Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.
www.ShareBuilder401k.com
Know Network Doctors Background Enhance Corporate Health Benefits
CastleConnolly.com
Become an Employer of Choice - Let Oasis Manage Your Employee Benefits
www.OasisAdvantage.com
Save up to 40% on healthcare, commuting. Month 1 cards free.
www.benefitresource.com
Get a free Employee Benefits quote for your 4+ employees now!
Emplicity.com/EmployeeBenefits
Learn how HR benefits outsourcing can help your growing company.
www.TriNet.com
See if You Qualify for Sprint Discount Plans from Your Company!
www.Sprint.com
Protect Your Employees & Executives Retirement Planning and More
www.ToInsurance.com
Need benefit services? Affordable, fast Web/Phone/Paper enrollment.
www.benxpress.com
Find Your Next Job. Search Today. $100K+ Jobs. $100K+ Talent.
www.HR-Jobs.TheLadders.com
A guide created by the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) for monitoring and curtailing the excessive salaries, bonuses and perks in CEO compensation packages.
www.aflcio.org
Frequently asked questions and answers from the AHI Employment Law Resource Center.
www.ahipubs.net
Provides workplace financial planning services related to compensation and benefits.
www.ameriprise.com
Administrative Systems, Inc. (ASI) is a leading provider of benefit disbursements, tax reporting, and document printing solutions to the employee benefits industry.
www.asipay.com
Bay Area Employee Benefits is a full service employee benefit brokerage firm in San Jose, California.
www.bayareabenefits.com
We deliver best-practice, solutions-based content focused on benefits and compensation.
www.bcsolutionsmag.com
Information on human resource programs and processes, presented by the publishers of Employee Benefit News. Free weekly email service with user registration.
www.benefitnews.com
A benefits communication firm specializing in electronic hosting of electronic benefits plans, regulatory compliance documents and human resources support.
www.benefitpages.com
Helps create a winning compensation strategy in order to remain competitive, as well as attract and retain top employees.
www.benefitplans.com
Resource for human resources, benefits and compensation news, publications, meetings, legislation, bulletins, research and more
www.benefits.net
Resources for employee benefits attorneys from the Calhoun Law Group PLC.
www.benefitsattorney.com
Pension and employee benefit provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Reprint from BenefitsLink.
www.benefitslink.com
From Thompson Publishing Group's Employer's Guide to Self-Insuring Health Benefits.
www.benefitslink.com
From the Employer's Health Benefits Bulletin, Thompson Publishing Group.
www.benefitslink.com
From the Pension Plan Fix-It Handbook, Thompson Publishing Group.
www.benefitslink.com
International web site for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing employee benefits and human resource information.
www.beneglobe.com
BeneTrac, a Paychex company, is a provider of powerful, web-based electronic enrollment and employee benefits administration software.
www.benetrac.com
Insights from benefits information group, employee benefit plan market intelligence.
www.biginsights.com
Employee Benefits Library is a complete reference source for pension and benefits plan design, communication and administration.
www.bna.com
Business to business web site where employee benefit buyers find employee benefit sellers.
www.employee-benefits.com
The latest policy, politics, and ideas from leading progressive research organizations and advocacy groups.
www.epn.org
Provider of wage/salary, cost of living, relocation and demographic information in the form of database software and reference reports.
www.erieri.com
Review projected Occupational Employment Statistics compensation data based on 1998-2000 data.
www.erieri.com
Frequently asked questions about employee relations from E.A. Winning Associates.
www.ewin.com
Article by Ethan A. Winning, from E.A. Winning Associates.
www.ewin.com
"FSLA in a Nutshell" - Article from E.A. Winning Associates.
www.ewin.com
Pearl Meyer & Partners (PM&P) has been a leader in executive compensation for over 17 years, acting as independent, outside counsel to Compensation Committees and their senior management.
www.execpay.com
Serving the Seattle, WA area, Hanson Benefits provides employee benefits management and employee benefits administration services.
www.hansonbenefits.com
Employee benefits provider for insurance and financial plans including health, dental, 401k, and retirement.
www.hciamerica.com
HA Consulting is a division of Herbruck Alder, the largest employee benefits only consulting and brokerage firm in Northern Ohio.
www.herbruckalder.com
Article by Steve Tarnoff, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
Article by Steve Tarnoff, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
Article by Steve Tarnoff, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
Article by Steve Tarnoff, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
Article by Steve Tarnoff, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
Article by John Griffiths, from HRhub.com.
