Benefits Think How strategic alliances help advisers survive and thrive
To stay two steps ahead of the herd, advisers should seek out partners with a complimentary set of skills.
Jack Kwicien
Daymark Advisors
Advisor strategies
Benefits Think Employers, beware these two letters from the IRS
The agency uses Letters 226J and 227 to assess ACA penalties, and firms that receive them could have millions at stake.
Joanna Kim-Brunetti
Trusaic
Benefits Think 6 takeaways from the first year of the QSEHRA
Outcomes were generally positive and can be used by advisers to help clients get more out of the program.
Caitlin Bronson
PeopleKeep Inc.
Benefits Think Advisers, beware these two letters from the IRS
The agency uses Letters 226J and 227 to assess ACA penalties from employers, and clients who receive them could have millions at stake.
Joanna Kim-Brunetti
Trusaic
Benefits Think Climbing the pyramid of client relationships
The most successful benefit advisers move beyond routine service offerings and position themselves as trusted business consultants.
Jack Kwicien
Daymark Advisors
9 rising trends in voluntary benefits
Enhancements in decision support tools, e-enrollment and more are coming, The Standards’ Kevin McNamara says.
Benefits Think Outsourcing can save a disability management program
An employee’s return to work is fraught with compliance and productivity challenges. A disability carrier can help.
Jeffery D. Smith
Standard Insurance Company
Benefits Think The 4 stages of successful startup growth
Profitable firms have several best practices in common to survive the early years of little revenue and funding struggles.
Bobby Martin
Vertical IQ
Benefits Think Outsourcing can save a disability management program
An employee’s return to work is fraught with compliance and productivity challenges. A disability carrier can help.
Jeffery D. Smith
Standard Insurance Company
Benefits Think Millennial advisers who are transforming their family firms
These young benefit strategists are breaking through the benefits status quo and reimagining the brokerage market.
Eric Silverman
Voluntary Benefits
Benefits Think How to optimize enrollment and improve worker engagement
Institute an outbound call center and don’t rely on overtaxed account management staff.
Allison De Paoli
Altiqe
Benefits Think Status quo brokers are not helping clients
Next generation benefit firms owe it to employers and to themselves to invest in solutions beyond those that align with their financial interests.
Derek Rine
David Rine Insurance
Benefits Think Why advisers should reach out to clients during times of market volatility
It’s a good time to remind plan sponsors to adhere to long-term investing techniques built upon discipline and best-practices.
Jess DeGabriele
LHD Retirement
Benefits Think The tax law’s hidden loopholes that await broker-dealers
Passed hastily, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may have unintended consequences that could soon be identified by the IRS.
Benefits Think An adviser’s pipeline needs both prospecting and marketing
For a business-to-business organization like a benefit advisory firm, a core function of growing the brand is to support sales efforts.
Wendy Keneipp
Q4intelligence
Benefits Think What is the central aim of the broker-employer relationship?
Trusted advisers have an emerging opportunity to broaden their value to clients by embracing a new expertise around provider quality.
Shane Wolverton
Quantros, Inc.
Benefits Think How to determine ‘reasonable’ compensation for a broker
Advisers who rely on the Best Interest Contract Exemption need to comply with the three Impartial Conduct Standards, otherwise they fall under non-exempt prohibited transactions.
Josh Waldbeser
Drinker Biddle
Mastermind partner develops C-Suite affinity
Kimberly Eckelbarger credits elite adviser group with helping explain benefits in a larger business concept for a competitive edge.
The year in healthcare: A focus on cost management
Employers tried new strategies to tame benefit expenses, such as self-funding and association health plans.
Performance-based contracting is the next wave of agency innovation
Tying compensation to outcomes has proved successful for several brokers, but they must overcome their skepticism and fear of change.
