The Benefits Blog

Whether your clients are entrusting us with their stop loss policy or looking to bring financial peace of mind to employees through group life, disability or supplemental health benefits, you have a partner with Symetra.

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Electronic data transfer: How API and EDI can improve benefits efficiencies and provide a better user experience

Benefits enrollment and administration involve the transfer of large amounts of data between employers and their benefits providers. In the past, these transfers could only happen manually, which was time consuming and prone to human error. Today, electronic data transfer can take over much of this responsibility, with increased accuracy and efficiency.

Navigating enrollment technology: Simplifying the benefits experience for businesses and employees

Benefits enrollment and other HR functions are important to any business and the employees who work for them. But they can also be complicated, time-consuming and stress-inducing for everyone involved. Fortunately, a growing array of technology solutions are available for employers of all sizes to streamline and simplify the complexities of HR administration.

Working Forward Podcast Recap: The Employee Perspective

In Episode 3 of our Working Forward podcast, we were excited to talk with Cake & Arrow, a New York-based experience design, user research and innovation firm for the insurance and financial services industry. We talked to them about their research and what employers should know about the new realities of post-pandemic work for their employees.

Working Forward Podcast Recap: Lessons from employers

In Episode 2 of our Working Forward podcasts, my cohosts and I had the pleasure of speaking with two dynamic HR executives about the future of work from the employer’s perspective.

Kayla Halpin, Symetra's assistant vice president and absence practice lead, talks about her leave journey

We had the opportunity to interview Kayla Halpin, Symetra’s assistant vice president and absence practice lead, on her experience taking maternity leave and what thoughts she’d give to those who may need to take their own leave.

Welcome Laura Stoffel, our stop loss director of strategic partnerships

Get to know Laura Stoffel, our new stop loss director of strategic partnerships. 

Welcome Joe Nespoli, our new group life, disability and voluntary benefits regional sales executive

Get to know Joe Nespoli, our new group life, disability and voluntary benefits regional sales executive in South Florida.

How critical illness insurance can supplement disability insurance

Critical illness insurance and disability insurance are fundamentally different products, but both share the same goal of helping to provide financial relief for employees when a medical condition strikes.

Welcome Brian Ragan, our new group life, disability and voluntary benefits regional sales executive

Get to know Brian Ragan, our new group life, disability and voluntary benefits regional sales executive.

4 reasons to start selling voluntary benefits

Voluntary benefits such as accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance are a growing market for benefits brokers. If you’re not offering them to your clients, it may be time to add them to your portfolio.

A historical overview of Paid Family and Medical Leave - part two

Tune in for part two of our webinar series with Symetra’s Group Life and Disability Associate Product Manager, Rebecca Ford, to learn more about the history of Paid Family and Medical Leave.

A historical overview of statutory disability and paid family leave - part one

Statutory disability and paid leave programs are growing in popularity. Symetra’s Group Life and Disability Associate Product Manager, Rebecca Ford, walks us through a historical overview in this two-part webinar series.

Understanding the value of value-add programs

Employees are used to health care benefits taking a bite out of their paychecks. But what about benefits that help manage or reduce expenses? That’s the idea behind many types of value-add programs that can be included with employee benefit plans. Here’s a review of some frequently used programs that can help employees make the most of their benefits coverage.

Keeping medical claims in check

As health care costs continue to rise, more employers are self-funding their employee coverage and using stop loss to protect their plans against large or catastrophic claims. Learn how stop loss carriers and other partners can help mitigate excessive claim charges before they hit the books.

Welcome to Kelsey Meteyer Bane, our new group life, disability and voluntary benefits regional sales executive

Get to know Kelsey Meteyer Bane, our new regional sales executive serving the DC, Maryland and Virginia markets.

Options to help protect the bottom line: When to consider lasers on a stop loss policy

For many employers, backing their self-funded group medical plan with stop loss coverage makes financial sense. “Lasering” is a common stop loss practice in which an individual participant—based on prior claims experience or known conditions—is covered by the stop loss policy at a higher Specific deductible than the rest of the group. Learn more about this potential cost-saving option.

