10 Surprising Things You Can Buy With Your Leftover FSA Money | Chicago Benefits Agents

The end of the year is drawing near which may mean you have some extra money to spend. No, you didn’t read that wrong.  Many Americans have money in their Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) that they need to use up before the end of the year. FSAs provide the benefit of putting pre-tax money aside … Continued

Spam and Phishing | IL Employee Benefits Consultants

Malicious Email A malicious email can look just like it comes from a financial institution, an e-commerce site, a government agency or any other service or business. It often urges you to act quickly, because your account has been compromised, your order cannot be fulfilled or there is another urgent matter to address. If you … Continued

The ABC’s of Medicare | Chicago Employee Benefits Agency

Trying to figure out Medicare can be one of the most frustrating aspects of retirement.  Even the savviest of retirees struggle with figuring out when to enroll and which parts to enroll in – there’s Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, Medigap plans and so on. And, what in the world is a … Continued

The Affordability Test for 2022 Health Plans | IL Employee Benefits Group

The Affordable Care Act’s employer shared responsibility provision — often called the employer mandate or “play or pay” — requires large employers to offer health coverage to their full-time employees or face a potential penalty. (Employers with fewer than 50 full-time and full-time-equivalent employees are exempt.) Large employers can avoid the risk of any play … Continued

Cyber Security: Think Before You Click | Chicago Benefits Firm

If you are concerned about your cyber security – and you should be – it’s essential to know the biggest threats to you right now.  So, what is cyber security anyway?  And how can you protect yourself? Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious … Continued

Employer Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before October 15, 2021 | Chicago Employee Benefits

Are you an employer that offers or provides group health coverage to your workers? Does your health plan cover outpatient prescription drugs — either as a medical claim or through a card system? If so, be sure to distribute your plan’s Medicare Part D notice before October 15. Purpose Medicare began offering “Part D” plans — … Continued

Life Insurance: Putting a Price on Peace of Mind | Illinois Employee Benefits Agency

Life insurance provides financial protection for your loved ones when you die.  Essentially, in exchange for your premium payments, the insurance company will pay a lump sum known as a death benefit to your beneficiaries after your death. While this money can never replace you, it can help your loved one(s) live the kind of life … Continued

The Great Resignation | Chicago Employee Benefits Agents

The employment market has taken the American worker on a roller coaster ride over the last year and a half. Unemployment rates hit record highs in 2020 with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Nearly a year later, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey reports new jobs have increased to “a record 9.3 … Continued

Open Enrollment: Looking Backward to Plan Forward | Chicago Employee Benefits

When the autumn leaves fall and the weather turns cooler, we know it’s time to start thinking of open enrollment. Open enrollment season can be a confusing time. As you begin your research into which plan to choose or even how much to contribute to your Health Savings Account (HSA), consider evaluating how you used … Continued

Does Enrolling in Medicare Trigger an Offer of COBRA? | IL Employee Benefits Advisors

Enrolling in Medicare does not cause COBRA to start. Under the federal rules, COBRA must be offered to persons enrolled in the employer’s health plan only if they lose coverage because of certain specific events. Termination of employment is an example of a COBRA qualifying event. Becoming eligible for Medicare, or enrolling in Medicare, is not a … Continued