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Podcast

Benefits, with Purpose!

September 17, 2024

A podcast series that explores the topics organizations need to know so they can deliver meaningful health and wealth benefits to their employees
Benefits Administration and Outsourcing Solutions
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Episode 1: The transformation of the employee benefits experience


With so many benefit decisions to make, the right technology can help employers meet their employees individual needs at the time in their lives when they need guidance. Does the human factor still play a part?

Host:
Thomas Lawrence
Tom Lawrence

Managing Director, Market Leader, Missouri and Kansas at WTW

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Speakers:
Elise Schroeter
Elise Schroeter

Managing Director, Talent and Rewards at WTW

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Bob Carlson
Bob Carlson

Senior Director, Benefits Delivery and Administration at WTW

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Episode 1: The transformation of the employee benefits experience
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Episode 2: Benefits Accounts: The only constant is change


An interpretation of the many legislative changes impacting medical benefits accounts (CARES, HEALS and HEROES Acts) and what employers need to know.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 2: Benefits Accounts: The only constant is change
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Episode 3: Benefits Accounts: Navigating the plan year runout


Health care accounts such as HSAs and FSAs bring value to employees if the correct actions are taken. Our experts discuss the importance of plan year deadlines and how employers can help employees navigate this important time.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 3: Benefits Accounts: Navigating the plan year runout
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Episode 4: Co-fiduciary arrangements: The next frontier of pension outsourcing

Co-fiduciary arrangements within defined benefit pension plan administration has become an increasing trend for employers. Why? Our experts explain how outsourcing these responsibilities and liabilities to a third-party brings significant value, providing risk mitigation, enhanced compliance results, and more.

Host:
Dave Amendola
Dave Amendola

Senior Director, Intellectual Capital Leader | Benefits Advisory & Compliance at WTW

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Speakers:
Lisa Alkon
Lisa Alkon

Managing Director, Retirement at WTW

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Laura Kelly
Laura Kelly

Senior Director at WTW

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Episode 4: Co-fiduciary arrangements: The next frontier of pension outsourcing
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Episode 5: COBRA subsidies in the American Rescue Plan Act

On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed the latest COVID-19 relief bill which includes a 100% COBRA subsidy for those who lost coverage due to involuntary termination or reduction in hours. Our experts unpack the many questions that come along with this update and the administrative challenges for employers in implementing these subsidies.

Host:
Pratin Shah
Pratin Shah

Senior Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speaker:
Holly Murphy
Holly Murphy

Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Episode 5: COBRA subsidies in the American Rescue Plan Act
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Episode 6: COBRA subsidies in the American Rescue Plan Act – Part 2

This second episode on COBRA subsidies focuses on Department of Labor guidance and model notices. Our experts review administration challenges and compliance strategies for implementing the subsidies and coordinating subsidies with the one-year extensions under previous emergency rules.

Host:
Pratin Shah
Pratin Shah

Senior Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speaker:
Holly Murphy
Holly Murphy

Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Episode 6: COBRA subsidies in the American Rescue Plan Act – Part 2
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Episode 7: HSAs: The best option for retirement savings?

HSAs are often a misunderstood benefit by employees, especially when it comes to how these accounts can help save for retirement. Our experts discuss the reality of health care costs in retirement, and how an HSA in addition to a 401(k) can be a highly effective strategy in planning for the future.

Read more here about how to educate your employees on maximizing their retirement savings.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 7: HSAs: The best option for retirement savings?
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Episode 8: HSA spending, saving and engagement

Research shows year-over-year employees are increasingly opening HSA accounts. However in 2020, about 20% of accounts were unfunded—meaning employees were not enjoying any of the tax benefits the HSA provides. Why is this employee benefit so often underutilized? Our experts tackle the issue of engagement and talk strategy and practical tips so employers can act to help employees maximize the value available to them from these accounts.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 8: HSA spending, saving and engagement
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Episode 9: Common goal, different paths: Considerations for employers regarding COVID-19 vaccinations

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, employers have been faced with the challenge of ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. In September of 2021, President Biden announced the COVID-19 action plan, Path Out of the Pandemic, which requires employers with more than 100 employees to ensure workers are vaccinated or tested weekly. What does this mean for employers and their workforce? Our experts discuss the questions you’re thinking about, our latest research from nearly 1,000 employers and the administration and compliance concerns to be aware of.

