U.S.

Navigating Uncertainty

Christine Vazquez, CEBS
 

In today’s business environment, change is constant. Earning a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS®) designation can help benefits professionals improve their ability to manage organizational change. The self-study CEBS courses provide critical knowledge and skills to scan the environment and strategically tailor benefit […]

DOL Guidance on Mental Health Parity: Proposed Rules for NQTL Comparative Analyses

Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

Many health plan sponsors continue to struggle to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), particularly the requirement to conduct a comparative analysis of nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) that has been effective under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act […]

Five Tips for a Successful Benefits Open Enrollment

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

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 […]

New Data Released on Four-Day Workweeks

Cara McMullin
 

A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals the flexible work arrangements offered by companies across the United States. Key findings from Four-Day Workweek: 2023 Survey Results include the type of non-traditional schedules offered, and reasons for and challenges of […]

Matching Contributions for Qualified Student Loan Payments Under SECURE Act 2.0

Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

With the federal student loan debt relief plan ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, more employers are expected to consider offering student loan repayment benefits (covered in Part 1) or retirement plan matching under the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022. The optional […]

Companies Outsource 40% of Their Benefits Functions

New Survey Results—Companies Outsource 40% of Their Benefits Functions

Cara McMullin
 

A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals the operations and staffing practices of corporate benefits departments across the United States. Key findings from Corporate Benefits Departments: Staffing include outsourcing strategies, the greatest challenges facing benefits departments, […]

Addressing the Unique Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community

Anne Newhouse, CEBS
 

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 […]