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It is probably safe to assume that with the most recent news headlines of “Healthcare Costs to Increase in 2012”, “The State Exchanges in Health Care Reform” and “Health Care Compliance”, the majority of employers offering employee benefits programs are focusing their attention on Health Care Benefits while the ancillary benefit programs of Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Short-term Disability (STD) and Long-term Disability (LTD) are often left unattended to.Read More

By Jere L. Cowden, Chairman and Mark C. Muto, Financial Advisor Cowden Associates, Inc. The Answer Is Simple:  Requests for Proposals (RFP), Done Right, Result In: Reduced fiduciary risks Lower plan costs Improved service for plan participants More efficient internal … Continue reading →

This report continues to be a valuable benchmarking tool for employers on a regional basis. To maximize the usability of this data, the results are reported by: all participants, state, entity, organization size and primary plan type. We hope you find this year’s survey of value when comparing and benchmarking your employee benefit programs within the region. Read more

Calculate Your Company's Specific Healthcare Costs and Identify the Impact of the New Healthcare Reform Act. Using a proprietary on-line calculator, Cowden provides you with a tailored Health Insurance Reform Impact Report based on your company's existing organizational design and benefits package, to help you: Read more

 Health Insurance Reform became a reality with the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The impact on plan design and communication with employees begins with your first renewal after September 23, 2010. Read more

Diverse Manufacturer had numerous locations and different retirement plans at each; client wanted to reduce administrative and investment fees / costs associated with retirement plans and improve internal operations. Company had multiple divisions each with separate investment and administrative arrangements (several with the same investment/insurance company but not consolidated); No one had reviewed the arrangements to determine possible opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and / or cost savings.Read More

A Hospital client with approximately $40 million in assets was utilizing the bundled defined contribution investment and recordkeeping platform of a prominent insurance company, had not received competitive bids for many years and was concerned that fees might not be competitive.   The Hospital retained Cowden Associates, Inc. (“Cowden”) to perform an independent review and if appropriate solicit competitive bids and recommend alternatives for considerations. Read more

Hospital with approximately $40 million of assets and over 150 fund choices wanted an independent opinion of the appropriateness of investments offered and fees associated with their retirement plans. These contracts contained large hidden deferred sales charges. The hospital was relying on an insurance agent to select funds most of which were proprietary.  The contracts or arrangements had not been reviewed for possible opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and / or cost savings.Read More

Company was experiencing long-term data inconsistencies involving payroll, HRIS system and 401(k) recordkeeping.  The continual inconsistencies resulted in: Read more