www.hrhub.com
1995-1996 statistics from the Employment Management Association.
www.hrlive.com
Incentive compensation community dedicated to providing free, centralized information and resources for executives, managers and professionals.
www.icworld.com
Offers books and research reports on a variety of employee benefit topics.
www.ifebp.org
Article from Joan Lloyd at Work.
www.joanlloyd.com
A publisher of pension and welfare plan data for the financial services market.
www.judydiamond.com
Frequently asked questions about payroll, from the AHI Employment Law Resource Center.
www.legalworkplace.com
Article on compensation programs, from Business 2.0.
www.magportal.com
Article by James E. Challenger, from Employment Review Online.
www.magportal.com
Article on executive compensation, by Tim W. Ferguson and from Forbes.com.
www.magportal.com
Article by Adam Sydney from Employment Review Online.
www.magportal.com
Human resources, benefits, staffing, workers' compensation and small business employment and management support.
www.oasisadvantage.com
Federal government corporation established to encourage the growth of defined benefit plans, provide timely and uninterrupted payment of benefits and maintain low pension insurance premiums.
www.pbgc.gov
Directory of qualified pension plans including profit sharing, money purchase, defined benefit, 401 (k) plans and welfare benefit plans.
www.pensionprofile.com
We can provide your business with group rates on employee expenses such as workers compensation and health benefits to further help reduce employee expenses.
www.planmarc.com
Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.
www.ShareBuilder401k.com
Benefits information & analysis from the publisher of Employee Benefit Plan Review magazine.
www.spencernet.com
Executive compensation information and resources, provided by global consulting firm specializing in senior-level executive search and board director appointments.
www.spencerstuart.com
Official web site with information on retirement, disability, survivors and supplemental security income benefits.
www.ssa.gov
Learn how to save employees $500 or more with a transit benefit program!
go.TransitChek.com/Learn_More
Compensation questionnaire from Workforce.com.
www.workforce.com
Know Network Doctors Background Enhance Corporate Health Benefits
CastleConnolly.com
Become an Employer of Choice - Let Oasis Manage Your Employee Benefits
www.OasisAdvantage.com
Save up to 40% on healthcare, commuting. Month 1 cards free.
www.benefitresource.com
Employee benefits companies are always looking for talented fresh faces to join their team of experts. To land one of the many jobs selling or administering employee benefit services, you need to get the proper training and build a resume of training and experience that you can bring to the employee benefit service agency. Successful compensation and benefits professionals bring a combination of formal training and on-the-job business compensation training.
There are a number of schools that provide employee compensation and human resource diplomas and certificates. You’ll often have to take a low-end job to get your foot in the door of an employee benefits software company to build up your experience to move into more demanding HR or with an employee benefits provider. Make sure that while you’re advancing you also remember to work on building relationships within the group employee benefits community. Find training for employee benefit service in a number of places.
1. Find online employee benefits programs
2. Look for job training through compensation and benefits firms
3. Use business compensation trade groups for employee benefit services training
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Go to an Internet employee benefit plans school
You can get a Human Resources certificate or a professional degree through a number of online universities and other training programs. While most companies will want to see at least a Bachelor's degree, any other certificates you can acquire will aid in your job search. Additional training after you've earned a degree will help as you advance in your career in administering employee benefits programs.
I recommend: McKinley College offers a degree in human resources and business management that you can earn online. Get a two-year Associates Degree in Human Resources from Ashworth College online.
Earn certificates in employee benefits programs
Even after acquiring your advanced degree, you need to keep up with the industry and pad your resume with other certificates and training programs. In addition to the seminars you attend, look for niche subjects to gain proficiency in to enhance your employment opportunities. Add each to your resume after you receive it.
I recommend: Earn an HR certificate that can open doors for you in 12 weeks from Cornell and its online course offerings. Get industry certifications from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.
Join compensation and benefits associations for training
Most professional organizations offer continuing education programs as well as seminars and other opportunities to increase your executive compensation knowledge. Take advantage of the training while you are making those important connections that can land you a job and further your career.
I recommend: The Society for Human Resource Management is a good group to join as a student because they offer professional courses and leads to universities with advanced degrees that are valued in the industry. The Employers Association has a wide range of certificate programs that they offer to professionals to further your career.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Check with your employer to find out if your company pays for training for employee benefits.
Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.
Many small business owners think they can't afford to offer employee benefits. In reality, small businesses can't afford not to offer a benefits package of some type. Although insurance and other benefits can be costly, offering employee benefits can pay off in the long run.
An attractive benefits package can help you recruit and retain quality personnel. It can also boost productivity and employee morale. The most common employee benefits offered include:
- Paid time off
- Health insurance
- Disability insurance
- Vision and dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plans
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Shop in online employee benefits malls
Several Web-based services offer an efficient way for small businesses to outsource employee benefits, including group medical, dental, life and 401(k) products.
I recommend: eGroupBenefits offers easy online quotes and enrollment, side-by-side benefit plan comparisons with independent advice, and more. BenefitMall is actually a site for brokers who sell to small business, but it's a handy place to learn about the benefit products being offered by top providers.
Offer paid time off
Although you aren't required by law to offer paid vacation, holidays or sick leave, most small businesses do. In fact, you're likely to have trouble recruiting good talent without a vacation policy.
I recommend: Salary.com takes a look at paid time off policies. Payscale.com breaks out average vacation days by more than a dozen criteria, including age and industry.
Find affordable health insurance
Although health insurance costs are skyrocketing, it's one of the benefits employees want most. Whether you choose an HMO, a PPO or a POS, look for an accredited plan that offers adequate accessibility to physicians, affordability and quality. Choosing a health insurance plan that provides prescription benefits makes your plan even more attractive to employees.
I recommend: To research, compare and apply for group health insurance yourself, visit eHealthInsurance.com, which offers small business plans from major carriers. Small business members of the NFIB have access to a wide array of cost-saving health plans for small businesses. Look for a health insurance broker who has experience helping small businesses in your industry at the National Association of Health Underwriters.
Disability insurance
Disability insurance can give your employees peace of mind. This common benefit provides employees with a percentage of their salary if they become injured or ill and can't work. Higher-priced plans provide benefits if an employee is unable to perform his or her job even though they could perform other tasks; cheaper plans only provide benefits if the employee is completely unable to work.
I recommend: UnumProvident and MetLife both offer a full menu of employee benefits for small businesses, including disability insurance.
Vision and dental insurance
Vision insurance plans are fairly basic and there are only a handful of providers, making it relatively simple to choose and administer a plan. Choosing a dental insurance plan isn't so easy, with dozens of providers offering a vast array of options.
I recommend: Vision Service Plan (VSP) is by far the largest provider of vision plans. Delta Dental is the nation's leading dental plan provider. Get the basics on dental and vision plans in the Dental and Vision Insurance Buyer's Guide at BuyerZone.com, where you can also find free quotes.
Life insurance
Offering life insurance shows your concern for your employees and their families. Group term life insurance is often the most affordable option for small businesses.
I recommend: Cigna is an employee benefits solutions provider that offers a number of life insurance options among other insurance products.
Retirement plans
Smaller businesses that offer retirement plans generally offer a 401(k), a SEP-IRA or a Simple IRA. 401(k) plans are generally most appropriate for companies with more than 20 people. If you employ fewer than 20 people, consider a SEP-IRA or a Simple-IRA.
I recommend: Fidelity offers a range of retirement plans, helps you choose the right one for your business and lets you set it up online.
Choose an administrator
If you don't have a dedicated HR employee, delegate administration of employee benefits to a single person. Facilitate these duties by downloading benefits forms available online.
I recommend: Find vacation forms at HRDirect.com. Download forms for medical recordkeeping at GNeil.com.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Additional employee benefits you may want to consider offering include flextime, parking privileges, education reimbursement and company discounts.
- • Benefits, such as retirement plans and health insurance, must comply with government regulations. Consult a lawyer or benefits consultant before offering a plan.
- • You don't have to foot the bill entirely. Most small businesses ask employees to make a contribution toward their health insurance and other benefits.
- • Survey your employees to find out which benefits are most desirable. Save money by offering only the benefits they want most.
- • If all of your employees are in their teens or 20s, life insurance may not be necessary.
Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.
Employee benefits are one of the biggest costs an employer faces, after payroll. As you look for an employee benefits provider, you will need to know the going market prices of similar employee compensation plans to be able to successfully negotiate. Shop around armed with the most information you can find about employee benefit services by keeping up with the latest employee benefits news and trends. Whether you run a small business or a large corporation, you need to invest in compensation and benefits to keep good employees.
