Employee Benefits Guide
Benefits Consulting

Employee Benefits Consulting

Expert Advice That Lowers Your Benefits Cost

Employee benefits consulting is professional advice that helps you design, buy, and manage your benefits package at the lowest possible cost. A good consultant shops the market, optimizes your plan design, and manages your renewals so you never accept a default increase again. For most small businesses, consulting pays for itself many times over.

15 to 30%

Typical savings from benefits consulting

Annual

Renewals managed for you

30+

Carriers and PEOs shopped

Free

To get started with a review

What Drives Your Cost

Key Benefits Cost Factors

Market Shopping

A consultant shops your group across multiple carriers and the PEO market so you see real rates, not just your current carrier renewal.

Plan Design

A consultant optimizes your deductibles, copays, and employer versus employee share to balance cost and employee value.

Cost Reduction

A consultant identifies overpriced plans, redundant coverage, and tax advantaged account opportunities that lower your total cost.

Renewal Management

A consultant treats every renewal as a negotiation, shopping the market before you accept any increase.

Employee Education

A consultant helps employees understand and value their benefits, which improves retention without raising your cost.

Compliance Support

A consultant keeps your plan compliant with ACA, ERISA, and other regulations, reducing your legal risk.

What It Is

What Employee Benefits Consulting Actually Is

Employee benefits consulting is professional advice on how to design, buy, and manage your employee benefits package. A consultant is an independent expert who works for you, not the insurance carrier. They shop the market across multiple carriers and PEOs, optimize your plan design, manage your renewals, and keep you compliant. The goal is to deliver the best benefits at the lowest cost, year after year.

  • An independent expert who works for you, not the carrier
  • Shops the market across multiple carriers and PEOs
  • Optimizes plan design to balance cost and value
  • Manages renewals so you never accept a default increase
  • Keeps your plan compliant with ACA, ERISA, and more
  • Helps employees understand and value their benefits
Why You Need It

Why Small Businesses Need Benefits Consulting

Most small businesses do not have a dedicated benefits expert on staff. The owner or office manager handles benefits, usually without the time or market knowledge to shop effectively. The result is overpaying for plans that employees do not value, and accepting renewal increases year after year. A consultant brings the expertise and market access that small businesses lack, and the savings typically far exceed the cost.

How It Pays

How Benefits Consulting Pays for Itself

Benefits consulting pays for itself in three ways. First, market shopping typically finds 15 to 30 percent savings versus your current plan. Second, renewal management prevents the 5 to 15 percent annual increases that compound over time. Third, plan design optimization and tax advantaged accounts lower your taxable payroll. Together, these savings far exceed any consulting cost. For most small businesses, the ROI is immediate and ongoing.

FAQ

Benefits Consulting FAQ

What does an employee benefits consultant do?

An employee benefits consultant shops the market across multiple carriers and PEOs, optimizes your plan design, manages your renewals, keeps you compliant, and helps employees understand their benefits. They work for you, not the carrier, and their goal is to deliver the best benefits at the lowest cost.

How much does employee benefits consulting cost?

Many consultants are paid by the insurance carrier through commissions, which means there is no direct cost to you. Others charge a flat fee. Either way, the savings from market shopping, renewal management, and plan optimization typically far exceed the cost. The ROI is usually immediate.

How much can I save with employee benefits consulting?

Businesses typically save 15 to 30 percent through market shopping and plan optimization. Renewal management prevents the 5 to 15 percent annual increases that compound over time. Use our PEO Cost Savings Calculator to estimate your specific savings.

Do I need a benefits consultant if I have a broker?

A good independent broker provides consulting as part of their service. The key is that they are independent, shop the market, and work for you rather than a single carrier. If your current broker only represents one carrier or does not shop your renewal every year, you need a better advisor.
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We know employee benefits inside and out. We will review your current plan, shop your rates across the market, and show you exactly where you can save. Free, no obligation.