Shopping online. Visiting the doctor. Buying gas. In nearly all of the things we do from day to day, there’s the risk of identity theft. You could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster thinking you’re...

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If you have a homeowners policy, you probably expect it to cover all the costs of rebuilding your house in case it’s damaged or destroyed by a covered hazard. But are you certain you have enough coverage? Read about two...

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Did you know that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States commute to work by bicycle, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? That’s a lot of cars off the road each day, a lot of gasoline saved and a ton of...

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Summer’s almost here. The sun will come out of hiding, and people will, too. As crowds swell at the beach, in parks, and even on roadways, it all makes for some challenging driving conditions. More people are out and...

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Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too. But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can...

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Talking to Your Teen About Safe Driving When teens begin to drive, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council, the sobering statistics start to pile up:Car...

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It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But does that really work? Or is it just a waste of electricity — particularly this...

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If you are already enrolled in Medicare, this can be an important time of year for you. The Medicare Open-Enrollment Period that runs from October 15, 2016 through December 7, 2016, gives you an opportunity to make...

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By now, most of us are familiar with Obamacare and the changes it has made in our country’s health care laws. One of the most far-reaching changes is the Individual Mandate that requires most Americans to have health...

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When considering which Medicare insurance plan to choose, the first step is to make sure you work with a licensed insurance agent that understands Medicare and the supplemental plan choices. The knowledgeable staff at...

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Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to clean the cobwebs out of the corners, organize the closets and so forth. While you’re at it, don’t forget to revisit the important documents and other items you have in your...

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We are pleased to announce that we have moved to our new office at 621 N First Avenue, Stayton, Oregon. We are very excited about this move and as always, remain committed to providing the same excellent insurance...

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Spring is a time for rejuvenation, and, as the weather gets warmer here in Oregon and the days grow longer, there's a positive energy in the air. Many people decide it's the perfect time for reorganizing and refreshing...

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Community involvement can be a rewarding experience. It offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community where you live and work. Serving on a nonprofit board is just one way to have an impact; however,...

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Freezing temperatures, gusts of wind, patches of ice – winter can be a horrible time to be on the road, especially if you’re on vacation and aren’t used to driving in winter conditions. And, it’s an even worse time to...

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About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S....

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It's not unusual, when you set out on that holiday trip, to look back at the house a little nervously. Sure, you remembered to lock the doors, but just how secure are things? What might happen while you're away?One way...

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Infographic courtesy of The Allstate Blog.

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If you are already enrolled in Medicare, this can be an important time of year for you. The Medicare Open-Enrollment Period that runs from October 15, 2015 through December 7, 2015, gives you an opportunity to make...

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It's become almost as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and football: Black Friday, the morning-after (or in some cases evening-after) shopping spree. It's the biggest shopping day of the year, an event in its own...

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By now, most of us are familiar with Obamacare and the changes it has made in our country's health care laws. One of the most far-reaching changes is the Individual Mandate that requires most Americans to have health...

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Fall brings more than just changing leaves and shorter days. In many areas, it also comes with a shift in weather conditions that can have a serious impact on your home. And, don’t forget, winter is right around the...

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It's back-to-school time, and, if you have school-age children, your household is likely bustling with activity and filling up with books and backpacks. There are other households and school districts in your community,...

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Two thirds of households in America have air conditioners, according to the U.S. Department of Energy — and they spend a total of $11 billion each year running them. Our guess is that most of those households (which may...

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Memorial Day might be the unofficial start of summer, but Independence Day is when the season truly kicks into high gear. July 4 is a holiday that has something for everyone, whether you like to host (or attend)...

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By now, most of us are familiar with Obamacare and the changes it has made in our country's health care laws. One of the most far-reaching changes was the Individual Mandate that requires most Americans to have health...

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From genetically modified crops to the environmental and health effects of pesticides, more and more Oregon residents are questioning whether they should grow what they eat. Wherever you stand on the issues surrounding...

