News & Events

8 Unique Employee Perks That Don’t Require a Big Budget | Virginia Employee Benefits Consultants

Free and low-cost employee benefits are perks that don’t cost you much financially. These perks are often simple to provide and help enhance an existing employee benefits package. Including non-traditional benefits in a job offer shows employees your values; they’re a promise to both current and potential employees that you’ll support them and treat them … Continued

Benefits Buzz April 2024 | Virginia Benefits Firm

DOL Releases ERISA Enforcement Results for 2023 The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released the results of its Employee Benefits Security Administration’s (EBSA) enforcement actions during fiscal year (FY) 2023. The DOL has broad authority to investigate or audit an employee benefit plan’s compliance with ERISA. EBSA handles audits of employee benefit plans for … Continued

Health Insurance Basics | VA Employee Benefits Partners

Does a Health Plan Typically Pay for Services from Any Doctor? Not always. Some types of plans encourage or require consumers to get care from a specific set of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical service providers who have entered into contracts with the plan to provide items and services at a negotiated rate. The … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 3 | Virginia Benefits Team

Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. Premium: The premium is an amount of money a consumer pays for a health insurance plan. The consumer and/or their employer usually make this payment bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The premium must be paid regardless of how many services, if … Continued

Benefits 101: Personal Leave | VA Employee Benefits Advisors

A better work/life balance is at the top of the list for many employees.  However, with the absence of nationwide paid leave regulations for American workers, employers typically determine the extent of paid time off for their employees.  In an increased effort to remain competitive and improve employee attraction and retention, a new survey found … Continued

Benefits 101: Embedded vs. Non-Embedded Deductibles | VA Employee Benefits Group

Everyone needs health insurance but many people don’t fully understand it.  One important concept to understand is your deductible.  A deductible is the amount of money that must be paid for covered services before the health insurance company begins paying for expenses. For an individual plan, the deductible is straightforward.  But family plans are a … Continued

Benefits Buzz March 2024 | Virginia Employee Benefits Partners

IRS Releases ACA Pay-or-Play Penalties for 2025 The IRS recently released updated penalty amounts for 2025 related to the employer shared responsibility (pay-or-play) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For calendar year 2025, the adjusted $2,000 penalty amount is $2,900, and the adjusted $3,000 penalty amount is $4,350. This is a decrease from the … Continued

Exceptional & Extraordinary Employees – Don’t Burn Them Out | Virginia Benefits Agents

Are HR professionals relying so much on top talent that they risk increasing the odds that they burnout? Every organization has employees who stand out for one reason or another. They often include your superstars or high achievers. Managers will often turn to these exceptional employees when there’s a special project or deliverable to be … Continued

Benefits 101: What Is Critical Illness Insurance? | Virginia Benefits Group

Critical illness insurance is known by many names: heart attack insurance, catastrophic illness insurance and sick insurance are just a few. No matter what it’s called, it’s designed to guard against the financial costs of a serious disease or condition. As the average life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, insurance brokers are … Continued

Top Benefit Trends for 2024 | Virginia Employee Benefits Consultants

The challenges that influenced the benefits landscape in 2023 persist—perhaps even more so. Rising costs, due to inflation and increasing health care prices, will continue to present challenges this new year.  But employers who understand the benefits landscape for 2024 can mold their approach for the upcoming year. A new year means revisiting your existing … Continued