Word on Benefits

Five Steps for Moving to Paperless Benefit Fund Administration

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

21 Oct 202019 Oct 2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic has added urgency to the case for paperless employee benefit fund administration. In her article “A Virus Makes Paperless Fund Administration Go Viral” in the September issue of Benefits Magazine, Jenny Morgan discusses the advantages and considerations involved […]

Employee Benefits Talking Benefits Podcast U.S.

Turn the (Benefits) Beat Around

Anne Patterson

20 Oct 202020 Oct 2020

This month, the podcast team switched things up a bit and played a game called Benefit Beatz, which challenged each host to find the most employee benefits ties to their favorite song. Nerdy? Yes. Fun? Definitely! If you want to take a […]

Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Retirement U.S.

The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: 10 DC Plan Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

19 Oct 202014 Oct 2020

According to The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A 15-Year Look (2003-2017), the average defined contribution (DC) plan account balance increased significantly from 2003 to 2017, growing to $43,500 while aggregate disbursements also grew. The increase in disbursements—coupled with a lack of growth […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) Paid Leave U.S.

The Status of the FFCRA Specific to Paid Leave

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

15 Oct 202015 Oct 2020

When the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was initially released on March 18, 2020 and required employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick leave and expanded the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), most of us probably thought—and […]

Communication Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) U.S.

8 Ways to Become an Open Enrollment Pro

Anne Patterson

13 Oct 202013 Oct 2020

Every year around this time, the pressure is on! Employees are asked to make important health care coverage selections during open enrollment, and these decisions are a big deal. Employees, their families and their wallets are impacted for the entire year ahead. […]

Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Employee Benefits Multiemployer Pensions Retirement U.S.

The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: 10 DB Plan Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

12 Oct 202014 Oct 2020

According to the most recent data from The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A Fifteen-Year Look (2003-2017), demographic trends in multiemployer plans have become less favorable as the number of actively working participants have decreased relative to the number of inactive and retired […]

Communication Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) U.S.

What is a Typical Open Enrollment Period? 10 Stats for Your Plan to Consider

Justin Held, CEBS

08 Oct 202006 Oct 2020

Open enrollment may be the biggest challenge of human resources (HR) and benefits offices across the U.S., and it’s coming soon! The headaches are countless: workers not reading their communication materials, the efforts of communicating to workers at multiple locations and a […]

Canada Employee Benefits Mental Health U.S. Wellness

Signs and Symptoms of an Employee Struggling With Mental Health

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

07 Oct 202005 Oct 2020

In the midst of a global pandemic and social unrest, it is expected to be sad, upset and angry—but what if you suspect an employee is struggling with a more serious mental health issue? In the recently held Mental Health Impact of […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Legislative U.S.

COVID-19–Related Tax Credits Benefits Professionals Need to Know

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

06 Oct 202020 Oct 2020

The relationship between benefits and tax may be deeper than most benefits professionals realize. In a recent International Foundation webcast, New and Ongoing Tax Relief to Employers and Employees, speakers Lindsay Rice and Matt Kelley with Moderator Ronald Krupa, CEBS, (all senior […]

Canada Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Mental Health U.S. Wellness

How Supervisors Can Support Employees With a Mental Health Illness

Stacy Van Alstyne, CEBS

05 Oct 202007 Oct 2020

In the U.S., one in five of us meets the criteria for having a mental health condition. Eight percent have a diagnosable substance use disorder. Not addressing an employee’s behavioral health issues leads to disconnects in performance and levels of engagement. Each year […]