Talking Benefits

It's our 50th episode! After a little celebration we take a look back at some of the biggest developments in the benefits industry from the past year. Plus we let you know what to keep on your radar for 2022. And don't forget to check out the items mentioned in this show. Blog posts on the ACA Supreme Court case, California versus Texas: https://blog.ifebp.org/index.php/supreme-court-affordable-care-act https://blog.ifebp.org/index.php/california-v-texas-explainer EBSA cyber security best practices: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ebsa/key-topics/retirement-benefits/cybersecurity/best-practices.pdf International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans COVID-19 One Year Update survey: https://www.ifebp.org/store/Pages/covid-19-one-year-update-survey.aspx

Those of us in the benefits world have been talking about mental health parity for over 20 years at this point, but it's not all old news. We chat with Stephanie Patrick on what's new and what's ahead for mental health parity and how it affects your plans.

Do you have the right level of protection against cyberattacks? Does your current insurance even cover them? What about cyberinsurance? International Foundation Director of Educational Outreach presents her blog post on why your organization may want to consider cyberinsurance. Read this and other great blog posts at blog.ifebp.org

This month we are joined by Dr. Tracy Brower to discuss how caregiving has changed, what it means for employees, and how employers can support those in caregiving roles. Want to hear more from Tracy? Check out her books: https://tracybrower.com/bring-work-to-life/ And don’t forget to attend the International Foundation’s 67th Annual Employee Benefits conference in Denver, Colorado or join virtually. Learn more here: www.ifebp.org/usannual

What do long COVID, DEI, neurodiversity, mental health and wellness programs have in common? They are all points of consideration when employing individuals with disabilities. In this episode, we talk with Kellee Grimes, Manager of Health Services at Mutual of Omaha, about how to maintain compliance with ADA and other laws and regulations. The International Foundation does tons of research on the employee benefits industry each year. As a member, you can access research and survey reports like the ones Justin mentioned in this episode for free. To see all of the International Foundation’s research and survey reports, visit www.ifebp.org/research and to become a member visit www.ifebp.org/membership

Host Justin and special guest Craig Copeland from EBRI dive into how factors like race, gender and socioeconomic status can impact a person's ability to save for retirement. Check out the work from our friends at the Employee Benefit Research Institute at www.ebri.org

Robbie Hartman reads his recent Word on Benefits blog post on how to make your benefits plan more inclusive for members of the LGBTQ+ community. You can read this and many other great Word on Benefits blog posts at blog.ifebp.org

Join your Talking Benefits hosts in a round of Jeop-ARPA-dy! They review the six American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provisions and what employers and plan sponsors need to know, Jeopardy-style.

Resilience is shaped by a person’s past experiences, and their social support network, among other things—It can be a skill that we learn, practice and build on. This episode outlines seven tips to help build resilience, examples of things that spark joy (which helps build resilience), and how employers can help build resilience within their organization.

Benefits Bonus: What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Financially Troubled ME Pension Plans by IFEBP

This episode explores the impact of financial well-being among Black and Hispanic women and offers solutions to what employers and plan sponsors can do to provide more effective financial education for underrepresented women.

Hear how the “roller coaster ride” of this pandemic has changed the lives of Ruben Navarro, fire captain II for the LA Fire Department, and his team. He shares tips and best practices on handling the pressures of essential work/front line work while maintaining mental well-being.

To require or not to require vaccinations? That is the question on every employer's mind. In this episode we're diving into how COVID-19 has and is still shaping the work world. Check out the International Foundation survey we reference in the episode: https://www.ifebp.org/store/Pages/covid-19-update-survey.aspx Read the International Foundation blog post on remote work policies: https://blog.ifebp.org/index.php/remote-work-policy

2020 is almost over (whew!), so we’re taking a look back at the biggest benefits news headlines of the year. Plus we’ll let you know what to watch for in 2021. Check out the 2020 Employee Benefits Survey we reference throughout the episode at the link below. International Foundation members get a discount! https://www.ifebp.org/store/employee-benefits-survey/Pages/default.aspx

Benefits are music to our ears, so in this episode we're pointing out the (maybe not-so-obvious) ties to employee benefits in our favorite songs. Plus the producers take the mic with a surprise for the hosts. Pop in your ear buds, push play and sing along! Check out the upcoming 2020 Employee Benefit Survey here: https://www.ifebp.org/research And the blog post we reference here: https://blog.ifebp.org/index.php/when-disaster-strikes-employee-relief-options

Talking Benefits host Julie Stich reads her recent blog post on worker resilience and how employers can help. Enroll in the International Foundation's mental health virtual conference at https://www.ifebp.org/mentalhealthandcovid Find more resources on mental health at https://www.ifebp.org/mentalhealthresources Read this and other great blog posts at www.ifebp.org/blog

It's that time of year again (cue the ominous music)... but this year's open enrollment experience may be a lot different for some organizations. We talk about best practices and tips from our members on taking open enrollment to the digital world. Read the research report we refer to in this episode: www.ifebp.org/research Check out the Case Studies in Annual Open Enrollment virtual conference and all other IFEBP virtual conferences: www.ifebp.org/virtualconferences Become an International Foundation member today: www.ifebp.org/membership

Talking Benefits producer Rose Plewa reads her blog post on what mental health professionals are terming "the next pandemic" or the "third wave" of COVID-19. You can read this great blog post and many others at blog.ifebp.org.

We all know sleep is important, but not everyone gets their full eight hours each night. In this episode we talk about why employers should care about their workers' sleep habits and how they can help them log some more zzz's.

Talking Benefits host Julie Stich talks about why EAPs may be one of your organization's most vital assets in the wake of COVID-19. You can read the full blog post at blog.ifebp.org