Sustainability Indexes Hope For Staying Power

July 5, 2001 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Paris-based ARESE has introduced the first of a series of new indexes that will include companies rated highly in terms of sustainability.

ASPI Eurozone, which launched on July 2, is the first of a family of indexes that will include companies based solely on their sustainability performance.

ARESE conducts research on corporate, social, environmental and sustainability performance, according to SocialFunds.com.

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Sustain Ability

ARESE’s ratings for corporate sustainability performance are based on five criteria:

  • community and international civil society
  • corporate governance
  • customers and suppliers
  • health, safety and the environment
  • human resources and international labor standards

Companies are assessed on each of these five criteria in terms of their leadership, implementation and results, with ratings done by sector.

World Series

The new series of indexes, called ASPI, uses corresponding Dow Jones STOXX indexes as a benchmark financial universe but includes only companies that have been rated highly in terms of sustainability. ASPI is an acronym for ARESE Sustainable Performance Indexes. Over the next 18 months, they also plan to launch the:

  • ASPI Country (2001)
  • ASPI Europe (2002)
  • ASPI Global (2002)

ASPI will take a “positive” approach toward evaluating corporate sustainability, rather than applying exclusionary screens. As a result, the indexes might include companies that set good examples for sustainability or are moving toward best practices.

MORE about the index at http://www.arese-sa.com/Indice/en/accueil-en.htm .

eService Assists in Medical Benefits Management

June 5, 2001 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Plan sponsors now have access to eService, a new tool to help them manage their health/medical benefits online, courtesy of the Principal Group.

The site now offers tools and information to help employers manage their group medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits online.

The eService package provides employers access to information 24/7, as well as the ability to make administrative changes more rapidly and accurately than paper form alternatives.

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e-Xpansion of Services

In addition to existing online services at www.principal.com , employers can now:

  • make eligibility changes, such as adding plan participants and terminating members or dependents
  • changing benefit information for those covered by the plan.
  • access and print online booklets and contract information
  • access billing and payment information
  • pay premiums electronically

Additionally, administrative services only (ASO) customers can access online claim and eligibility reports.

The site also offers the ability to order BenefitWi$e newsletters (free health and wellness-related newsletters for their employees), as well as accessing legislative information to keep up-to-date on important regulatory issues.

Participant Options

Participants can also benefit from the enhancements, including

  • allowing them to view the status of medical, dental and vision claims or flexible spending account coverage
  • viewing an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) online, which provides details regarding medical, dental and vision benefits paid
  • opting to receive EOBs electronically, rather than via regular mail.

Group medical and dental customers with a managed care network have been using the site for more than two years to access an online directory that locates nearby physicians, facilities and dentists, according to Principal. Additionally, customers have been able to order ID cards, print online forms and communicate via email directly to their Group administrator in a secured environment.

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