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The 21st Century Benefits Broker: Your Benefits Adviser – Part 2

November 20th, 2015 | No Comments

In my previous BLOG I described the employee benefits broker for the 21st century.  In this BLOG I’ll describe in detail what you should look for and expect from a broker, your employee benefits Adviser. You’re hiring an Adviser –So Ask the Hard Questions You’re not purchasing insurance.  You’re hiring an employee benefits adviser, not… Read More »

The 21st Century Benefits Broker: Your Benefits Advisor – Part 1

October 6th, 2015 | No Comments

What kind of relationship do you have with your benefits broker? Do you confide in them as you would your CPA, or do you keep them at arm’s length as if they were one of the many vendors with whom you deal? Whose interests does your broker serve? Those of the insurance companies or yours?… Read More »

Dumb Ideas to Avoid the ACA

May 21st, 2015 | No Comments

There are a lot of foolish ideas about ways to avoid the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  One of the worst I have heard is to make your company “small” by separating it into several smaller ones.  The thought is that each entity will be treated as a separate small employer and… Read More »

Something Wicked This Way Comes

April 22nd, 2015 | No Comments

“Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a story by the legendary science fiction writer Ray Bradbury.  The story is about the ominous arrival of a travelling carnival led by the “mysterious Mr. Dark”.  After the carnival arrives several townspeople are tricked into servitude to him caught unaware of Mr. Dark’s sorcery.  The story is an… Read More »

Premium Tax Credit Phase-Out in Minnesota

November 22nd, 2013 | No Comments

Earlier this fall, Minnesotans welcomed the news that premiums in the Minnesota exchange, MNsure, would be some of the lowest in the nation.  What they did not know is that those low rates would significantly impact their eligibility for federal subsidies to help pay the premiums, the Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs).  Leading up to… Read More »

Employer Mandate Delay Not All Good News

July 8th, 2013 | No Comments

Yesterday afternoon we received word that the Obama administration has delayed the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act to January 1, 2015.  This means that companies with 50 or more full-time equivalents will not be required to provide health insurance coverage to all full-time employees (30 or more hours per week) beginning in 2014. … Read More »

Employee Benefits Tax Changes for 2013

November 15th, 2012 | No Comments

We have been telling our clients that no matter the outcome of this Presidential election, your taxes are going up.  Not for just some of us, but for all of us.  No matter what the politicians tell you there is no hiding the fact that we are all deeply in debt.  Below is a list… Read More »

Play or Pay

November 9th, 2012 | No Comments

Now is the time to assess whether you would be better off “playing or paying” in 2014.  There is no guarantee that the outcome of the presidential election will provide you with that answer, and it isn’t as simple as comparing the current cost of your health coverage to the fine you may be required… Read More »