reaching consequences, the effect on the financial markets is definitely worth strong consideration on the part of investors. Here, we explain what we know now, our observations and what this could potentially mean for you moving forward. 

While Financial Wellness seems to be one of the most popular trending topics among employee benefits and retirement plan professionals, how does this concept play into the big picture of overall "wellness"? In this New Frontier of Wellness series, AFS 401(k) Advisor, Alex Assaley uses his expertise and experience to explain how Financial Wellness programs are impacting people, why employers should consider them, and how to implement Financial Wellness for your own employees. 

While Financial Wellness seems to be one of the most popular trending topics among employee benefits and retirement plan professionals, how does this concept play into the big picture of overall "wellness"? In this New Frontier of Wellness series, AFS 401(k) Advisor, Alex Assaley uses his expertise and experience to explain how Financial Wellness programs are impacting people, why employers should consider them, and how to implement Financial Wellness for your own employees. 

Jason Crane has been in the business of retirement for over 15 years. As a wholesaler for Transamerica, he has a proven track record of providing companies and their employees with high-quality retirement plan products. With his most recent role though, he's working to help employers take more into consideration than account balances, investment performance and the bottom line. 

In our interview with Jason, who is also the keynote speaker for our 2016 Employee Benefits Symposium, he talks about the changing focus in the retirement space, how technology plays a part and what this means for an organization's future. 

The intersection of health and wealth are steadfastly becoming a hot button issue in the employee benefits world. With the cost of healthcare on the rise and the aging of the workforce, this causes a problem for both employer and employee. Ryan Tiernan, Senior HSA Consultant with Access Point HSA and speaker at our upcoming Employee Benefits Symposium takes a look at how Health Savings Accounts may be part of the answer to this issue. 

Hugh O'Toole, a speaker at our 2016 Employee Benefits Symposium, is disrupting employee benefits with data. After years of working for MassMutual heading up retirement plan distribution and relationship management, Hugh O'Toole broke out on his own. With that, Viability Advisory Group was born where he developed a patent-pending analysis program to show companies, based on their specific demographics and benefits offering, how their employees' lack of retirement preparedness has long-standing effects not just on those individuals, but on a business as a whole. 

In this interview, we explore Hugh's road to the financial services industry, how his innovative use of data is changing the industry, and how he works with CFOs to implement important changes that are good for not just a company, but for everyone. 

Check out Alex Assaley on the cover of the May 2016 issue of Employee Benefit Adviser Magazine, where he discusses everything from his journey to becoming a financial advisor, the need for Financial Wellness in the workplace and how our new digital platform, MoneyNav, can help employees. 

You may have heard about announcement of new Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rules today. In reviewing the final regulation’s highlights – I think the DOL has worked very closely with many industry practitioners in an effort to construct a workable rule that best serves working Americans while also recognizing the importance of advisors and service providers in creating successful retirement plans.

While Financial Wellness seems to be one of the most popular trending topics among employee benefits and retirement plan professionals, how does this concept play into the big picture of overall "wellness"? In this New Frontier of Wellness series, AFS 401(k) Advisor, Alex Assaley uses his expertise and experience to explain how Financial Wellness programs are impacting people, why employers should consider them, and how to implement Financial Wellness for your own employees. 

Every CFO and their finance department is intently focused on managing the corporation or organization’s cash and bottom line. Metrics are reviewed monthly, if not more frequently, to understand the company’s revenues, liabilities, budget, capital reserves, and operating capital (cash). Additionally, concerted efforts are made to get the best return on a corporation’s cash assets – which in the large corporate market can serve as a catalyst to acquisition activity, stock buybacks, and other strategies.