2022 Contribution Limits Announced For FSA and Commuter
The IRS released the 2022 contribution limits for Mass Transit, Parking, Medical FSA, and Adoption Assistance in Revenue Procedure 2021-45. The limits are effective for plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2022. 2022 CONTRIBUTION LIMIT: MASS TRANSIT AND PARKING Maximum Election: $280 / month (up from $270 / month in 2021) 2022 […]
One Plan to Rule Them All: How HSAs Work for Different Incomes
JRR Tolkien said it best, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Ever asked yourself, have I planned ahead enough? Whether it’s prepping meals for the next week or setting your sights on goals that are years away, planning ahead can be overwhelming. We’re sharing how […]
It’s a Pre-tax Benefits Monster Mash
Pre-tax benefits are a great thing to take advantage of whether you’re male or female, young or old…and alive or dead? For a little “Spooky Season” fun, we take a look at various monsters and match them up with the perfect pre-tax account to help employees see why they should enroll in pre-tax benefits. Why […]
Finding an Effective Drug Addiction Program
Does your benefit plan include a drug addiction program and solutions for employees? Drug overdose deaths have tripled since 1990. Nearly 21 million Americans struggle with addiction, but only 10% receive treatment. However, seeking recovery can present challenges that often result in an extended journey to overcome the addiction. Addictions can destroy careers, marriages, friendships, […]
Benefits 101: What to know about HSAs as open enrollment approaches
We were recently featured in an article on Employee Benefits News discussing what to know about Health Savings Accounts. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be a critical benefit that supports employees’ physical and financial well-being — and more employers are focused on not letting these tools fall through the cracks during Open Enrollment. “HSAs create […]
3 questions employees should ask before Open Enrollment 2021
Healthcare is complicated, so how can you get the most out of Open Enrollment 2021? We recommend narrowing down what information you need. Start by using this list of three questions you should ask yourself before signing up for your pre-tax benefits. Question 1: What were my healthcare expenses last year? It’s good to start […]
Turning Wounds into Wisdom: Join us September 21
The past year and a half has been challenging. There were times many of us, for one reason or another, probably wanted to hide from humanity. Adulting, parenting, and working became hard. But, we can take a cue from Oprah Winfrey and “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” Let’s learn from the pain points and challenges […]
Personal protective equipment: Buying masks and hand sanitizer?
NOTE: A previous version of this blog on personal protective equipment was originally published in October 2020. It has been updated to include a new legislative updates from March 2021 and more. In March 2021, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7, establishing that “personal protective equipment such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, used for […]
Fight lower back pain with one muscle
Many people experience lower back pain. Before the pandemic, many of us were alternating between sitting at our desks and sitting in meetings every day. The onset of COVID-19 didn’t do much to get us up and moving, which increased the chances of a sedentary-driven life and lower back pain. So what causes the pain? […]
9 benefits tips that Schitt’s Creek taught us
At Benefit Resource (BRI) we love to talk about how our benefit programs save both companies and employees real (hard-earned) money. But we would love to show you what we offer even more. Check out this interesting Schitt’s Creek GIF approach. ? It looks like we can learn a few things from the Rose family. […]
4 Times Star Wars Taught Us About Benefits
May the Fourth be with you! Like Star Wars, pre-tax benefits have been around for a while. In fact, the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, mere months before the first pre-tax plan arose in the form of cafeteria plans. But that’s not where the similarities between Star Wars and benefits end. These […]
Employee benefits card evaluation – 5 things to look for
There are a lot of things you should take into consideration when evaluating a third-party administrator (TPA) to partner with. There are obvious things like service, technology, and expertise. But what about their employee benefits card? We’re here to tell you that not all employee benefits cards are created equal. When comparing your options, here […]
Managing stress while working from home
Managing stress can be stressful. With so many of us working from home, personal and professional pressures have a chance to comingle in one space. Sometimes it feels like there’s just no escape! Before you read this, feel free to stand up, maybe stretch with a few shoulder rolls, and grab some water. Feeling refreshed? […]
How does a decision support tool work?
Here’s a scary statistic for you: according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 80% of employers struggle to get employees to read benefits enrollment materials during Open Enrollment. Can you really blame the employees though? A lot of the time these materials are long, boring, and filled with a bunch of jargon they […]
3 Things You Thought Were Eligible that Actually Aren’t
Picture this: you’re at your local pharmacy filling your cart after receiving your benefits card in the mail. When you get to the register, your card doesn’t seem to want to swipe. WHAT?! Angrily, you step aside and call your benefits provider to give them a piece of your mind. Apparently, according to the person […]
Quick Reference Guide to Acronyms used in Benefits
If you are feeling like you need a special decoder ring to understand your benefits, you are not likely alone. But we have just what you need. We’ll break down common (and not so common) acronyms used in benefits. To make it (hopefully) a little easier, we will tackle it through four groups: Rules and […]
Covering health care costs in retirement
Whether it’s right around the corner or still decades away, there is never a wrong time to consider how to cover health care costs in retirement. According to a 2019 study by HealthView Services, couples in their 50s today are expected to pay around $400,000 in lifetime retirement health care costs. Yikes! So, how can […]
What does a mid-year change look like?
Employers often think they have one chance each year to make changes to their administrative services and vendors. We are going to let you in on a dirty little secret—open enrollment is not the only time to consider a change. In fact, there are certain situations when a mid-year change just makes sense (or cents […]
Dear Valued Participant, we’re here for you
BRI Participant Services connects with thousands of valued employees every month. Call topics range from account login troubleshooting to eligibility confusion questions to claim inquiries. They hear it all! At BRI, we actively invest in our participants’ health and wellbeing. We strive every day to create the resources you need to maximize your savings and […]
Help your employees better understand pre-tax benefits
We analyzed our website to determine what pages employees were visiting the most in 2020. By doing so, we hope that it will help you assist your employees in finding the resources they need. As a result, this should help them better understand pre-tax benefits and how to effectively use their accounts. Benefits and COVID-19 […]
How might a Democrat controlled Government impact pre-tax benefits?
With the election now behind us, and Democrats in control of the White House and both houses of Congress, what might that mean for pre-tax benefits? Is it a dooms-day scenario? Or, are all dreams of changes about to come true? Like most things, in the end, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. […]
The secret to having a comprehensive benefits package
As an employer, you want your benefits package to be a one-stop-shop for your employees. Not only will a comprehensive benefits package keep your current employees happy, but it will help you attract new talent. We’re here to let you in on a secret to help you kick your benefits up a notch. But first, […]
7 ways to manage your benefits better, based on your personality
If you are looking for a new way to manage your benefits this year, you might enjoy building it around an approach that factors in your existing organizational habits and your personality. While it often feels like benefits are a tertiary part of our daily lives, incorporating them as part of the bigger picture helps […]
Relief for FSAs in Year-end Spending Bill
Would 2020 be complete without a surprise twist or two?… However, this might be the surprise we have been hoping for. Congress has finally provided much needed relief for Health FSAs and Dependent Care FSAs in the passage of the year-end spending bill. Learn more in the Summary H.R. 133 of Authorizing Matters and the […]
