You may already be helping your group benefits clients plan forthe 2018 benefits year.

Each new year offers a clean slate and an opportunity toset ambitious goals for the year ahead. Improving spending habitsconsistently ranks as one of the most popular New Year’sresolutions each year, and it’s safe to say that the same will betrue in 2018. However, while many people may set New Year’sresolutions, a staggering 92 percent fail to meet their goals,according to Statistic Brain.

A recent survey from Gallup found that Americans were moreworried about finances in 2016 than in 2015.Knowing that financial stress can lead to an employee having poorphysical and mental health, advisers can provide clients with theresources to help their employees ease financial stress andincrease overall health. Below are a few things to keep in mind asyou provide clients guidance to ensure employees are off to astrong start that keeps them on the path to achieving the goalsthey’ll be setting for 2018.

Decreasing medical spending can increase financialwellness

Health care spending rose 5.8 percent to $3.2trillion in 2015, which is approximately $10,000 for every personin the United States, according to U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services data. Being proactive against rising medical costsis an essential first step in avoiding financial stress and stayingon track with health and financial wellness goals. Here are threesteps advisers can share with clients to help employees stay aheadof unexpected costs:

1. Compare health care costs before treatmentoccurs. To mitigate rising health care costs, employeesshould shop around for the most affordable health care treatments,as they would with other products or services. The idea of shoppingaround when it comes to health care services can be daunting foremployees, but it is a simple approach to getting the best valuefor your dollar. Employers can share online comparison tools tohelp employees find quality care at the best price before treatmentoccurs.

2. Monitor health spending. Throughout the year,clients can remind employees to track medical spending and identify areas of carewith the largest expenses. By remaining mindful of employeespending, clients will be more likely to understand theiremployees’ needs and can work with advisers to offer tailoredvoluntary benefits solutions during the next enrollment period thatwill provide more targeted financial protection in areas whereemployees experienced greater expenses.

3. Increase benefits education. Extended benefitscommunication can improve employee understanding of the optionsoffered and increase employee participation, which can reducehealth care spending. Clients can distribute informationalmaterials to make sure employees understand the four W’s of theirplans: who and what are covered by benefits plans, when they shoulduse specific services and why certain product options are bestutilized in certain situations.

Expanding wellness programs can improve overallhealth

In recent years, wellness programs have grown in popularity andremain a viable option for improving the overall wellness ofclients’ workforces by encouraging preventative care throughout theyear. Some common wellness program options include those that allowemployees to manage weight, sleeping habits and blood pressure,discontinue tobacco use, and provide access to programs likenutrition planning meetings or gym memberships.

Emotional wellness should not be forgotten when working withclients to create a wellness program for their employees.Mindfulness, meditation and yoga courses are effective options toreduce stress and increase engagement at work. Wellness programoptions are endless, but remind clients that to be truly effective,their wellness program should be tailored specifically toemployees’ needs. And what better way to understand what employeesreally need out of a program than to go straight to the source andbuild out a plan from there?

A step in the right direction

Proper preparation and clear action steps can help employeesstay ahead of health and financial goals. By providing support andtailored solutions, advisers can make sure clients and theiremployees get a strong start.