Employers can take several steps to help workers fully understand their benefits options and make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families:

Communicate all year about benefits so employees are better prepared at decision time. Thirty-nine percent of workers indicate they typically enroll in benefits as soon as the open-enrollment window opens.
Offer a variety of tools to reach the workforce, such as emails, webinars, one-on-one support from benefits counselors, educational videos, interactive decision support tools and social media. About 48% of workers have used social media platforms to learn about benefits, with YouTube and Facebook being the most common.
Use clear language and personalized messaging to demonstrate how the insurance products relate to their lifestyle rather than simply listing what benefits are being offered.
Highlight services that may come with insurance coverage, such as an employee assistance program or will-preparation services.

"I encourage workers to take extra time this year to reflect on what changes have occurred in their life and select the benefits that best fit their individual needs and budget to help protect their finances in the long run," MacKinnon says.

Instant Insights /

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