Host:
Holly Murphy
Holly Murphy

Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speaker:
Julie Stone
Julie Stone

Managing Director, Health & Benefits North America | Intellectual Capital Leader at WTW

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Episode 9: Common goal, different paths: Considerations for employers regarding COVID-19 vaccinations
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Episode 10: HSA spring cleaning: Helping employees grasp the value

With the pandemic and higher living costs, financial wellbeing is a matter that employers are prioritizing to reduce the impacts on employees. In this episode, our benefits delivery experts discuss outcome-focused communication strategies for employers so they can help employees enrolled in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) take full advantage of their health savings account (HSA).

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 10: HSA spring cleaning: Helping employees grasp the value
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Episode 11: A pivotal moment in benefits

Moreso than ever, health and retirement benefits are key reasons employees join or stay with employers. In this tight labor market, how employers communicate the value of their benefits offering can give them a competitive advantage. In this episode, our experts discuss creative and outside-the-box strategies employers can use to communicate, connect and engage with employees.

Host:
Jason Dalbec
Jason Dalbec

Managing Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speakers:
Jill Knoke
Jill Knoke

Managing Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Annie Rzepecki
Annie Rzepecki

Senior Director, Employee Experience at WTW

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Episode 11: A pivotal moment in benefits
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Episode 12: How HSAs can combat inflation

With inflation top of mind, empowering employees to make the most of the triple-tax-savings opportunity their HSA provides is important. In this episode, our experts unpack the financial benefits of HSAs and the different ways employers can educate employees on how to save their hard-earned dollars.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speaker:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Associate Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 12: How HSAs can combat inflation
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Episode 13: Modernizing the employee experience through data

Employees desire benefits that are straight forward and reliable. How do employers make sure the valuable benefits being offered to their employees are personalized and accessible? Hear our experts discuss how APIs are enabling the fast, accurate and secure exchange of data between systems, vendors and carriers. You can also read more about this topic in this article.

Host:
Pratin Shah
Pratin Shah

Managing Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speakers:
Kaitlin O’Sullivan
Kaitlin O’Sullivan

Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Chris Keys
Chris Keys

Senior Director, Employee Experience at WTW

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Episode 13: Modernizing the employee experience through Data
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Episode 14: Benefits Accounts: A deep dive into dependents and tax-favored accounts

Many employees may not be aware of how different account types can help them save on dependent care and healthcare costs. In this episode, our experts explain how a dependent is defined and the tax benefits related to the various types of accounts including dependent care FSAs, healthcare FSAs, HRAs and HSAs.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speakers:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 14: Benefits Accounts: A deep dive into dependents and tax-favored accounts
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Episode 15: HSAs: No regrets!

In honor of HSA Day, we celebrate the many benefits HSAs offer employees throughout their career journey and into retirement. In this episode, our experts reflect on the power of HSAs at this point in their careers and the aspects of this benefit employees may not be aware of.

Host:
Philip Massey
Philip Massey

Director, Client Service and Delivery CEBS at WTW

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Speakers:
Stephen Durso
Stephen Durso

Director, Benefits Accounts at WTW

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Episode 15: HSAs: No regrets!
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Episode 16: AI and HR: Myths debunked, benefits revealed

AI is transforming HR by enhancing efficiency, personalizing the employee experience, and supporting decision-making. Our experts discuss some misconceptions around AI and how organizations can unlock its full potential.

Host:
Gretchen Broderson
Gretchen Broderson

Managing Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Speakers:
Ryan McNeill
Ryan McNeill

Product Director, Benefits Outsourcing at WTW

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Chris Pinc
Chris Pinc

Head of Innovation and Solutions, Employee Experience at WTW

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Episode 16: AI and HR: Myths debunked, benefits revealed
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