Webinar Guidance on Effective Open Enrollment Communications
Open Enrollment, the fourth-quarter period when employees enroll in employer-sponsored group benefit programs, is “crunch time” for human resource managers and their staff. At a time when HR professionals’ plates are full of end-of-the-year tasks, anxious coworkers pile on with... Find out more »
Say ‘Yes, Chef’ to an Annual Restaurant Insurance Review
The phrase “Yes, Chef” holds significant importance in professional kitchens, originating from the military kitchen brigade system. It symbolizes order and discipline, instilling a structured approach to delivering an exceptional dining experience. Just as in the military, everyone in... Find out more »
A Wellbeing Event to Show Your Employees You Care
At the peak of the pandemic in 2020, Alera Group recognized an urgent need among its business clients: a way to assist employees who were struggling with the physical, financial and mental health challenges COVID-19 had created. Our response was to host the first Alera Group Employee Wellbeing... Find out more »
Legal Alert: Agencies Release Proposed Regulations on Fixed Indemnity Insurance, Seek Comments on Level Funded Plans
On July 12, 2023, the IRS, DOL and HHS (collectively, “the Agencies”) released proposed regulations that modify the conditions for hospital indemnity and other fixed indemnity insurance to be considered an “excepted benefit.” Maintaining “excepted... Find out more »
Insurance for Manufacturers: Cyber Market Improves, Property a Challenge
In a chaotic time filled with environmental instability, global supply chain issues and perpetual labor shortages, there’s one industry that insurance companies still largely trust: manufacturing. As a result of the industry’s inherent stability, manufacturing is doing well in... Find out more »
Employers Navigating Inflation Even as Benefits Plan Designs Stabilize
Fourth Annual ‘Healthcare and Employee Benefits Benchmarking Survey’ Reveals Market Trends
Deerfield, IL (July 19, 2023) — A new study measuring employee benefits and human capital management challenges reveals that after navigating through a period of unprecedented upheaval,... Find out more »
Nonprofit Insurance Programs Should Align with Mission
Nonprofit organizations bolster communities and improve lives through diverse endeavors including art, charity, religion and science. With more than 1.8 million nonprofits in the United States, each organization has a distinct core function ranging from building homes to writing limericks to... Find out more »
FICA Reduction Redux – IRS Issues Guidance on Wellness Indemnity Payments
On June 9, 2023, the IRS released OCC Memo 202323006, which advises that wellness indemnity payments under a fixed indemnity insurance policy are wages for purposes of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes, and federal income tax withholding... Find out more »
Benchmarking: Here Are the Employee Benefits Your Peers Are Offering
Employee benefits benchmarking is an essential step toward designing a Total Rewards program that helps attract and retain a talented and engaged workforce while keeping an eye on your company’s bottom line. If you’re not sufficiently informed on what kind of benefits and working... Find out more »
Alera Group HR Communications Agency, Blue Communications, Celebrates Winning Multiple Hermes Creative Awards
Deerfield, IL (June 27, 2023) — Alera Group specialty practice Blue Communications received six awards at this year's Hermes Creative Awards, adding to honors the agency has received from one of the world’s most prestigious creative competitions.
Among the nation’s premier... Find out more »