Look for group employee benefits options by communicating with other business owners with similar needs. Find out about unique and cost-effective employee benefit plans through industry publications and business-owner blogs. Consider lowering executive compensation to offer a broader form of employee benefit packages for your entire team. Use employee benefits software to manage your company benefits and find numerous ways to keep up with employee benefits news and trends.
1. Log onto employee benefits blogs
2. Subscribe to business compensation publications
3. Sign on for email alerts from an employee benefits provider
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Share employee benefits news and trends with other benefits professionals
Blogs are increasingly becoming the media of choice for many small business owners looking for quick and efficient means to communicate with other like-minded professionals. Find an Internet blog that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.
I recommend: Benefits Blog is run by attorneys so that small businesses can keep in touch with changing laws that affect the employer environment. Precepts runs a blog that is frequented by human resource professionals to discuss the issues surrounding company benefits.
Read up on changes in employee benefit services
Compensation and benefits continue to dominate many of the HR publications available online and in hard copy print versions. While you may get email alerts from your employee benefits provider, it's a good idea to stay on top of the industry as a whole so that you can know about changes that may not be a part of your current provider's offerings.
I recommend: Benefit News is the online version of the popular magazine Employee Benefit News. Milliman is an employee benefits consulting firm that puts out a quarterly newsletter. On the website you also can retrieve past issues to get you up-to-date.
Receive employee compensation email alerts
While most business owners are trying to clear out their inboxes to save time, you should allow at least one information provider to get into your email with alerts about new employee benefits products and ideas. You shouldn't miss out on vital group employee benefits alerts just because you want to avoid spam.
I recommend: Choose the best topic of email alerts that are sent out regularly by Thompson, including one on Pension and Benefits. Sign up for employee benefit plans email alerts and read other important news and information at Bnet.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Make knowledge a premium in your company by charging each of your employees to read or subscribe to at least one magazine or newsletter and share employee benefits news and trends they've uncovered at staff meetings.
Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.
If you are lucky enough to have a job with benefits, be sure to take full advantage of everything that is available to you. To make the most of your employee benefits, you'll have to spend some time reading the documents that explain them. But don't let the benefits lingo trip you up.
Here are some of the key terms you are likely to encounter as you navigate your way through your employee benefits materials.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Effective date
The effective date is the date when your benefit coverage begins. It is important to know this date so that you don't try to use a benefit before your coverage kicks in. For example, if you start a new job in August, but don't get paid until September, you might have a health insurance benefit effective date of October 1.
I recommend: You can see an example of one employer's medical insurance effective date rules at The California State University website.
Explanation of benefits (EOB)
After you or your health or dental provider files an insurance claim on your behalf, you will receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) by mail or email. The EOB specifies the services you received, the amount your insurance company will pay and the amount you are responsible for.
I recommend: For more detailed information about EOBs visit HealthLink.
Summary plan description (SPD)
A summary plan description or SPD is the document that summarizes your health or retirement benefit plan in plain language. The SPD explains the plan features, how benefits are calculated and paid and how to file a claim. When you have a question about your benefit, consult your SPD.
I recommend: You can learn more about summary plan descriptions at the U.S. Department of Labor website.
Qualifying event
A qualifying event is a major life change that can affect yours or your dependents' eligibility for benefits. Getting married, having a baby or experiencing the death of a spouse are examples of qualifying events. When you have a major change in your life, be sure to inform the human resources department where you work. A qualifying event may allow you to make changes to your benefits coverage.
I recommend: For an expanded list of qualifying events, visit the University of Illinois website.
Open enrollment
In most companies, there is one period of time during the year when you may enroll for new benefits or make changes to your current benefits. If you miss this enrollment window you will not be able to make changes to your current benefits until the next open enrollment period. The exception may be when a qualifying event occurs in your life.
I recommend: For tips on making good decisions at open enrollment visit SmartMoney.
Voluntary benefits
Voluntary benefits are optional benefits that employees, not the employer, pay for. Life insurance, long-term disability insurance, cancer insurance and critical illness insurance are typically offered as voluntary benefits.
I recommend: To learn more about voluntary benefits visit MainStreet.com.
Low-cost, on-demand and easy-setup plans from ShareBuilder 401(k). Plans for 1 or more priced from $15 month. Learn more.



