BenefitsPRO Magazine-December 2020
Action/Reaction
This chaotic year has challenged benefits professionals to get creative and adopt new ideas that will carry them into the future.
Letter from the Editor
Every crystal ball is cloudy, at best. But there's reason to be optimistic about the coming year.
Features
Here are four key trends coming out of 2020 that will benefit both advisors and HR professionals in the new year and beyond.
Only a small minority of employers offer an equitable benefits design. It's time for that to change.
Columnists
When a producer plays their proper role when taking care of the client, way fewer issues crop up and threaten the relationship.
Why do employers choose to offer voluntary benefits? Is it to aid in recruitment, drive well-being, or something else altogether?
The voluntary enrollment process has reflected the diversity in our marketplace since the early days, but there's still farther to go.
Face of Change
Alex Dampf, president of Oakmont Benefits Group, believes in constant communication and collaboration with his peers.
Trending Stories
- 1Parental Burnout: Strategies for a Healthier, More Engaged Workforce
- 2CMS: Final rule on Medicare Advantage plans caps comp for brokers, agents
- 3$1,000-a-month Ozempic, new weight loss drug, costs $5 to manufacture: Yale study
- 4HHS issues final rule to regulate 'junk' insurance, limiting access to short-term plans
- 5ACA 'plan-switching' scheme targeted low-income consumers: Insurance agents sued
{ "data": { "slug": "benefitspro-magazine-december-2020", "title": "BenefitsPRO Magazine-December 2020", "type": "issue", "packageUrl": "", "summary": "", "cssFile": "", "imageUrl": "//www.almcms.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/BPRO-1220-Cover.jpg", "mediaUrl": "", "blurb": "", "articles": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/09/a-fresh-start-for-benefits-in-2021/", "title": "A fresh start for benefits in 2021", "summary": "Here are four key trends coming out of 2020 that will benefit both advisors and HR professionals in the new year and beyond.", "byline": "Dennis Healy", "kicker": "Best Practices", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 09, 2020", "wordcount": "1719", "timeToRead": "9 minute", "readtime": "9", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dennis-healy/", "name": "Dennis Healy" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/best-practices/", "sectionName": "Best Practices" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/1220-Fresh-Start-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/11/30/better-days-ahead/", "title": "Better days ahead", "summary": "Every crystal ball is cloudy, at best. But there's reason to be optimistic about the coming year.", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "November 30, 2020", "wordcount": "596", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/FlowerCrackShutterstock.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/28/take-offs-landings-and-emergencies-in-flight/", "title": "Take-offs, landings and emergencies-in-flight", "summary": "When a producer plays their proper role when taking care of the client, way fewer issues crop up and threaten the relationship.", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 28, 2020", "wordcount": "608", "timeToRead": "4 minute", "readtime": "4", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/Airplanes.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/22/what-are-your-clients-goals-in-offering-voluntary-benefits/", "title": "What are your clients' goals in offering voluntary benefits?", "summary": "Why do employers choose to offer voluntary benefits? Is it to aid in recruitment, drive well-being, or something else altogether?", "byline": "Erin Marino and Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 22, 2020", "wordcount": "582", "timeToRead": "3 minute", "readtime": "3", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/erin-marino/", "name": "Erin Marino" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/Diversify2.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/10/diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-benefits-space/", "title": "Diversity and inclusion in the benefits space", "summary": "The voluntary enrollment process has reflected the diversity in our marketplace since the early days, but there's still farther to go.", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 10, 2020", "wordcount": "645", "timeToRead": "4 minute", "readtime": "4", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/YoungEmployeesDiversityShutterstock.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/02/the-way-forward-benefits-brokers-look-ahead-to-2021/", "title": "The way forward: Benefits brokers look ahead to 2021", "summary": "For better or worse, the pandemic has drastically changed everything from office operations to client interaction to marketing strategies.", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "Market Insights", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 02, 2020", "wordcount": "2394", "timeToRead": "12 minute", "readtime": "12", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/12/1220-CoverStory-Way-Forward-Animated-MI.gif", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/08/ignoring-inequitable-benefit-design-is-not-an-option/", "title": "Ignoring inequitable benefit design is not an option", "summary": "Only a small minority of employers offer an equitable benefits design. It's time for that to change.", "byline": "Bruce Sherman and Kimberly Westrich", "kicker": "Commentary", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 08, 2020", "wordcount": "964", "timeToRead": "5 minute", "readtime": "5", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/bruce-sherman/", "name": "Bruce Sherman" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kimberly-westrich/", "name": "Kimberly Westrich" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/1220-HR-Perspectives-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/23/were-going-to-take-care-of-this-a-qa-with-alex-dampf/", "title": "We're going to take care of this: A Q&A with Alex Dampf", "summary": "Alex Dampf, president of Oakmont Benefits Group, believes in constant communication and collaboration with his peers.", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Q&A", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 23, 2020", "wordcount": "2359", "timeToRead": "12 minute", "readtime": "12", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/q-and-a/", "sectionName": "Q&A" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/Dampf-Alex-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/14/5-things-we-said-goodbye-to-in-2020/", "title": "5 things we said goodbye to in 2020", "summary": "As we bid a fond (?) farewell to 2020, there are a few aspects of work/life that have disappeared or been replaced.", "byline": "Dan Cook", "kicker": "Slideshow", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 14, 2020", "wordcount": "145", "timeToRead": "1 minute", "readtime": "1", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dan-cook/", "name": "Dan Cook" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/slideshow/", "sectionName": "Slideshow" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/GoodbyeShutterstock.