Blog

  • Benefits 101: What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

    Benefits 101: What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

    Critical illness insurance is known by many names: heart attack insurance, catastrophic illness insurance and sick insurance are just a few. No matter what it’s called, it’s designed to guard against the financial costs of a serious disease or condition. As the average life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, insurance brokers are…

  • Top Benefit Trends for 2024

    Top Benefit Trends for 2024

    The challenges that influenced the benefits landscape in 2023 persist—perhaps even more so. Rising costs, due to inflation and increasing health care prices, will continue to present challenges this new year.  But employers who understand the benefits landscape for 2024 can mold their approach for the upcoming year. A new year means revisiting your existing…

  • Compliance Recap December 2023

    Compliance Recap December 2023

    WORKPLACE POSTERS The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the posting of employee notices in the workplace to comply with various DOL statues. The posters are available for free in multiple languages. To determine which posters are needed for your business, the DOL  FirstStep Poster Advisor can help. Employers can download and print the posters directly from…

  • New Year, New You: Mental Health Tips for 2024

    New Year, New You: Mental Health Tips for 2024

    As we begin to settle into 2024, many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions.  The start of a New Year signals a time for change, reflection and a sense of ‘starting afresh’. This year, you can seize the new year’s spirit of renewal and make mental health your top priority! A healthy mind…

  • Year-Round Benefits Education

    Year-Round Benefits Education

    For most organizations, employee benefits communication kicks into high gear during open enrollment season. During this time, there is a surge in emails, educational webinars, fliers throughout the office, and a barrage of forms demanding signatures. Post open enrollment, however, employees often receive minimal information about their benefits. While sporadic email updates or new laminated…

  • 8 HR Trends for 2024

    8 HR Trends for 2024

    With the arrival of 2024, Human Resources professionals are contemplating the future. Everyone is looking into that crystal ball to try and understand what the most pressing issues in talent management will be. HR Exchange Network is no different, so we turned to the experts on Featured to ask what they think will be the biggest trend of…

  • Why Health Insurance is Important

    Why Health Insurance is Important

    Protection from high medical costs Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have a serious accident or sickness.  People without health coverage are exposed to these costs. This can sometimes lead people without coverage into deep debt or even into bankruptcy. It’s easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a…

  • Benefits Buzz December 2023

    Benefits Buzz December 2023

    IRS Announces Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2024 Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are updated for inflation before the beginning of each calendar year. Most of these annual dollar limits will increase in 2024. Note that some benefit limits are not adjusted for inflation, such as the contribution limit for…

  • What Businesses Need to Know about the U.S. Executive Order on AI

    What Businesses Need to Know about the U.S. Executive Order on AI

    Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order designed to install guardrails on generative artificial intelligence (AI), and there are many implications for businesses. Human Resources must be mindful about these new regulations as they apply to the workforce. The comprehensive order provides guidance on the development and use of a technology that has been unregulated…

  • Ho, Ho, Ho-ld Off on the Bad Habits This Holiday Season

    Ho, Ho, Ho-ld Off on the Bad Habits This Holiday Season

    ‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and food—lots of food. The holidays dish up a triple whammy of wintry weather, irresistible foods, and stress, which can cause even the strongest-willed person to reach for another festive goodie. While the notion of enjoying “healthy holidays” has a nice ring to it, reaching that goal can be…