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Slippery sidewalks. Freezing temperatures. Power outages. Winter isn't always a wonderland. If you regularly lend a hand to a senior friend or family member here in Oregon, it may be a good time of the year to provide...

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It's easy to forget about your tires when it comes to vehicle safety. But with winter weather already in many parts of the country, tires are an important aspect you should keep in mind. Your tires can be the difference...

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As a nation, our pets are like family, so let's make sure they enjoy the holidays with us while staying safe. As a general rule of thumb, always keep pets on a regular routine, even during the holiday season. Don't let...

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Yes, it's already time to start thinking about school again. Getting a head start can pay big dividends for you and your kids as they head back to class. But, it's not just what they need for school that matters. It's...

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In 1984, National Night Out - "America's Night Out Against Crime" - began as a way to promote crime prevention through neighborhood camaraderie. Since then, according to the National Association of Town Watch (NATW),...

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"Reduce, reuse, recycle." Most likely, you've heard that catchy phrase connected with information about saving natural resources and even saving your family money. But how many of us really make reducing, reusing and...

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With the recent passage of Oregon's Landlord-Tenant Senate Bill 91, a landlord may now require a tenant to obtain and maintain a renter's liability insurance policy. The amount of required coverage however, may not...

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If you're like most people, there are certain items you own that you can't imagine ever losing - possessions you deeply cherish or those that would be impossible to replace due to the cost of re-purchasing them or...

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If you're wondering about the small employer group health care tax credit, we've got some answers. Recently our state's health insurance exchange marketplace known as Cover Oregon updated us on how small businesses can...

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While fall and winter have their own pleasures, longer nights mean increased danger on the roads. You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23%...

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Everyone wants to keep their home safe from burglars or intruders, but not everyone wants to have an alarm system installed. There are plenty of people who prefer the do-it-yourself route, whether it's home improvement...

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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that results when certain fuels do not burn completely. And it can be deadly. That's why it's important to know how to prevent it, detect it, and protect yourself...

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The holiday season is here - time to eat good food and join together with loved ones. For many who have families far away, this is also is the time to pack up and get out of Oregon. If you are gearing up to travel and...

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Finally, we're welcoming fall, that eagerly anticipated season when we get to enjoy cooler temps, colorful leaves and, of course, football season in Oregon. Football brings with it a whole host of seasonal activities...

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Fall is a wonderful time to be outside on your bike, thanks to the crisp, cool weather and changing colors of the landscape. Staying safe on the road in autumn requires some special precautions, however. Because we at...

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The U.S. Department of Labor's Technical Release 2013-2 specifies all employers must provide a notice of coverage to each employee, regardless of plan enrollment status or of part-time or full-time status. Employers do...

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Under the current law, an employer is required to satisfy nondiscrimination rules in the administration of their health plan. Although these rules are currently in effect, a lack of Federal guidance has delayed any...

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You've probably heard this horror story before - someone loses a home due to a flood and learns after the fact that standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage. At Rhodes-Warden Insurance we want you to be...

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For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories - whether at home or away But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Each year, homes in...

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There's nothing quite like driving a speedy, shiny classic car that turns heads and starts conversations. In fact, the beauty and elegance of old collectibles - like the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, the 1963 Corvette Sting...

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As the third year of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gets underway, employers will see an impact on the health coverage they offer their employees. Here is a brief summary of some of the taxes, fees and impending legal...

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Driver distractions or inattentive driving play a part in one out of every four motor vehicle crashes. That is more than 1.5 million collisions a year and 4,300 crashes daily, according to the National Highway Traffic...

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On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. A key component of this new health care reform law is the "Individual Mandate" which becomes effective on January 1,...

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The first years teenagers spend as drivers are very risky. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds and research shows that more than half of teens who die in crashes are passengers,...

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Spring is a time of new beginnings in Oregon - and now is a great time to take on some cleaning and organization tasks around your home. If you're anything like many of us here at Rhodes-Warden Insurance, some of these...