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/29/diary-of-a-bad-year/", "title": "Diary of a bad year", "summary": "This chaotic year has challenged benefits professionals to get creative and adopt new ideas that will carry them into the future.", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Conversation", "tags": [], "prettyDate": "December 29, 2020", "wordcount": "2253", "timeToRead": "12 minute", "readtime": "12", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/conversation/", "sectionName": "Conversation" } ], "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/2020Flames.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ], "navigations": [ { "name": "Cover Story", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/02/the-way-forward-benefits-brokers-look-ahead-to-2021/", "title": "The way forward: Benefits brokers look ahead to 2021", "byline": "Alan Goforth", "kicker": "Market Insights", "summary": "For better or worse, the pandemic has drastically changed everything from office operations to client interaction to marketing strategies.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/alan-goforth/", "name": "Alan Goforth" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/market-insights/", "sectionName": "Market Insights" } ], "readtime": "12", "prettyDate": "December 02, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/12/1220-CoverStory-Way-Forward-Animated-MI.gif", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] }, { "name": "Action/Reaction", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/29/diary-of-a-bad-year/", "title": "Diary of a bad year", "byline": "BenefitsPRO Editors", "kicker": "Conversation", "summary": "This chaotic year has challenged benefits professionals to get creative and adopt new ideas that will carry them into the future.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/benefitspro-editors/", "name": "BenefitsPRO Editors" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/conversation/", "sectionName": "Conversation" } ], "readtime": "12", "prettyDate": "December 29, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/2020Flames.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] }, { "name": "Letter from the Editor", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/11/30/better-days-ahead/", "title": "Better days ahead", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Editor's Letter", "summary": "Every crystal ball is cloudy, at best. But there's reason to be optimistic about the coming year.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/editors-letter/", "sectionName": "Editor's Letter" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "November 30, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/FlowerCrackShutterstock.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] }, { "name": "Features", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/09/a-fresh-start-for-benefits-in-2021/", "title": "A fresh start for benefits in 2021", "byline": "Dennis Healy", "kicker": "Best Practices", "summary": "Here are four key trends coming out of 2020 that will benefit both advisors and HR professionals in the new year and beyond.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/dennis-healy/", "name": "Dennis Healy" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/best-practices/", "sectionName": "Best Practices" } ], "readtime": "9", "prettyDate": "December 09, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/1220-Fresh-Start-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/08/ignoring-inequitable-benefit-design-is-not-an-option/", "title": "Ignoring inequitable benefit design is not an option", "byline": "Bruce Sherman and Kimberly Westrich", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "Only a small minority of employers offer an equitable benefits design. It's time for that to change.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/bruce-sherman/", "name": "Bruce Sherman" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kimberly-westrich/", "name": "Kimberly Westrich" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "5", "prettyDate": "December 08, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/1220-HR-Perspectives-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] }, { "name": "Columnists", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/28/take-offs-landings-and-emergencies-in-flight/", "title": "Take-offs, landings and emergencies-in-flight", "byline": "Kevin Trokey", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "When a producer plays their proper role when taking care of the client, way fewer issues crop up and threaten the relationship.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/kevin-trokey/", "name": "Kevin Trokey" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "4", "prettyDate": "December 28, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/Airplanes.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/22/what-are-your-clients-goals-in-offering-voluntary-benefits/", "title": "What are your clients' goals in offering voluntary benefits?", "byline": "Erin Marino and Nick Rockwell", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "Why do employers choose to offer voluntary benefits? Is it to aid in recruitment, drive well-being, or something else altogether?", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/erin-marino/", "name": "Erin Marino" }, { "webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/", "name": "Nick Rockwell" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "3", "prettyDate": "December 22, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/06/Diversify2.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } }, { "uri": "/2020/12/10/diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-benefits-space/", "title": "Diversity and inclusion in the benefits space", "byline": "Marty Traynor", "kicker": "Commentary", "summary": "The voluntary enrollment process has reflected the diversity in our marketplace since the early days, but there's still farther to go.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/marty-traynor/", "name": "Marty Traynor" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/commentary/", "sectionName": "Commentary" } ], "readtime": "4", "prettyDate": "December 10, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/YoungEmployeesDiversityShutterstock.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] }, { "name": "Face of Change", "description": "", "link": "", "query": "", "showAll": "", "searchContents": [ { "uri": "/2020/12/23/were-going-to-take-care-of-this-a-qa-with-alex-dampf/", "title": "We're going to take care of this: A Q&A with Alex Dampf", "byline": "Paul Wilson", "kicker": "Q&A", "summary": "Alex Dampf, president of Oakmont Benefits Group, believes in constant communication and collaboration with his peers.", "isDownload": "false", "authors": [ { "webUrl": "/author/profile/paul-wilson/", "name": "Paul Wilson" } ], "kickerNode": [ { "uri": "/q-and-a/", "sectionName": "Q&A" } ], "readtime": "12", "prettyDate": "December 23, 2020", "primaryCategory": { "channelName": "", "sectionName": "", "uri": "" }, "image": { "uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2020/11/Dampf-Alex-MI.jpg", "width": "0", "height": "0" } } ] } ], "sponsors": [] } }