Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS, Author at Word on Benefits

Benefits on the Big Screen

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

06 Feb 202005 Feb 2020

As my favorite TV character, Moira Rose proclaims, it’s my favorite season of all: awards season! Here in Wisconsin, we are in the midst of a very long and grey winter, and all of us on the podcast team are finding an […]

Employee Benefits Multiemployer

Takeaways From the 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

12 Nov 201912 Nov 2019

Each year, 5,000 trustees, administrators and plan advisors gather to share ideas and learn from each other. While many come from opposite ends of the bargaining table, the camaraderie is palpable. I continue to get energized and inspired after attending the Annual […]

Employee Benefits

Advice for Making the Most of the Annual Conference

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

23 Sep 201923 Sep 2019

The 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference is just a month away, taking place October 20-23, 2019 in San Diego! If you’re one of the 5,000 attendees who will be joining us, I’ve got eight tips for you to make the most of […]

CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) Employee Benefits

7 Fail-Proof Studying Tips for a CEBS Exam*

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

25 Jun 201906 Nov 2019

I’m not the analytical type. I thrive on sensory learning cues—Smells, textures and colors inform my decision on how much oregano to add to my marinara sauce, not a measuring spoon. Much to my chagrin, the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist® (CEBS®) study […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness

Why an Emergency Savings Account Should Be Your Next Benefit

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

20 Feb 2018

I met Katherine a few years ago as she was preparing to deliver a talk about emergency savings at a special International Foundation event. She was very low-key and approachable, and she had a bad cold. I was nervous for her, having […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Health Care Legislative

Mapping Out What’s Next for Health Care Reform

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

26 Jun 201726 Jun 2017

At a recent meeting to catch up on the week’s ACA repeal and replace happenings, our resident benefit experts Julie Stich, CEBS and Kelli Kolsrud, CEBS were in rapid fire discussion, reminding each other of the many steps it takes to pass […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Regulatory

ACA Executive Order and Employers: The Bottom Line

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

26 Jan 2017

President Trump’s January 20 executive order directed his administration to take steps to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because ACA is law, the executive action itself cannot repeal the law. It essentially just made repealing ACA a priority. Even though it’s […]

401(k) Plans Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Wellness

Making the Cut of the 10 Best Companies for Financial Security

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

15 Sep 2015

When I left college and took my first “real” job, the HR director met with me to talk about benefits. I was 22, in perfect health and very concerned about paying rent and where I was going to go out dancing that […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Health Care

What Do the Conflicting ACA Court Decisions Mean for Employers?

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

22 Jul 201417 Jan 2015

By: Stacy Van Alstyne On Tuesday, July 22, two federal appeals courts issued conflicting decisions affecting the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate. The first decision, issued by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, said that ACA does not permit the IRS to […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Retirement

Retirement Planning: What’s Luck Got to Do With It?

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

03 Jul 201417 Jan 2015

By: Stacy Van Alstyne Do you consider yourself a lucky person, or do you always seem to hit each and every red light? When it comes to your future, specifically your retirement plan, it may be all too tempting to leave it to […]