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Be safe in your home - Health and safety agencies often use the change to Daylight Saving Time to remind people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms. The American Red Cross suggests you test your smoke alarms...

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It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the winter months in Oregon can be a challenge. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days - not to mention kids passing around colds at...

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If you're a snowbird and you're headed away from the cold this winter to a sunnier and warmer spot, you can move on to the next article. Just know that we here at Rhodes-Warden Insurance Agency wish you a safe journey -...

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Millions of Americans will do some traveling this holiday season - the majority of it by car. Of course, winter weather creates a unique set of challenges on the roadways, whether you're simply driving around in Lebanon...

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In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of two contentious provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the case National Federation of Independent Business et al. v. Sibelius, Secretary of Health...

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It's an exciting time when your child heads off to college. Whether they're attending school in Oregon or have moved all the way across the country, there were a ton of things to get done last month, but did you...

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Employer group disability income plans offer tremendous tax advantages to both employer and employee. The employer can deduct premiums as a business expense, and they do not count toward the employee's taxable income....

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ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act), the federal law governing private-sector retirement plans, requires those responsible for managing retirement plans to carry out their responsibilities prudently and...

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It's a night full of treats for both kids and adults. But a number of factors - including lots of people walking in the dark, the threat of wet and stormy weather, strangers coming to your door - mean that Halloween can...

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When conducting a dependent audit, please be aware that the Affordable Care Act prohibits health plans from rescinding coverage, except in the event of fraud, intentional misrepresentation of material fact or failure to...

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Although employers have no obligation to subsidize dependent coverage, many do. By dropping coverage for ineligible dependents, your firm saves that premium contribution. Even if you don't subsidize dependent coverage,...

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According to the most recent U.S. Department of Labor National Compensation Survey, just 26 percent of workers in private industry had access to employer-provided vision care benefits. In comparison, 70 percent had...

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Pension plans fall into one of two categories: defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans. A cash balance plan has features of both. They can also be simpler to administer than some other plans. Is a cash...

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There's nothing quite like taking a road trip in an RV. Whether you're headed to somewhere nearby or somewhere farther away this summer, Rhodes-Warden Insurance wants you to get the most out of your travels. General...

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Two important trends are converging and affecting employers' health benefit programs. As medical technologies and treatments improve, more people are surviving once-fatal forms of cancer, heart disease and other...

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Are you looking to reward a few highly compensated employees? Are you unwilling to take on a lot of extra benefits paperwork and administrative costs? A nonqualified retirement plan could meet the needs of your...

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Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let employees or dependents set aside money, before taxes, for qualified healthcare expenses. Employers can use them to incentivize employees to...

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Whether you're planning a trip to a local attraction in Oregon this summer, or headed all the way across the country, you want your vacation to be relaxing. It's a getaway from work, not to mention your day-to-day life....

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No doubt you've heard the buzz about consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs), which seek to control employers' healthcare costs by giving consumers "skin in the game." With the cost of providing dental benefits increasing,...

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The National Retirement Risk Index published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found 44 percent of U.S. households were "at risk" for financial insecurity during retirement. When it considered the...

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The Profit Sharing/401k Council of America's 54th Annual Survey of Profit Sharing and 401k Plans provides an in-depth look at current practices in profit-sharing and 401(k) plans. Eligibility: Respondents reported that...

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Why should I have a home inventory? - Your furniture and appliances, clothing, sports or hobby equipment, and electronic goods are all regarded as personal property. Like many people in Oregon, you may own much more...

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If your employees are typical, fewer than 20 percent know how much you contribute each month toward their health insurance premiums. How can employees value their benefits if they don't know what they cost? Surprisingly,...

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The year was 1911, the city was Passaic, New Jersey, and the company was the now-defunct Pantasote Leather Company. That's when and where the first group life insurance policy was issued. The most common form of group...

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Women comprised 46.8 percent of the total U.S. labor force in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Many of these working women will become pregnant at least once during their careers. Improper handling of...

