You've decided that buying a long-term care policy for yourself and your spouse is the right choice. The figures, however, are daunting, and the premiums exceed your budget. If you are considering long-term care insurance, the option to receive necessary assistance in your own home may be preferable to living in a nursing home.  Because the vast majority of the middle-aged and senior population favors this option, the insurance industry has responded. The assisted living and

With 2026 now upon us, so are a slew of new laws and regulations that affect California businesses. Every year, legislation passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor takes effect, and 2025 was a busy legislative session in Sacramento. The end result is another wave of new legislation that California employers need to stay on top of. Here's what California employers should be aware of.   1. Protected leave expanded AB 406, which took effect Oct. 1, 20

Applicable large employers face a familiar but unforgiving task each winter: reporting their group health coverage details to the IRS. With key Affordable Care Act filing deadlines falling in early 2026, employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees should already be reviewing records, reconciling data, and preparing required forms to avoid penalties. ACA reporting is largely about accuracy and timing, and problems often stem from waiting too long to pull informati

Employers are heading into what may be one of the most challenging years for managing group health costs. The new report by Business Group on Health (BGH) outlines developments that will shape next year's benefits environment. Rising medical and pharmacy spending, a rapidly changing policy landscape, and increased pressure for innovation may pressure employers to revisit long-standing strategies and consider new ones. Below are six trends the report predicts will affect healt

The expiration of enhanced premium subsidies that have helped millions of Americans afford individual health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges at the end of 2025 will be felt by employers offering group health plans. As exchange coverage becomes less affordable for many households, more workers may look to employer-sponsored plans for stability, while employers that fund Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) to help employees buy cove

The last weeks of the year are a good time to clean up your financial life. A little attention now can boost your retirement savings, trim your future tax bill and set you up to start next year in better shape. Here are practical year-end actions to consider, especially if you are focused on retirement and taxes.   Max out retirement contributions Check how much you've contributed so far to your retirement plans. If your budget allows, consider increasing the amount for the r

Ah, the age-old conundrum: seniors vs. technology. It's a battle that's been raging for years, with the younger generation often serving as unwitting referees. But what happens when the go-to tech guru, aka the 14-year-old whiz kid, is nowhere to be found? Fear not, dear seniors! There's hope on the horizon.   As it turns out, the tech industry has been hard at work, crafting solutions to bridge the generational gap. Gone are the days of waiting for Junior to come home from s

December brings with it a chance to spend time with family and other loved ones, but the lead-up to the holidays and even the holidays themselves can also be a source of great stress for many people. Besides being busy at work at the end of the year, most people have to contend with Christmas parties, preparing for the holidays with their families, buying gifts, dealing with bad traffic -- and perhaps money problems. Some people are also lonely during the holidays.    If you

There are some special circumstances in which you can sign up late for Medicare without paying penalties. After the initial enrollment period, you  can sign up  for optional programs during  special enrollment periods . If you or your spouse continued working past your 65th birthday and had health insurance through your employer, you won’t have to pay a penalty for late enrollment in any of the Medicare programs. Beginning the month after you end your employment, or when your

Thanksgiving weekend brings a surge in Black Friday shopping scams, with criminals using fake discounts and deals to trick shoppers. Warning Signs & How to Stay Safe Fake Discounts Scammers promote massive fake deals on popular items to lure quick purchases. Impersonation Scams Fraudsters create lookalike websites of trusted brands like Amazon or Walmart. Phishing Emails Scammers send promotional emails containing malicious links disguised as holiday deals. Fake Order Confir