Word on Benefits

10 Signs You’re a Benefits Communication Champ

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

03 Apr 2017

What better day than National Employee Benefits Day to communicate a simple truth: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink in the beauty of your office e-mail “How Staying Hydrated Can Improve Work Performance.” It’s not […]

Insights From a Newbie—Annual Benefits Conference

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

31 Mar 201703 Apr 2017

With the announcement of the keynote speakers for the 50th Annual Canadian Employee Benefits Conference in Montréal, Québec August 20-23, 2017, excitement for the future got me thinking about the past . . . . Less than a week into my new position as […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Retirement

Workplace Financial Education: Long Term Investment

Justin Held, CEBS

28 Mar 2017

In 2016, the Foundation surveyed its U.S. and Canadian members about financial wellness and education. Respondents were asked to describe how financial distress impacts their workforce and if they offer financial education programs. If they responded yes, they were asked to share […]

Employee Benefits Fraud Health Care

Prevent Fraud From Creeping Into Your Benefit Plan

Robbie Hartman, CEBS

23 Mar 201723 Mar 2017

The sound of shattering glass pierces the night air. You sit straight up in bed and glance at the clock: 3:00 a.m. As footsteps creep closer, your heart pounds faster, the fear rising with every creak of the floor. Then, nothing. One […]

Communication Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR)

9 Ways to Get Your Benefits Communication Read

Staff

21 Mar 201722 Sep 2020

Ever feel like no one is reading your employee benefits communication? You’re not alone. In a recent survey, four out of five plan sponsors said their employees are not reading their communication materials. Check out the list below for nine tips to make […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Insurance Public Plans

State of Self-Funding State Benefit Plans

Teri Dougherty, CEBS

16 Mar 201716 Mar 2017

Governor Scott Walker recently proposed self-funding Wisconsin’s $1.5 billion health insurance program for 250,000 state and local government workers and their dependents. For now, it is a proposal that is being heavily debated in the Wisconsin State Legislatures Joint Finance Committee. If […]

Communication Employee Benefits

Being the Bearer of Bad Benefits News

Julie Stich, CEBS

14 Mar 201715 Mar 2017

It’s not fun having to break bad news to someone. Whether it’s a loved one, neighbor or someone we barely know, it’s never easy. As plan sponsors and employers, it’s especially hard to tell participants and employees that their benefits are changing […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits

IRS to Accept Tax Returns Without Individual Health Coverage Status

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

10 Mar 2017

Consistent with President Trump’s January 20, 2017, executive order the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has decided to continue accepting tax returns even if a taxpayer doesn’t indicate his or her health coverage status, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employee Benefits Legislative Multiemployer Regulatory Retirement Talking Benefits Podcast

Talking Benefits Episode 3: It’s Complicated

Staff

08 Mar 201709 Aug 2018

The past few weeks have delivered a few more hints on how benefit plans may be impacted by developments in Washington. Despite the fog, one thing is clear—Changing benefits-related laws and regulations is quite complicated. In this month’s Talking Benefits podcast episode, […]

Communication Employee Benefits

Parrothead Approach to Benefits Communication

Anne Patterson

02 Mar 2017

“I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French-fried potatoes . . . ” Even if you’re not a Jimmy Buffet fan (a.k.a. Parrothead), you can appreciate the fact that everyone likes their burger a little different. Customization is also […]