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Looking to boost employee participation in your retirement plans? Remind them of the retirement savings contributions credit (saver's credit), which allows qualifying individuals to take a tax credit of up to $1,000 ($2,...

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COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, allows workers and family members who would otherwise lose their benefits to temporarily continue health coverage at group rates. If you had 20 or more...

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When purchasing a trailer in Oregon or elsewhere, stay within recommended capacity guidelines. When determining capacity, remember to include the weight of fuel and accessories in addition to the weight of the craft....

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The Internal Revenue Service has announced dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement accounts for Tax Year 2012. In general, many of the pension plan limitations will change because the increase in the...

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As healthcare costs continue to rise faster than inflation, wellness programs have gotten a lot of attention lately. What exactly is a wellness program, and how do you start one? Why wellness? First off, lifestyle...

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As with nearly everything else, retirement plans require periodic maintenance to keep running smoothly. Here are some suggestions to ensure your plan complies with all laws and regulations and meets the goals of your...

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In late March, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on several provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) essentially determining its fate. Most attention centered on the minimum coverage provision, the so-called "...

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With employees working harder than ever before, many say it's becoming more difficult to find a balance between work and home life. If you want a low-cost way to improve job satisfaction and increase productivity,...

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The good news is employers are doing a better job of complying with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Between 2001 and 2008, the number of complaints the U.S. Department of Labor received dropped by one-third, as...

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To stay safe on our Oregon streets and highways, you need the right skills to control your ride, and the best safety equipment for just-in-case. Rhodes-Warden Insurance cares about your safety - so keep these helpful...

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If your organization doesn't already offer healthcare flexible spending accounts, year-end is the perfect time to start. And if your organization does offer employees this valuable benefit, now is the time to re-educate...

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Even in a difficult economic environment, employers need to attract and retain top talent. One way to do this is by offering high-level executives a non-qualified deferred bonus plan, also known as a supplemental...

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With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, we're starting to think about spring. (Or at least hoping that springtime is coming, anyway.) And whether spring arrives on time, we've got you covered with...

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Employers like CDHPs because these plans help them slash the cost of providing medical benefits. When used well, consumer-driven health plans help individuals and families get better healthcare while reducing the cost...

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Here are the top misperceptions employees have about disability, according to The Council for Disability Awareness: It's not going to happen to me. A disabling accident occurs every two seconds in the United States, yet...

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What would your employees do if they became injured or ill and couldn't work for an extended period of time? By the time people reach age 35, they have a one in three chance of being disabled for more than 90 days...

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Accidents can happen in an instant, but the consequences can last a lifetime. Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance gives your employees added financial security in sudden and tragic circumstances. AD&...

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ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, governs any "employee welfare benefit plan" that is "established or maintained by an employer" for the purpose of providing benefits to the plan's participants and...

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People who are obese are 42% more like to require medical care than normal weight people as found by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And the problem is getting worse: Two-thirds of adults are now either overweight...

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Small businesses might be missing an opportunity to enhance their benefit programs and employee loyalty! In a 2009 survey by the nonprofit International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 84 percent of employers...

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What healthcare plan allows employers to set their own maximum for employee healthcare costs, can be structured to cover 100 percent of preventive care for most employees, and gives employees greater incentive to manage...

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As with nearly everything else, retirement plans require periodic maintenance to keep running smoothly. Here are some suggestions to ensure your plan complies with all laws and regulations and meets the goals of your...

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Low enrollments and low contributions not only mean that you're not getting your money's worth out of your administrative dollars; they can also translate into decreased employee loyalty and failure of nondiscrimination...

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One thing is easy to foretell: Unpredictable weather can cause reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions that make it challenging for even the most experienced drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to protect...

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Buying a new car is an exciting time - but it can also be stressful. After all, you're trying to get the best deal on price, while also deciding on the make, model and features you need. We can't really help you become...

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Summer has ended, but there's no need to fret: Fall brings with it crisp, cool days, wonderful colors - and football season! It also brings with it a few maintenance tasks that Rhodes-Warden Insurance recommends to help...

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