Six ways Symetra supports TPAs

Symetra has a long history of partnering with third-party administrators, brokers and consultants to help make self-funding a success. Learn more about how Symetra supports TPAs…

Kayla Halpin, Symetra's assistant vice president and absence practice lead, talks about her leave journey

We had the opportunity to interview Kayla Halpin, Symetra’s assistant vice president and absence practice lead, on her experience taking maternity leave and what thoughts she’d give to those who may need to take their own leave.

Paving the way for successful returns to work

Bruce Hoffman, a Sr. Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant on our team talks about the importance of a comprehensive return-to-work program and the difference it can make for everyone involved.

Continuity of coverage when changing life insurance carriers

A change in group life insurance carriers is a seamless—perhaps even unnoticed—process for most workers. However, employees who are not actively at work on the new policy’s effective date could find themselves cut off from life insurance coverage. Fortunately, many carriers include continuity of coverage provisions in their contracts to help protect these employees. Keep reading >

Quick claims approvals with Symetra Swift Claims Practices

Experiencing a short-term disability is stressful enough for employees; having to worry about whether they’ll receive their benefit payments shouldn’t be. To make things a little easier, we created our new Swift Claims Practices, a streamlined claims approval process for childbirth, life-changing diagnoses and routine surgeries. Keep reading to learn more.

4 things to know about accelerated death benefit options

Most people associate life insurance with a lump-sum payment to beneficiaries at the time of an insured’s death. And while that’s how the product is used most, there are times when an insured may need their policy benefits while they’re still alive. Learn more about how accelerated death benefit options can help.

Imputed income and the straddle rule

Group term life insurance is a benefit most employees don’t have to think about until they need it. But employers need to be aware of the potential tax implications of employer-sponsored group term life insurance coverage with benefit amounts over $50,000. Employers are responsible for including this taxable income—known as imputed income—as wages on employee W-2 forms.

8 questions to ask when reviewing a potential group life insurance carrier’s waiver of premium option

Waiver of premium is a valuable benefit that allows employees who are unable to work due to a disabling condition to maintain their group life insurance coverage without making premium payments. Because the process for obtaining this benefit varies, here are some questions to consider when evaluating carriers.

Supporting employee's mental health in the workplace

Mental health conditions like depression can have a significant effect on employee productivity and absenteeism. Employers can lessen the impact of mental illness in the workplace by identifying potential mental health concerns and following a few best practices.

The ADA, ADAAA and the “100% rule”

Understanding regulations around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) is essential for providing a welcome workplace for employees with disabilities and avoiding penalties for noncompliance. In this article, we’ll discuss the regulations and highlight a few resources to help you navigate them.

3 ways to support employees with cancer

A cancer diagnosis is one of the most challenging things a person can face. Aside from the physical effects, cancer can affect a person’s mental health, productivity and relationships. Here are a few tips to help your clients support their employees.

How critical illness insurance can supplement disability insurance

Critical illness insurance and disability insurance are fundamentally different products, but both share the same goal of helping to provide financial relief for employees when a medical condition strikes.

Is my critical illness insurance payout taxable?

Are critical illness benefits considered taxable income?

4 reasons to start selling voluntary benefits

Voluntary benefits such as accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance are a growing market for benefits brokers. If you’re not offering them to your clients, it may be time to add them to your portfolio.

How critical illness insurance can help provide an added layer of financial protection when it’s needed most

While medical and disability insurance can help pay for the cost of care and potential loss of income, additional out-of-pocket costs can add financial pressure to an already difficult situation. Critical illness insurance is designed to help with these unexpected costs.

Understanding the value of value-add programs

Employees are used to health care benefits taking a bite out of their paychecks. But what about benefits that help manage or reduce expenses? That’s the idea behind many types of value-add programs that can be included with employee benefit plans. Here’s a review of some frequently used programs that can help employees make the most of their benefits coverage.

Helping to decrease costs—and stress—with supplemental health benefits

The ongoing pandemic has shown the impact an illness can have on a person’s finances. Brendan Sharpe discusses how supplemental health benefits can give employers another avenue in protecting their employees’ financial future.

