16 areas where employers most want help from their broker

Brokers can be a lifeline for employers looking to evolve their benefits experience to one that views the employee holistically and enables work-life harmony. At least 81% of employers say an insurance agent or broker plays a crucial role when developing their benefit plans, and 75% say a benefits consultant or consulting firm assisted during their renewal period, according to MetLife's most recent benefit trends study.

To help guide advisers in the right direction, MetLife has put together 16 subjects where employers seek the most advice — and how much that desire increased between 2015 and 2016. These items range from providing global benefit solutions to advising on healthcare reform requirements.

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Overview

Brokers can be a lifeline for employers looking to evolve their benefits experience to one that views the employee holistically and enables work-life harmony. At least 81% of employers say an insurance agent or broker plays a crucial role when developing their benefit plans, and 75% say a benefits consultant or consulting firm assisted during their renewal period, according to MetLife's most recent benefit trends study.

To help guide advisers in the right direction, MetLife has put together 16 subjects where employers seek the most advice — and how much that desire increased between 2015 and 2016. These items range from providing global benefit solutions to advising on healthcare reform requirements.
1 global 1.jpg
Businesswoman explaining graph to his coworker in conference room.

Providing global benefit solutions

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 41%

2016: 52%
2 nonmedical 2.jpg
Coworkers are relaxing by playing foosball together in their startup office

Recommending non-medical benefit solutions

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 48%

2016: 58%
3 wellbeing 3.jpg
Group of successful people in an active break at the office stretching their body

Advising on employee physical wellbeing strategy

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 50%

2016: 60%
4 financial 4.jpg
Smiling man sitting in cafe, holding a credit card and typing on a laptop, with copy space.

Advising on employee financial wellbeing strategies

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 50%

2016: 60%
5 statements 5.jpg
Details of working.Hands holding some documents.

Creating benefit statements

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 52%

2016: 62%
6 handbook 6.jpg
A female passenger is reading book on train

Providing assistance with creating and maintaining an employee benefits handbook

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 52%

2016: 62%
7 needs 7.jpg
Happy business coworkers celebrating

Providing insights on employee needs and desires for benefits

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 53%

2016: 63%
8 administration 8.jpg
Manager leading a business meeting with colleagues and medical professionals.

Providing benefits administration

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 54%

2016: 64%
9 bundling 9.jpg
Businessman organizing paperwork

Recommending product bundling that will meet employee needs

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 55%

2016: 64%
10 claims 10.jpg
Man of asian ethnicity talking to a group of businessmen and explaining an investment opportunity chart.

Reducing the frequency and expense of claims

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 56%

2016: 65%
11 trends 11.jpg
Shot of two colleagues using a laptop in a meeting at the office

Providing insights regarding benefits trends

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 54%

2016: 62%
12 compliance 12.jpg
a senior doctor chats to a woman in business wear at a conference table. They are discussing something on their laptop . She could be the hospital administrator , salesperson or lawyer .

Helping with legal, regulatory and compliance issues

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 56%

2016: 64%
13 questions 13.jpg
Shot of two young professionals having a discussion at a desk

Providing prompt, effective service and answering questions on time

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 60%

2016: 68%
14 innovation 14.jpg
Concept of participation in meeting Note to Insp: 5 people - 5 MR +1 Property release

Recommending new innovative benefit solutions

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 57%

2016: 65%
15 savings 15.jpg
Businessman and businesswoman at meeting.

Recommending cost savings alternatives

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 61%

2016: 68%
16 reform 16.jpg
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., left, talks to assistants before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Conservative House Republicans have demanded a government shutdown if lawmakers don't defund Planned Parenthood, the women's reproductive health-care provider whose services include abortion. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Cecile Richards

Advising on healthcare reform requirements

Employers who were interested in this topic:

2015: 57%

2016: 64%
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