podcast Archives - Word on Benefits

It’s a Busy Time in Washington: What Plan Sponsors Should Care About

Anne Patterson

23 May 202423 May 2024

It’s been a busy time in Washington, D.C., with an array of regulatory releases since mid-March. Adding to the attention this space has already been drawing, the latest Talking Benefits podcast episode provides a run-down of what’s been happening so plan sponsors […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Paid Leave Parental Leave Talking Benefits Podcast U.S.

Family Forming Benefit Trends

Anne Patterson

28 Feb 202428 Feb 2024

The latest Talking Benefits podcast episode dives into family forming benefits, or any benefit that is helpful in assisting workers in starting or growing a family. It can take the form of a specific benefit offering or time off on either a […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options LGBTQ+ Mental Health Prescription Drugs

Six Benefit Trends Making Our List for 2023

Anne Patterson

20 Dec 202320 Dec 2023

It’s THAT time of year, and the Talking Benefits pod squad is keeping up with our annual tradition of reviewing the top benefit trends of the year. We identified six big benefits trends that shaped our industry in 2023, and they are […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education (U.S.) Retirement U.S.

A Q&A on State-Facilitated Retirement Programs

Anne Patterson

13 Jul 202313 Jul 2023

For the past several years, the International Foundation has strategically focused on the topic of retirement security. The most recent Talking Benefits podcast episode covered one crucial way to help employees reach retirement security—by giving them access to a retirement plan. Podcast […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Investments Pensions Talking Benefits Podcast

Talking Benefits Podcast: Riding the Investments Roller Coaster

Anne Patterson

08 Sep 202208 Sep 2022

The recent ups and downs of the stock market and the economy can be dizzying. In the latest podcast episode, my colleague Justin Held got the opportunity to talk to an investments guru (Sandy Lincoln, CEO at Lincoln Investment Perspectives, LLC) on […]

Employee Benefits Health Care Mental Health Talking Benefits Podcast U.S. Wellness

Mental Health for Essential Workers: Best Practices From an LA Fire Captain

Anne Patterson

11 Mar 202109 Mar 2021

If you’re a regular Talking Benefits listener, you know we’ve frequently covered the topic of mental well-being. This is because of the significant impact this issue has throughout our country and, in turn, throughout our workplaces and employee benefit plans. Mental health […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dependent Care Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Flexible Work Options Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Talking Benefits Podcast U.S.

COVID-19: How Do We Navigate Work Through the Pandemic in 2021?

Anne Patterson

04 Feb 202102 Feb 2021

Welcome to our first Talking Benefits episode of 2021! My fellow “pod squad” members Justin Held, Julie Stich and I engaged in more COVID-19 chatter during the most recent podcast episode. In this discussion, we focused on four main areas. 1. Benefits […]

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Multiemployer Talking Benefits Podcast U.S.

2020 Benefits Year in Review

Anne Patterson

22 Dec 202022 Dec 2020

If this year has proven anything, it’s that nobody has a crystal ball (or one that works anyway!) Last December 2020, the Talking Benefits podcast team made some predictions for the year ahead. Though we were widely off, we spent the latest […]

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 […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Talking Benefits Podcast U.S. Wellness

The Benefits of Sleep: A to ZZZZZZ

Anne Patterson

05 Aug 202003 Aug 2020

This month, the Talking Benefits team and I chatted about a topic that was important before the coronavirus pandemic but is feeling more relevant now amid new stressors and uncertainty—SLEEP. Everyone’s situation is different, but for many employees, the pandemic has forced […]