Understanding the difference between scheduled benefit and per occurrence accident coverage

You may have noticed that we offer two types of accident coverage: scheduled benefit and per occurrence. Understanding how both policies work can help your clients decide which plan best fits their benefits package.

Health Savings Accounts: At the Intersection of Health Care and Wealth Care

If you’re like most people, you mistakenly lump health savings accounts (HSAs) in with the flexible spending accounts (FSAs) offered by employers. But while FSAs have annual “use it or lose it” strictures, HSAs offer tax benefits and long-term, flexible utility that can pack a powerful one-two punch.

Maximizing the potential of HSAs

Whatever direction health care reform takes in the future, health savings accounts—or HSAs—appear positioned to take a larger role. Like a 401(k) for medical expenses, these tax-advantaged savings accounts are designed to help employees accumulate money to spend on qualified medical costs. Here are some of the tax advantages and other benefits HSAs can offer.

Financial wellness at work with voluntary benefits

In today’s high-deductible health plan marketplace, employees are expected to pay a growing share of out-of-pocket expenses. That’s why it’s important to balance a cost-effective benefits plan with coverage that meets the needs of employees and their families. Voluntary benefits such as disability, accident and critical illness coverage can help employers ensure their workforce stays financially well while managing the bottom line.

Stop loss spotlight: Our stop loss claims team

When choosing a stop loss carrier, it's important to partner with a company with a history of following through on its promises. Our stop loss claims team is committed to delivering claim payments as expected—while also seeking opportunities to control costs without sacrificing the quality of care.

Stop loss spotlight: Our Medical Risk Consultant team

From price to policy details to claims speed, there are many factors that go into selecting a stop loss carrier. But a key consideration should also be expertise. Symetra is a pioneer in this business, and we take pride in the collective industry knowledge we bring to our customers across the country.

Four myths about unbundled stop loss

When it comes to medical stop loss, it’s important to get the coverage that’s right for your clients’ needs and budgets. Many major medical insurance carriers offer their own coverage, and may encourage you to “bundle” your stop loss with their plan administration. But as with any major purchase, it’s important to check out the various options the marketplace has to offer.

Keeping medical claims in check

As health care costs continue to rise, more employers are self-funding their employee coverage and using stop loss to protect their plans against large or catastrophic claims. Learn how stop loss carriers and other partners can help mitigate excessive claim charges before they hit the books.

Options to help protect the bottom line: When to consider lasers on a stop loss policy

For many employers, backing their self-funded group medical plan with stop loss coverage makes financial sense. “Lasering” is a common stop loss practice in which an individual participant—based on prior claims experience or known conditions—is covered by the stop loss policy at a higher Specific deductible than the rest of the group. Learn more about this potential cost-saving option.

Six ways Symetra supports TPAs

Symetra has a long history of partnering with third-party administrators, brokers and consultants to help make self-funding a success. Learn more about how Symetra supports TPAs…

Planning for the future stop loss industry

We always look to the future for ways to prepare for an evolving benefits landscape. One way to do that is by developing new talent through the Stop Loss Sales Rotation Training program. Learn more about how this training program has helped us position ourselves for the future of stop loss.

Symetra’s Peer Group Stop Loss Analysis: Harnessing the power of data for self-funded groups

Symetra’s Peer Group Stop Loss Analysis offers insights into how a group’s stop loss purchasing decisions compare to its peers and the industry overall. Learn how we’re using data to help our customers make informed decisions about their coverage.

Supporting Self-Funded Plans During COVID-19

Many employers are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a stop loss carrier, we’re here to help with our COVID-19 Deductible Savings Endorsement. Read more…

Understanding advance funding provisions

Employers who self-fund their group’s or company’s medical coverage typically rely on stop loss to help cover large and unexpected claims. But stop loss is a reimbursement, which means employers must make initial claims payments themselves. Fortunately, many stop loss carriers include advance funding provisions in their contracts that can accelerate reimbursements of qualifying catastrophic claims. Keep reading >

The impact of high-cost pharmaceuticals on self-funded medical plans

We’re living in a time of great medical innovation, and while new medications are exciting for patients and their families, their growing costs can easily overwhelm the budgets of employer groups, particularly those who self-fund.