Voluntary benefits

As the need for gap coverage continues to grow, advisers can help promote these underutilized benefits with better communications and education.

An increased awareness about the correlation between these benefits and overall health is improving engagement.

Reframing these options to illustrate how they enhance an employer’s benefit package can lead to increased engagement

There are still several stigmas attached to flexible work arrangements, despite increased demand from employees and growing — yet sometimes cautious — investment by employers.

Even as employers increasingly shift the cost of these programs on to employees through voluntary plans, workers are seeing value in them.

Only 30% of workers are covered, despite the demonstrable need to protect income.

Brokers should pay attention to expanded feature offerings when recommending a carrier for STD coverage.

From boosting wellness program participation to closing the retirement savings gap and more, consultants at Aon Hewitt reveal eight trends benefit managers should keep an eye out for in 2016.

EBA Advisers of the Year, as well as other industry insiders, share their insight on some of the major issues employee benefit brokers face. Take a look as these experts reflect on everything from the Cadillac tax to benefits technology to voluntary products.

During annual open enrollment, the focus of most people’s attention is squarely on health insurance coverage, and yet the season is an ideal time to consider other benefit elections, too.

As companies redesign their benefits around employee needs, the links between oral and overall health has employers incorporating dental benefits into wellness strategies.

Implementing top-tier plans poses unique obstacles for advisers and their employer clients.

Dental plans are innovating with new technologies, and boosting participation in the process.From mobile apps to virtual ID cards to gamification and even Bluetooth smart brushes, it’s not your father’s dental plan anymore. Brokers seeking innovative plan designs for employers should take note. The future is here.

Commentary: Advisers focused on life insurance and financial planning are missing an opportunity to stand out by introducing DI into the discussion.

While advances in medicine are helping more patients survive critical illnesses, nearly half of U.S. households have insufficient savings to cover a major medical condition.

Commentary: As college costs continue to rise and student loan debt reaches unprecedented levels, a 529 plan can offer a valuable benefit for employees looking to meet their college savings objectives.

Commentary: Many employers are struggling to get employees to enroll in voluntary programs; busy workers often don’t take the time to understand what’s being offered.

Financial services programs are topping the list of non-insurance offerings from employers, who recognize the impact such stress can have on productivity.

When addressing group disability coverage, brokers should speak of real-life situations to convey the importance of such plans.

Five ways to tell if your employees are getting the service they deserve from your benefits company.