As the new year started, I watched the AFLAC duck attempt yoga on a tv commercial. AFLAC has done a great job at marketing with the duck. But I wondered, do people REALLY know how supplemental benefits work. The next couple months I will do a series of articles on the different carriers, defining the types of benefits available on a voluntary basis, how the plans are implemented and how benefits are paid. This first month, will focus on supplemental benefit basics.
To Keep or Not to Keep. Recordkeeping 101.
Two months into the new decade, and, pretty much, feels just like the last decade, only moving faster! In preparing for the new year, I start by organizing my recordkeeping from the past 12 months. I do this every December. Read More
What You Need to Know About the NEW 2020 Form W-4
The new Form W-4 doesn’t have to be confusing. Read More
You Are Not Alone
Do the laundry, make dinner, pay the bills, pack the kids lunches, clean the house, walk the dog, feed the cat, 5:00 soccer practice…….
And….. this is the ‘to-do’ list rattling around in your head, even before your alarm goes off at 6:00 AM!
Then your day begins…….
Show Your Customers Some Extra Love This Month!
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s that time of year to set aside our busy schedules to show our loved ones how much we care about them. Why not do the same with your business? Here are a few ways that small business owners can show their customers how much they care in the spirit of Valentine’s Day!
Are You More SECURE with The New Tax Law?
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act or “SECURE” Act for short. This law includes several provisions related to retirement and college savings plans to make it easier and less costly for employers to set up and more accessible for employees to save for retirement. There are also items that help older individuals stretch their savings, so they have less chance of outliving their assets.
Marketing Resolutions for 2020
It’s the start of a new decade – does that mean this year’s resolutions are even more important to stick with? Resolutions are only wishes and desires until you format them as an actionable goal with a plan for how to make it a reality. Kick off the roaring ‘20s with marketing resolutions (turned into plans) that will help you reach this year’s business goals. Here are a few idea starters! Read More
Fraud. It Can Be Such a Scary Word.
In working with many small and medium-sized business, I’ve found that people generally don’t like to talk about fraud. Some people are afraid their business will be susceptible to fraud and, therefore, they are paranoid to talk about it.
New Year’s Resolutions—Strive for 2020 Vision for your finances!
Here are 10 tips to get healthy with your finances in 2020:
What is a Standard Operating Procedure and why do you need them? Are they beneficial even for small businesses?
What complicated your prep work for year-end review? Were you missing details needed in order to invoice your customers, whom, by the way, wanted to spend their tax dollars before the 31st? Were you working to reconcile your vendor statement and discovered you are still missing receipts or details from back in July, that you didn’t follow-up on? Do you have all the W9 forms you need from vendors you paid throughout the year?
LAST CALL: New Salary Threshold Rule Starts January 1, 2020
On January 1, 2020 the new Salary Threshold rule takes effect. Employers will be required to pay most executive, administrative, and professional employees at least $684 per week ($35,568 per year). To be exempt from overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees must be paid a salary of at least the threshold amount and meet certain duties tests. If they are paid less or do not meet the tests, they must be paid 1 1/2 times their regular hourly rate for hours worked in excess of 40 in a work week. Read More
Supplemental Benefit Series: Short Term Disability & Accident Policies
Often, I receive inquiries from individuals wanting to purchase short-term disability on an individual basis. Typically, carriers will not offer short-term disability individually as it is not cost effective. Standard short-term disability benefits start either first day for injury or illness or often first-day injury and seventh-day illness. Can you guess who is traditionally most interested in this benefit? Young females.
Your Mission Is Your Vision
Directing your focus, and determining the essential components to achieve your goal, are fundamental segments to successful outcomes.
Employee Assistance Plans Help Achieve a Happier, Healthier Workplace
It is that time of year, the holidays. Stress levels rise through the roof as we try to manage the busyness of the season with everyday stressors; it can feel like a pressure cooker! Offering your employees, the benefit of an EAP helps them to feel supported on a continual basis, whether those stressors are seasonal, every day or major life changes. Many EAPs often go unused because employees don’t know about them, understand what they provide, or employees may feel there’s a stigma around using these services. Or, some employers just don’t offer an EAP in their benefits package. Let’s look into how they can positively affect your whole organization.