Communication Archives - 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 […]

Canada Communication Employee Benefits U.S.

AI and Emerging Technologies in the Workplace: An Interview With Dr. Tracey Wilen

Alyssa Hodder

09 Aug 202322 Aug 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the future of work has been dominating the headlines since the launch of ChatGPT. We spoke with Dr. Tracey Wilen to get her perspective on managing technology in the workplace and its effect on different […]

Communication Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) LGBTQ+ Mental Health U.S. Wellness

Addressing the Unique Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community

Anne Newhouse

03 Aug 202303 Aug 2023

Strategies for creating the best mix of employee benefit plans are as varied as the organizations that offer them. In the current business climate, especially coming out of the pandemic period, attracting and retaining the best employees feels like an art form […]

Communication Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Insurance Wellness

Health Insurance Caught in a New Pickle

Jonas Leyrer, CEBS

05 Jul 202305 Jul 2023

For anyone familiar with retirement communities, the rise in the popularity of pickleball is nothing new. The tennis-like game which was played by 3-4 million (mostly older) Americans in the late 2010s, has exploded in popularity to nearly 9 million US players […]

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 […]

Communication Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Human Resources (HR) Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) U.S. Vacation Wellness Work Life Balance

Hot Summer Topic—PTO and Vacation Benefits

Bella Tomaw

02 Jun 202302 Jun 2023

Whether it’s a family road trip with fruit snacks and beef jerky, getting another stamp or two on your passport, or enjoying your own community with a staycation, time off is a hot topic for many employees across the United States as […]

Communication Compliance Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory

What Retirement Plan Sponsors Need to Know About Spousal Consent and Remote Witnessing

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

25 May 202325 May 2023

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) temporarily allowed, in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, electronic alternatives to physical presence requirements for retirement plan participants’ elections that required spousal consent. The two allowed alternatives were remote witnessing by notaries public […]

Communication Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness Investments Regulatory U.S.

Three Trustee Actions During Market Volatility

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Apr 202310 Apr 2023

Recent bank failures and resulting market volatility have captured headlines in recent weeks, and many individual investors reacted quickly. However, when it comes to fulfilling their fiduciary duty in the face of unexpected news, trustees should remain calm to avoid costly investment […]

Canada Communication Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Mental Health National Employee Benefits Day U.S. Vacation Webcast Wellness Work Life Balance

Three Ways to Celebrate National Employee Benefits Day Today

Anne Patterson

06 Apr 202306 Apr 2023

If you’re reading this, you probably work in employee benefits—which means today, National Employee Benefits Day (NEBD), is all about YOU! It’s a day to take a step back, look at the incredible work you do for plan participants, and know your […]

Canada Communication Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey U.S.

Supporting Women in the Workplace

Cara McMullin

08 Mar 202310 Mar 2023

Today (March 8) is International Women’s Day, a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The 2023 theme is #EmbraceEquity and one of the focus […]