Employee Benefit Adviser - April 2020

Tech partnerships give traditional insurance a new look

As traditional health insurers deepen their digital footprint, debate still rages on whether employers should fully insure or self-insure benefits.

The newly combined “powerhouse” will be a rival for Marsh & McLennan, which had been the top name in that sector in terms of revenue.

“Inclusion is a sense of being known and valued for bringing your whole self to work,” Limeade CEO Henry Albrecht says. “Diversity means you're getting the best ideas in the room, and you can hear the best ideas.”

Establishing a plan and communicating it clearly is essential to transitioning employees to remote work.

Industry insiders see momentum building for more retirement legislation that could upend the benefits world.

Remote care for sleep disorders can increase productivity and lower healthcare costs, says the SleepCharge president.

HR claims three of top 10 overall apps, while BambooHR and UltiPro post impressive growth amid fierce battle for second place, and WageWorks and Zenefits lose their luster.

With the addition, Betterworks will provide employers with feedback from employees to improve retention and engagement.

“The financial burden of student loans is a major reason fewer employees are taking advantage of 401(k) programs,” Scott Thompson, CEO of Tuition.io, says.

About 78% of employees with high financial stress say it is a distraction at work.

“We believe every single employee of a company should have access to advice,” says Stephen Ulian, head of institutional distribution at Bank of America.

Benefits advisers need to look beyond healthcare and traditional benefits to account for financial stress, mental health and other factors, experts say.

An effective benefits strategy should use tech to communicate and offer options for all employees.

Advanced care planning is an opportunity for advisers to address caregiving with clients and boost the value this benefit brings to employers.

Voluntary benefits set employers apart in the war for talent; how do brokers choose which ones to bring to their attention?

For employers, the global outbreak marks a sea change for many industries long resistant to flexible work arrangements, forcing renewed debate on WFH policies and flextime for daycare.

A sorting mechanism is essential when opportunities outnumber execution resources — and the cost of inaction is significant.

Having a solid vendor relationship is great, but your firm can do better. Here's how.

The hiring site launched a new platform that simplifies referral and bonus tracking for employers.

Small business units can help you reduce your workload, improve your service and increase profitability.

“If an organization is able to have people work from home, then obviously that's the no-brainer,” said Scott Ream, chair of the Association of Continuity Professionals.