Benefit pros on the move: New hires inside Hodges-Mace, SS Nebsitt, ASH and other leading firms
The start of the year saw seasoned professionals joining the ranks of employee benefit organizations.
Client communications
Benefits Think Finding sales partners in unexpected places
Don’t be afraid to look past typical health brokers to make client introductions — even the office cleaning person could be a lucrative source.
Eric Silverman
Voluntary Benefits
Ascension Insurance capitalizes on strong growth to rebrand as Relation Insurance Services
CEO Joe Tatum and President of Benefits Keri Lopez explain how the move better reflects the brokerage’s culture and commitment to clients.
Benefits Think The 5 best times to call on prospective clients
The right timing and messaging can open doors, demonstrate acumen, build trust and strengthen relationships.
Ken Waineo
Standard Insurance Retirement Services, Inc.
Benefits Think Supply chain management is launching a benefits revolution
Leading advisers are able to reduce the cost of employee healthcare by taking a vested interest in the quality and expense of medical treatment.
IRS offers tax help for Hurricane Harvey victims
The agency will allow some Texas residents to file certain individual and business tax returns and make some tax payments as late as Jan. 31.
Benefits Think How data standardization benefits the industry, facilitates fiduciary rule compliance
Such an adjustment will make it easier for all stakeholders to do business going forward, says SE2’s Mary Anne Durall.
Mary Anne Durall
SE2
CEO-to-employee pay ratios ‘lower than expected’
A new Mercer study was conducted to gauge employer readiness for disclosure rule.
CEO-to-employee pay ratios ‘lower than expected’
A new Mercer study was conducted to gauge employer readiness for disclosure rule.
8 conversations clients need to have with employees
It is increasingly the adviser’s job to counsel employers on a broad range of workforce management topics, such as reaching career goals, according to ADP’s Aldor Delp.
Benefits Think How to lose a prospect in 60 seconds
If today’s client isn’t intrigued with what an adviser is sharing on sites like LinkedIn, there is no reason to believe that they’ll be interested in person, says Wendy Keneipp.
Wendy Keneipp
Q4intelligence
Views Answering advisers’ urgent questions about DOL fiduciary rule
With the final rule about to be released, here’s why advisers may regret delaying their preparation for the new regulation.
John Anderson
SEI Adviser Network
Benefits Think 6 ways to help clients manage intermittent leaves
For employers, complying with the FMLA may feel like balancing on a tightrope. Here’s how advisers can assist their clients in managing the process.
Lincoln Dirks
Standard Insurance Company
Benefits Think 5 benefits of post-renewal meetings with clients
Why sitting down with employers to revisit the enrollment experience can provide valuable information.
Amy Evans
Colibri Insurance Services
From tech-fueled rivalries to ACA reporting intricacies: Top blogs of 2015
The Affordable Care Act, new ways to fill the sales pipeline and Zenefits dominated EBAs BeAdvised blog commentary this year. The top 10 most-read blogs of 2015 detail the growing number of ACA regulations and reporting requirements, explain why advisers dont accurately understand the threat behind a tech-focused brokerage and highlight simple-yet-effective ways producers can increase existing client revenue and get prospects to open the door.
Benefits Think 3 strategies to help reduce employees open-enrollment stress
Healthcare coverage is a significant piece of your employees overall financial package. If your plan doesnt appropriately meet their needs, it can be a source of stress for them throughout the year.
Competitive threats to emerging business strategies: 2015 conference content of the year
Bring many of the industry leading minds together with brokers and advisers from across the country who are eager to learn and share insights on the latest market trends and best practices, and youve got some of the years most thought-provoking conversations. For those who missed out, here are the highlights from EBAs 2015 conferences.
Rising out-of-pocket costs demand greater broker involvement
Employee education is critical to health care cost management, says United Benefit Advisors Les McPhearson, who addresses rising plan costs in the companys annual health plan survey.
Benefits Think 7 ways for brokers to make the most of benefit enrollment communications
Commentary: Continue to provide value-added personal service to your clients with these practical tips for marketing benefit programs, says ThinkHR's Laura Kerekes.
Benefits Think Identify critical needs, raise your status
Commentary: Being facilitative and consultative will help you to engage the client in a discussion not a sales pitch and it will enable you to make more informed recommendations that are responsive to the clients values and needs.
Jack Kwicien
Daymark Advisors