insurance premiums

Nearly everyone is feeling the pain of high health care costs. Between 2003 and 2010, the cost employers paid for family coverage rose 50% and employees' share of the tab increased 63%. That's money siphoned away from the rest of the economy.

Some people take fun to the extreme, engaging in pastimes that put their health -- and even their lives -- at risk. Insurance companies refer to such activities as "hazardous vocations," and charge higher premiums to those who engage in them. One way or another, these hobbies will cost you.

Last week, Dallas County in Texas joined the growing ranks of employers that charge employees who smoke a higher monthly health insurance premium than employees who don't. It's an idea that's gaining momentum across the country -- but will it work to reduce smoking, or just to penalize the nicotine-addicted?

Despite some common misconceptions, life insurance isn't just for those of us who are married with children. If you're a single, you can benefit from it, too -- first, because you're probably more connected to people than you may think, and second, because it can be a great investment.

Being frugal is smart, and these days, it's fashionable too. But going too far in your attempts to save can have financial consequences that may leave you significantly worse off. Here are nine ways you shouldn't cut corners.

Development of technologically advanced -- and expensive -- lifesaving treatments will continue to increase as the new health care reform law is phased in over the next few years.

If you've shopped for health insurance as an individual, you've likely found it very difficult, if not impossible, to get that insurance unless you are in perfect health. Or once you're over the age of 50, you may find that even if you can get insurance, you won't be able to afford it. I'm going...

Profits for the 10 largest U.S. insurance companies jumped 250% between 2000 and 2009, while millions of Americans have lost coverage, a report released Thursday said. The report found that the five biggest insurance companies saw their profits increase 56% in 2009 alone.

As mortgages continue to sour, the Federal Housing Administration's reserve fund continues to deteriorate. That's not a big surprise. What might be a surprise is the fact that the FHA can get bailout money from the U.S. Treasury without seeking approval from Congress. An automatic FHA bailout is...