Employee Benefits Insights – Woodruff Sawyer

Compliance Alert: CMS Extends Transition Relief for Non-Compliant Plans through 2020

On March 25, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a one-year extension to the transition policy (originally announced November 14, 2013 and extended five times since) for individual and small group health plans that allows issuers to continue policies that do not meet ACA standards.

Employee Benefit Strategies for a Multi-Generational Workforce

What do you do when you have employees who range from ages 18 to 72? Employers today may be employing three or more generations and require strategies to keep each age group engaged. How do you create a plan that satisfies everyone while keeping your company competitive?

Looking Ahead: The Employee Benefits Landscape in 2019

The broad and complex world of employee benefits keeps getting more interesting—or daunting, depending on your viewpoint. In this annual issue of our Employee Benefits Looking Ahead Guide, we highlight key impact areas for employers in 2019 and provide insights into ways to set up or evolve their programs in light of industry trends and ever-changing market options.

Understand the Wellness Program Spectrum Before You Begin Your Wellness Strategy

While there are a variety of wellness programs available today, ranging from traditional to new and innovative, it can be difficult to understand which ones would be a good organizational fit. Learn about the Wellness Program Spectrum and why it should be a prerequisite to formulating any wellness strategy.

The Influence of Direct to Consumer Advertising (DTC)

The US and New Zealand are the only two countries which allow Direct To Consumer (DTC) advertising. This advertising leads to higher demand by consumers (and employees) which drives up healthcare costs. And who pays for these higher costs? The employer does, as the largest provider of healthcare insurance in the US.

Executive Engagement: An Interview with Michele Smith, CFO of Woodland Park Zoo

In early January, we expanded our Women Executive Engagement series to the Pacific Northwest, an evening focusing on female CFOs in Seattle. Another truly inspiring filled with women executives from all sectors: technology, architecture… even the zoo.

Teen Mental Health – Employee Benefits Solution

Your teen is restless and irritable. They’ve changed their eating habits and seem to be upset by the slightest question. How do you know if this is typical teen behavior or part of a growing trend of teen anxiety?

The Gig Workforce: Trends and Challenges for Employee Benefits

According to a recent study by Upwork and Freelancer's Union, the number of workers participating in the gig economy now stands at 56.7 million Americans. What does the gig economy have to offer that traditional employment doesn't provide?

Employment Trends & Employee Benefits: The US in 2019

The US unemployment rate rose to just 4.0% in December 2018, indicating continued pressure on employers to find talent. In addition to changing trends on the IT and tech sectors, the robust economy has created extreme difficulties in the trucking industry.

Insights | Articles