Helping employees navigate the health insurance experience

Is health insurance really so difficult to understand? Not according to U.S. consumers. According to recent research conducted by GfK, when it comes to health insurance, only about one in four think decisions about health insurance are extremely or very complicated. Moreover, 75% think they know as much as or more than their friends and […]

Half of employees don’t understand their health benefits, poll says

The typical argument in favor of the United States’ unique system of health care often centers on the freedom consumers have to choose the benefits that best meet their needs. In reality, however, few Americans are truly health care shoppers. Most get insurance through their employer, and even if the employer offers an array of […]

How voluntary benefits can set your company apart

Offering employees voluntary benefits is a way to set your company apart from competitors as the job market continues to thrive. For companies large and small, benefits can be used to attract new talent and, importantly, retain the talent you have by offering non-traditional benefits beyond typical health insurance. The variety of voluntary benefits has […]

The right—and wrong—investing risks in retirement

The right—and wrong—investing risks in retirement Building a safe portfolio that provides the desired returns can be a daunting task, as performance of these investments can be volatile, according to this article on Money. High-yielding investments come with a significant risk, as exemplified by exchange-traded funds that own energy master limited partnerships. Morningstar claims that […]

Despite Cadillac tax suspension, companies are preparing for it

In a rare moment of bipartisan collaboration, Republicans and Democrats agreed last year to suspend the implementation of the controversial “Cadillac tax” on the most expensive health insurance plans for two years. Intended to go into effect in 2018, the tax will not be implemented until 2020, assuming Congress does not suspend it again or […]

Why smaller companies should consider self-funding

Once limited mostly to large companies, self-funding is now becoming accessible to even smaller employer groups. The Affordable Care Act is changing the landscape of health insurance. Options that once seemed very risky and unsuitable for small businesses are now being considered as viable options. Community rating As of Jan. 1, 2016 the definition of […]

Coworkers, benefits matter most to employees

Employees are more likely to stay at their company if they have a strong sense of community, according to new research. That can include from everything from workplace atmosphere and how well one gets along with coworkers to benefits packages and other perks. HR startup Gusto, formerly ZenPayroll, polled 618 small business owners and 501 […]

Update for the Franchise Industry: Is your brand manager creating a “joint employment” relationship with your franchisees’ employees?

By Jeffrey M. Rosin, partner at the Boston and New York offices of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP For several years now, franchisors have been the subject of attention in the labor and employment law arenas, and new rules and regulations are challenging franchise relationships in a number of ways. One increasingly important legal […]

How voluntary benefits are alleviating financial stress

In the immortal words of Snoop Dogg, “I got my mind on my money and my money on my mind.” Knowing how much money is in the bank is always a priority. Without it there would be no home, car, education, toys, phone, anything. That is why when financial stresses become too heavy the motivation […]

10 common questions employees have about benefit options

Introduction Small businesses are making many changes to health insurance offerings, and those changes are leading to employee questions. As a result, the appropriate communication from advisers is vital making benefits a success. Zane benefits shares its top 10 questions received from employees. Who selects my health insurance plan – me or my employer? The […]