Why People Switch To Medicare From Their Employer’s Group Health Plan

By Bethany Cissell   Your employer’s benefits open enrollment season is an ideal time to consider enrolling in Medicare if you are eligible – meaning you are turning 65 in three months or less, or have been working past age 65. You might be surprised to find that Medicare offers extensive coverage at an affordable rate when…

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Recruit and Retain with the Right Benefits Package

Alexandra Ginieres Chief Marketing Officer, MGIS   In a constantly evolving hiring market, employers are looking for ways to recruit and retain the best workers and must competitively search for the right talent.  Employees have gained negotiation leverage and want higher salaries, a better benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and improved work-life balance. The labor…

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How Does PFML Fit into the Picture of Benefits?

I have noticed a lot more mention of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) online and in the print.  It got me asking questions . . . how does PFML relate to disability income insurance, group STD and group LTD, FMLA, and other state and federal programs that already are on the books? For the…

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Behavioral Economics and Employee Benefits – What can we learn and apply?

Before writing this, I was reading something on Behavioral Economics.  I’ve read lots of related material before and always found it interesting.  But after this read, I was thinking, “you know, I feel like the Employee Benefits industry is under-utilizing Behavioral Economic concepts.”  The more I thought about it, the more I started thinking about…

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Can Grief Become a Disability?

The short answer is “yes.” Grief is a natural and powerful response to loss that can sometimes overwhelm us. And, few of us grieve in the same way. We might experience it emotionally, physically, or cognitively, but for most of us, grief becomes manageable over time, even if the pain doesn’t fully go away.  …

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Ready for Open Enrollment? Three Steps To Getting In Shape for a Great Season

For HR folks, the fall is sort of like their own version of the retail holiday season or the big football final…that’s because it’s open enrollment, the time when employees are able to make major changes to their benefits plans without penalties. And just like retailers start planning their holiday promotions early, so should the…

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Redesigning for Independence: Home Upgrades That Empower

These days, it’s not uncommon to spend much more time at home, especially if you work remotely. The situation can be tricky if you’re an individual with a disability and your house was not made with your needs in mind. Luckily, you can make many changes and upgrades around your home to be happier, healthier,…

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Six Ways to Enable Long-Term Employee Success

Your organization’s ability to achieve goals depends on its biggest stakeholders—the employees. Happy, engaged, and productive employees can steer your company toward success. But how can you steer them toward long-term employee success?   What employee success means can vary from company to company. For many, it’s related to the customer success rate and how…

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Your Body is Smarter Than You. Are You Listening?

Do you swim for exercise? Walk? Take a group fitness class? Play pickleball? Run long distances? Bicycle? Hike?   Good for you. The benefits of exercise are undeniable. And yes, there are risks, too. A few million adults annually visit the emergency room for a sports injury. Cyclists top the list, but pickleball players get…

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The Role of Environmental Factors in Supporting Employees with Disabilities

Gainful employment provides many benefits for people with disabilities, but environmental factors can be a roadblock to a rewarding experience. Noise, lighting, sensory challenges, and physical maneuverability can reduce productivity and increase stress levels for these employees. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that everyone, including your staff members with disabilities, enjoys…

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Get on Track With a Back to School Sleep Schedule

It’s almost that season—time for school buses and alarm clocks. And if you’re like most families, you’ve probably been letting your sleep schedule slide in favor of late evenings spent enjoying the extra hours of daylight with a bike ride or the glow of a backyard fire pit in the warm night air. We don’t…

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The Bat Out of Hell Workout: Why Running Like a Kid Never Gets Old

Little kids. They’re freaky fast. Running, wildly darting back and forth. Wow! Talk about fun. The faster you chase them, the more they laugh. For many parents, the image of bats escaping out of hell says it all.   But, fast forward 40-plus years, and running like a kid is a distant memory. That kind…

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