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Baby Boomers: Navigating Employee Benefits Before Retirement

"Voluntary benefits and support related to retirement planning may be more appealing to your oldest employees than younger generations -- not just because they are closer to retirement age, but also because they are at higher risk of running out of retirement savings than their younger counterparts ... Benefits, education and decision-making tools related to managing chronic conditions can all support Boomers as they navigate their health care choices.... The obvious difference between Baby Boomers and younger colleagues is that they may prefer to receive support over the phone rather than exclusively online."

Questions to Ask When Considering an HCM for Benefits Administration (PDF)

"With a reported 12.6% annualized medical inflation rate, employers are searching for ways to control health care costs. Some may find themselves comparing the services of a comprehensive benefits administration provider against services available through a Human Capital Management (HCM) software provider. Use this checklist to consider benefit needs and plan complexity against what an HCM can deliver to determine where and whether savings can be realized."

Potential Impact of Enhanced Premium Subsidies on HSAs and COBRA

"If the enhanced subsidies is reduced because Congress does not extend these enhancements, this will increase the cost of the underlying ACA Exchange plan for the employee/dependent.... This increased cost to the ACA plan could convince an employee/dependent to elect COBRA coverage, even though the employee/dependent is paying 102% of the premiums.... Another consideration here is that if the enhanced premium subsidies are not extended, then an employee or dependent with income above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will no longer be eligible for a premium subsidy."

Employee Benefits Year-Round Communication Calendar

"Creating a benefits communication calendar now can offer you a clear roadmap for the year ahead.... Here's a process you can work through along with some helpful tips as you embark upon the path of designing your own year-round benefits engagement calendar. "

Comprehensive vs. General Benefits Administration Solutions

"A comprehensive benefits administration solution will typically offer more value than general HCM software, in terms of robust employee experience and end-to-end service and support. This article will uncover some of the hidden value of a comprehensive benefits administration solution, as well as additional costs you may encounter with general HCM software."

GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss: The Good, Bad and Unknown

"While covering these drugs may serve employees' needs and potentially increase satisfaction with their employee benefits package ... many employers hesitate to offer new coverage from a cost perspective alone. A 2025 article ... reports a notable increase in the average representation of GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss in total annual claims for employers, increasing from 8.9 percent in 2024 to 10.5 percent in 2025. Overall, 36 percent of employers are providing GLP-1 coverage for both diabetes and weight loss (up from 34 percent in 2024)."

How to Help Prepare Employees for Benefits Enrollment

"Selecting the optimal benefits coverage can be a stressful and even overwhelming task for your employees. Yet, as health care costs continue rising, it's more important than ever for coverage to align with their needs.... This guide for benefits leaders covers strategic preparation, communication tactics and practical tools intended to streamline your enrollment process while ensuring employees can confidently select the appropriate coverage for their needs."

HDHP-HSA Plan Trends

"Gen Z workers had the highest HSA-eligible HDHP participation relative to Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers, and while overall participation in HDHP plans dipped slightly across all generations in 2025, ... HSA-eligible HDHP participation increased among Gen Zers at a greater clip compared to Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers from 2024 to 2025.... Gen Z workers had the lowest health care utilization."

Enhancing Employee Experience Through Digital Employee Total Rewards

"[A] digital total rewards experience is meant to be up-to-date, personalized, interactive and comprehensive, helping employees clearly understand the full value of what they receive beyond salary. It's accessible anytime, mobile-friendly and can even be aligned with what matters most to each individual. The difference is not just in presentation, but in how effectively the experience drives awareness, appreciation and retention."

Health Care Transparency 2.0: What We Might See in Forthcoming Transparency Regs

"[1] Increased monetary penalties for hospitals and health care payers ... [2] Increased audits ... [3] Attestation of compliance .. [4] Standardization of the MRFs ... [5] Making uniform the 'negotiated rates' in the hospital and TIC MRFs."