Word on Benefits

Your Blockchain Questions Answered

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

23 May 201923 May 2019

If you pay attention to any news surrounding technology and employee benefits, you’ve likely heard mention of blockchain. But what is it, and what do you need to know about it? In their article in the May issue of Benefits Magazine—“Coming to […]

Employee Benefits

When Disaster Strikes . . . Employee Relief Options

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

21 May 201920 May 2019

With hurricane season on the horizon, it is important for employers to be prepared in the event that disaster strikes. When a hurricane or other disaster occurs, employees are often in desperate need of assistance. Employers can step in to help employees […]

Compliance Employee Benefits Health Care Mental Health

Checklist to Make Sure Your Health Plan Complies With MHPAEA

Lois Gleason, CEBS

15 May 201920 May 2019

As awareness rises and stigma decreases, society is focusing on the urgency and importance of treating mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Does your employer-sponsored health plan comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)? DOL Enforces Mental […]

CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) Employee Benefits

Rule CEBS Exam Day

Rachel Oliver

14 May 201913 May 2019

I had the day circled on my calendar for quite a while before it arrived. Midday is my time of choice and preferably a Monday so I’m fresh off a weekend of prep. CEBS® exam day has arrived. Now, I’ve taken several […]

Employee Benefits Health Care

Flexible Spending Accounts: Reminders for Plan Sponsors About Eligible Medical Expenses

Anne Newhouse, CEBS

08 May 201913 May 2019

According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefits Survey, more than 61 percent of plan sponsors offer a flexible spending account (FSA) to their participants. As medical costs continue to rise, we all want to save on health care, […]

Cybersecurity Employee Benefits

6 Lessons Learned From a Ransomware Attack

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

07 May 201907 May 2019

Most of us have received at least a few (more likely dozens of) suspicious emails or text messages urging us to log onto a website or respond to help someone in need. Some are obviously scams, containing misspellings or a suspicious email […]

Employee Benefits Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Vacation Work Life Balance

Trends in PTO and Vacation Offerings—Just in Time for Summer

Anne Patterson

06 May 201918 Jul 2019

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 top-of-mind for many employees across the U.S. as summer quickly approaches. […]

Disability Benefits Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Paid Time Off (PTO)

In a Benefits Plan Far, Far Away

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

03 May 201929 Apr 2019

In honor of tomorrow’s “May the Fourth” holiday,we are re-running one of our favorite posts from 2018. Enjoy! Every year since 2011, May 4 has skyrocketed in popularity as Star Wars Day—as in, “May the Fourth be with you.” This growing, intergalactic […]

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Retirement Talking Benefits Podcast

Financial Education Goes Beyond 401(k)

Anne Patterson

29 Apr 201929 Apr 2019

Each month on Talking Benefits, I join Julie Stich, Kelli Kolsrud and Justin Held, International Foundation benefits nerdthusiasts, to discuss a trending employee benefits topic we think our listeners want to know more about. April is financial literacy month in the U.S. and, […]

Canada Employee Benefits Pensions Retirement

Use Your Pension Plan Powers to Locate Missing Members!

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

25 Apr 201924 Apr 2019

If only the pension world had its own version of a Bat-Signal, sending a lighted symbol high into the sky to let missing plan members know to reach out and provide their new contact information. Until that time comes to our fair […]

﻿Your Blockchain Questions Answered

When Disaster Strikes . . . Employee Relief Options

Checklist to Make Sure Your Health Plan Complies With MHPAEA

Rule CEBS Exam Day

Flexible Spending Accounts: Reminders for Plan Sponsors About Eligible Medical Expenses

﻿6 Lessons Learned From a Ransomware Attack

Trends in PTO and Vacation Offerings—Just in Time for Summer

In a Benefits Plan Far, Far Away

Financial Education Goes Beyond 401(k)

Use Your Pension Plan Powers to Locate Missing Members!

Your Blockchain Questions Answered

6 Lessons Learned From a Ransomware Attack