Wrap Documents for Welfare Benefit Plans
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans maintained by private-sector employers. Under ERISA, employer-sponsored welfare benefit plans, such as group health plans, must be described in…
Key Findings from Zywave’s 2023-24 Voluntary Benefits Benchmarking Overview
In November 2023, Zywave conducted its 2023 Attraction and Retention Employee Pulse Survey to collect employers’ insights into attraction and retention challenges, workplace strategies and voluntary benefits utilization. More than 130 employers responded to the nationwide survey from various industries,…
Strategies to Address Barriers to Mental Health Benefits
In fast-paced and demanding work environments, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. Employees who are mentally well are more productive, engaged and satisfied with their jobs. Mental health treatment, including therapy, medication and self-care, can help people who…
Employer-sponsored Health Insurance Premiums Rose to Nearly $24,000 for Family Coverage in 2023
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s (KFF’s) 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey revealed that workers and employers alike are paying more for job-based health insurance this year. In 2023, the average premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance were $8,435 for single coverage and…
2024 Open Enrollment Checklist
To get ready for open enrollment, employers who sponsor group health plans should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2024. These changes…
Understanding Trend and the Impact on Employer Health Plan Renewal Rates
Currently, healthcare costs in the United States are high and rising, outpacing inflation and wage increases. While many employers had relatively lower claim costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical plan costs are approaching pre-pandemic levels as healthcare utilization rebounds. Other…
Addressing the New Normal of Talent Shortages
As talent shortages persist across industries, an increasing number of employers are grappling with the need to adapt to the “new normal” to address this challenge effectively. HR departments are encountering a significant shift in which they find themselves dealing…
The Differences Between Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance and COBRA
Voluntary benefits are becoming increasingly important to employees as they focus on their physical, mental, social and financial health. As a result, many employers have expanded their voluntary benefits offerings to address employees’ needs and improve their attraction and retention…
Strategies for Identifying and Resolving Gaps in Benefits Offerings
In today’s competitive employment landscape, many organizations recognize that employees are their most valuable asset. To attract and retain top talent, employers must go beyond competitive salaries and create holistic and meaningful employee benefits packages that address diverse workforce needs.…