Moments of Clarity: Being Transparent | California Employee Benefits

culture, Employees, Employers, Human Resources, Leadership, motivation, Workplace

Aristotle was right when he said, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Companies and politicians like to say that they’re transparent, when in fact, they’re often the opposite. And, as in nature, in the absence of facts, people will often fill their minds with what is perceived.

by Mike Radakovich

Redesigned W-4 Form to Launch in 2020 | CA Benefits Partners

Compliance, Employees, Employers, Forms, Human Resources, IRS, W-4, Workplace

When will the new Form W-4 be released? In 2020, according to a press release published by the Treasury Department on September 20, 2018. The department announced that the IRS will implement a redesigned W-4 form for tax year 2020, a timeline that will allow for continued work to refine the new approach for the form.

by Mike Radakovich

Look Backward to Plan Forward | CA Benefits Agents

Benefits, Employee Benefits, Enrollment, Health Insurance, Healthcare, Insurance, Life Insurance, Open Enrollment

We have entered Open Enrollment season and that means you and everyone in your office are probably reading through enrollment guides and trying to decipher it all. As you begin your research into which plan to choose or even how much to contribute to your Health Savings Account (HSA), consider evaluating how you used your health plan last year. Looking backward can actually help you plan forward and make the most of your health care dollars for the coming year.

by Mike Radakovich

9 Reasons to Get Life Insurance for a Stay At Home Parent

You’re probably already aware that a parent with a job outside the house most likely needs life insurance to protect their loved ones in case something were to happen. But it’s not just breadwinners who need coverage—stay-at-home parents do, too. Here are nine reasons why.

by Mike Radakovich

Wearable Technology in the Workplace | California Benefit Advisors

Employee Benefits, Employees, Employers, motivation, Technology, Wellness, Workplace

Don’t lie--we ALL love gadgets. From the obscure (but hilariously reviewed on Amazon) Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer to the latest iteration of the Apple empire. Gadgets and technology can make our lives easier, make processes faster, and even help us get healthier. Businesses are now using the popularity of wearable technology to encourage employee wellness and increase productivity and morale.

by Mike Radakovich

Open Enrollment Tips for Employers | CA Benefits Agency

Benefit Advisors, Benefits, California Employee Benefits, Cupertino Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits, Human Resources, Insurance, Open Enrollment

open enrollment tips for employers

It’s typical to have mixed feelings about the annual benefits open enrollment period. Dread for the additional administrative workload and potential benefits cost increases… Anticipation of newer, more attractive, and easier to administer plans… It makes for a fall season that causes many HR professionals and benefits brokers to drown their misery in pumpkin spice lattes.

by Mike Radakovich

Wealthy vs Financial Fit: Here’s the Difference and Why it Matters

Family, Financial Planning, Insurance, Life Insurance, motivation

People can be wealthy without being financially fit, meaning they can have a lot of assets or money tied up in assets, but those assets aren’t “liquid.” Let me explain. Say you have a house that has escalated in value in the real estate market. You may have this large asset, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re financially comfortable from an income standpoint. You aren’t able to tap into that “wealth” to pay for your day-to-day expenses.

by Mike Radakovich

Addressing Mental Health Care at Work: Employee Mental Health Engagement

EAP, Employee Benefits, Employees, Employers, Human Resources, Mental Health, Therapy, Workplace

Nancy Spangler, a senior consultant at the Center for Workplace Mental Health of the American Psychiatric Foundation, says that one in five adults has a mental health disorder, and one in 10 has a substance abuse problem. In addition, major depression and its associated conditions cost the U.S. over $210 billion every year. Clearly, mental health is an issue we need to investigate both in our offices and across the country.

by Mike Radakovich

Final Rule on Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance

Department of Labor, Employee Benefits, Employers, Final Rule, Health Care, Human Resources, Insurance, IRS, Short-term insurance

On August 1, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Labor (collectively, the Departments) released a final rule that amends the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance. HHS also released a fact sheet on the final rule.

by Mike Radakovich

Do Single People REALLY Need Life Insurance? | California Benefits Advisors

Employee Benefits, Employees, Family, Insurance, Life Insurance, Millennials

Many people make the assumption that life insurance is for married couples and those with kids. While it is true that not all single people need life insurance, there are a number of reasons when it can make (really) good sense.

by Mike Radakovich