In October 2024, Aon forecast a 10.0 percent global increase in medical-plan unit costs for 2025, compared with its 10.1 percent forecast for 2024. The release and report describe projections for employer medical plans. For benefits teams revisiting that period, the figures should remain labelled as forecasts rather than measured 2025 outcomes or individual renewal quotations. Read the regional comparisons carefully The report put the Middle East and Africa

In October 2024, the UK Autumn Budget announced a replacement for the non-domiciled remittance-basis regime and changes to employer National Insurance, with key measures planned from 6 April 2025. HM Treasury’s original overview brings the mobility and payroll elements together. It is a historical announcement record, rather than a complete guide to an individual’s present tax position. Examine the employee population The announcement described a residence-based regime, including a

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) has announced an exciting new initiative in partnership with Maven Clinic, the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health. On 1 October 2024, MAXIS GBN launched a comprehensive educational toolkit designed to help multinational companies provide essential support to employees experiencing menopause symptoms. The new service, available to MAXIS GBN’s multinational clients, aims to create a menopause-friendly work environment by providing

In a strategic move aimed at driving innovation and addressing evolving market needs, MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) has appointed Nicola Fordham as its new Chief Solutions Officer. This significant development was announced on 18 September 2024 and represents a fresh direction for the company’s approach to delivering solutions to multinational clients. Nicola Fordham, who previously held the position of Chief Underwriting Officer at MAXIS GBN, will now

London, 4 September 2024 – MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) proudly announces its latest partnership with Abi Global Health, a leading virtual care platform utilizing AI technology to connect individuals with healthcare professionals in under 40 seconds. This collaboration enables MAXIS GBN’s multinational clients to offer their employees immediate access to healthcare services, including physical and mental health support, via text, phone, or video consultations—anytime, anywhere. Abi’s cutting-edge

Zurich Global Employee Benefits Solutions (ZGEBS) has taken a bold step forward in its digital transformation journey, unveiling a suite of enhanced digital tools designed to streamline the way businesses manage global employee benefits. With new interactive dashboards, a dynamic online collaboration platform, and automated data transfer solutions, ZGEBS is setting a new standard for efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction. Innovation at the Core of Employee Benefits At the

In September 2024, Swiss voters rejected the occupational-pension reform in the referendum held on 22 September. The Federal Social Insurance Office records the package as a rejected reform. For employer benefits teams, the immediate significance is that its proposed changes should not be described as benefits rules enacted by that vote. Close the proposal with its outcome The package sought to strengthen second-pillar financing, broadly maintain pension levels and

GBV interview with Dr Leena Johns – What Should We Call Mental Distress? – Flow: People Who Are Easily Absorbed In An Activity May Have Better Mental And Cardiovascular Health – Promising Results For A Combined COVID And Flu Vaccine – How Expectations Influence Workplace Well-Being Interventions

In the July-August 2024 issue: GBV interview with Dr Leena Johns And: What Should We Call Mental Distress? – Nick Haslam, Naomi Baes Flow: People Who Are Easily Absorbed In An Activity May Have Better Mental And Cardiovascular Health – Miriam Mosing Promising Results For A Combined COVID And Flu Vaccine – Jaya Dantas How Expectations Influence Workplace Well-Being Interventions – Mehak Bharti, Ellen Choi, Nadège Levallet

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) proudly announces the appointment of Tamara Truta Amizic as the new Regional Business Development Manager for the West US and LATAM regions. In her new role, Tamara will spearhead outbound business initiatives, providing strategic leadership to the existing team, and fostering close collaboration with MAXIS’ esteemed clients and partners. With over two decades of experience in global employee benefits, Tamara brings unparalleled expertise

In July 2024, Luxembourg government guidance explained how compensation should be handled when two statutory public holidays fall on the same day. Coincidence does not simply erase one entitlement. The appropriate treatment depends on the employee’s normal work schedule and whether work is actually performed. For employers, this is a practical leave and payroll administration issue with consequences for employees working different patterns. Begin with the individual schedule The

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) in June 2024 published the 2024 edition its annual “Employee benefits: Global insurance networks’ matrix” table. An indispensable tool of the trade for global employee benefits practitioners, it is available for download as a PDF, no registration required. The matrix “provides a complete listing of the eight global benefits networks, and their affiliated insurers and their offshore (third-country national or expat) capabilities.”

