Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

Five Tips for a Successful Benefits Open Enrollment

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

07 Sep 202307 Sep 2023

The arrival of fall signals the start of benefits open enrollment season for many organizations. A 2020 International Foundation survey found that benefits open enrollment periods most often begin in October and November—which means open enrollment starts in just a few weeks […]

Employee Benefits Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Parental Leave

Getting Paid During Parental Leave

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

11 Jul 202311 Jul 2023

Many U.S. workers do not have a guaranteed source of pay to cover leave following the birth of a child or to bond with a new addition to the family. Lack of access to paid parental leave can create a financial hardship […]

Communication Education Employee Benefits U.S.

Could ChatGPT Be Used in Employee Benefits?

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

15 Jun 202315 Jun 2023

Over the last several months, you may have felt a mixture of amazement and apprehension over the hype surrounding ChatGPT, the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, and its potential impact on everything from homework assignments to jobs. Experts in the employee benefits […]

Employee Benefits Mental Health U.S.

Can Your Plan Clear Mental Health Parity Compliance Hurdles?

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

01 Jun 202301 Jun 2023

Many health plan sponsors continue to struggle to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). It’s a continuing concern because the Department of Labor (DOL) has placed an emphasis on auditing plans for compliance. Health plans looking for […]

Employee Benefits ERISA Retirement

State-Sponsored Retirement Savings Programs: What Employers Need to Know

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

03 May 202303 May 2023

Research shows that one of the key hurdles for achieving retirement security is having access to a retirement plan at work. And, until recently, as many as 57 million people in the United States didn’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (Canada) Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness U.S.

Money Savvy Kids: How Plan Sponsors Can Help Build Financial Capability for Families

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

04 Apr 202304 Apr 2023

April is National Financial Capability Month in the U.S., which represents an opportunity for employers and plan sponsors to help their employees and plan participants boost their money skills. One audience, however, that employers may not typically consider for financial education is […]

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Compliance DOL Employee Benefits ERISA PBGC Pensions U.S.

Where We Are Now: Special Financial Assistance Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

28 Mar 202328 Mar 2023

From capital market return expectations to the rules that cover the program, a lot has changed in the two years since the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law and created the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program for struggling multiemployer pension […]

Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Legislative Prescription Drugs U.S.

Health Plans and Marijuana: What to Know Now

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

01 Dec 202227 Jan 2023

President Joe Biden is expected to sign a medical marijuana research bill that could eventually have an impact on health plan coverage of medical marijuana. On November 16, the U.S. Senate passed Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Act, which was passed by […]

Canada Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation

Inclusive Paid Holidays

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

17 Nov 202217 Nov 2022

As the workplace becomes more diverse, employers may want to consider whether their schedule of paid holidays accommodates the needs of all of their workers.

Disease Management Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance U.S.

Four Steps for Evaluating Your Plan’s Diabetes Coverage

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

10 Nov 202210 Nov 2022

November is National Diabetes Month. Since diabetes affects one in eight adults in the United States and is a major driver of health plan costs, it may be a good time to review whether your health plan is designed to provide the […]