Morten Unneberg Interview – Insurope; Immune Health Is All About Balance – Food And Your Gut Microbiome Are Your Built-In Weight Loss System – Alcohol Use Disorder Can Be Treated – Does Your Service Business Need AI? – Mac At 40: User Experience Was The Innovation

In the May-June 2024 issue: Morten Unneberg Interview – Insurope And: Immune Health Is All About Balance – Aimee Pugh Bernard Food And Your Gut Microbiome Are Your Built-In Weight Loss System – Christopher Damman Alcohol Use Disorder Can Be Treated – Joseph P. Schacht Does Your Service Business Need AI? – David Cohen, Christopher Meyer, Sudhir Nair Mac At 40: User Experience Was The Innovation – Jacob O.

In June 2024, the US Social Security Administration documented Guernsey’s phased secondary pensions programme, citing local law and guidance. Employers with at least twenty six employees entered the first phase in July 2024, with smaller employers following under the published timetable. The programme supplements the State Pension and includes automatic enrolment for eligible workers, with opt out and re enrolment provisions. For multinational employers, the milestone illustrates how a

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in June 2024 announced that the G20 gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.9 % quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter (Q1) 2024, according to provisional estimates, up slightly from 0.7 % in the previous quarter (Chart 1). The area’s economic performance was primarily supported by China and India in Q1 2024[1]. Together with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Indonesia, they recorded GDP growth rates

In June 2024, Germany’s official Make it in Germany portal described the new Opportunity Card for qualifying third country jobseekers. Initial job search residence can last up to twelve months, with secondary employment of up to twenty hours a week and limited job trials. Applicants may qualify through recognised skilled worker status or a points route with additional basic requirements. The practical recruitment lesson is to distinguish a person’s

In June 2024, Norway’s Ministry of Children and Families announced that the parental-benefit period at the 80 percent coverage level would increase from 295 to 306 benefit days from 1 July 2024. The stated objective was to bring the total payment broadly into line with the 100 percent option. The change concerned the relationship between replacement level and duration within the statutory system. Compare the whole benefit period A

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in May 2024 announced its latest trade numbers. After falling in 2023, G20 merchandise exports (current US dollars) bounced back in Q1 2024. Compared with Q4 2023, exports rose by 1.9 %, driven by strong growth from China, while imports slipped by 0.2 %, partly reflecting lower energy prices. According to preliminary estimates, G20 services trade continued to expand in Q1

In May 2024, South Africa’s Presidency confirmed the signing of the National Health Insurance Bill into law. The signing remarks explicitly described implementation as phased, with systems and governance arrangements still to be established. For employer health programmes, this historical milestone should be read as an enacted reform with an implementation process. It did not establish overnight operational coverage or automatically answer what every employer should do with its

Adriana Scherzinger has a rich background in the insurance industry, which has been highlighted by her recent appointment as Zurich Insurance Group’s group head of captives. She has been with Zurich since 2005, having held various significant roles across different regions, including Latin America and the Middle East, and more recently in the U.S. and Switzerland​​. Scherzinger’s educational background includes an Executive MBA from Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil

In April 2024, the British government confirmed commencement of a new entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave in Great Britain. Acas guidance describes up to one usual working week in twelve months, available from the first day of employment to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long term care need. The benefit created protected time away from work. Employers should distinguish that statutory baseline from any additional

In April 2024, the OECD published Taxing Wages 2024, comparing labour taxation across eight model household types using 2023 observations. For a single average wage worker without children, the OECD average tax wedge was 34.8% of labour cost. That measure combines employer and employee labour taxes and social contributions, net of family benefits. It is not an individual’s expatriate tax rate. Mobility teams can use the report to examine

Oscar Health, an American health insurance company known for its innovative approach, has signaled a strong position for growth in 2024. Founded in 2012, Oscar Health was created to simplify the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system through technology, data, and design. The company’s recent financial performance and strategic operations highlight its potential for profitability and expansion. Financial Milestones and Growth Indicators Oscar Health‘s CEO, Mark Bertolini, recently announced

Introduction: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Workforce Health The MAXIS GBN 2024 report illuminates the multifaceted influences of industry, culture, and gender on workforce health. Drawing from an extensive analysis of medical claims data, it reveals critical insights into how these elements shape health outcomes and healthcare costs. Industry Influence on Health: A Closer Look Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions emerge as a predominant concern, with spending on MSK care witnessing

In the latest quarter of 2023, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported a slight downturn in real household income per capita, marking a pivotal moment after a year of consistent growth. This shift, contrary to the 0.3% rise in real GDP per capita, unveils the intricate dynamics beneath the surface of economic indicators, spotlighting the diverse fiscal landscapes across member countries. The OECD’s analysis, aggregating data

In a strategic move to enhance its Business Development (BD) efforts across key global regions, MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) proudly announces the appointments of Aaron Brown and Larry Howley as the new Regional Directors for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Americas regions, respectively. This announcement was made from London on 6 February 2024, marking a significant step in ensuring MAXIS GBN’s commitment to delivering