Keeping Your Premiums in Check (Without Losing Your Coverage or Your Mind)
By Michele MactaggartWith health benefit costs expected to rise by 7.5% in 2025, it’s no wonder Canadian employers are feeling the heat. The challenge? Managing growing expenses while still offering meaningful support to employees. The good news? Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting care. Across the country, employers are getting creative and strategic about how they […]
How is AI expected to change the benefits industry?
By Michele MactaggartAI is significantly transforming the employee extended health benefits industry in Canada in 2025, with several key developments reshaping how benefits are designed, delivered, and experienced: 1. Hyper-Personalized Benefits AI is enabling a shift from one-size-fits-all plans to deeply personalized, data-driven benefits. Algorithms analyze employee demographics, job roles, lifestyle data, and even wearable health metrics […]
What are the best ways to keep my group benefits costs low?
By Michele MactaggartThe recipe for any good business starts with good people, so offering comprehensive employee benefits is key to attracting and retaining the best talent. However, for many small and medium-sized businesses, the costs of benefits can be a major barrier; finding a balance between supporting employees and staying financially sustainable is no small task. Fortunately, […]
Cultivating Conversation on Mental Health in the Workplace
By Michele MactaggartWith growing awareness of how mental wellbeing impacts productivity, job satisfaction and overall quality of life, it’s more essential than ever for employers to foster a culture that prioritizes mental health. This involves not only creating mental health-friendly policies, but also encouraging open and honest discussion about mental well-being among employees. “Often, when talking mental […]
Managing Costs: Should You Pass Benefit Premiums on to Your Employees?
By Michele MactaggartManaging costs effectively is crucial for the sustainability and growth of any company. One significant expense that often comes under scrutiny is employee benefits and insurance premiums. Employee benefits, especially health insurance, represent a substantial portion of overall compensation costs. With the continuous rise in healthcare expenses, many businesses find it increasingly difficult to bear […]
Prioritizing Wellness: Discussing Benefits with Your Team
By Michele MactaggartIn today’s professional landscape, where work-life balance is often elusive, prioritizing wellness in the workplace has become more important than ever. As a leader or manager, it’s essential to initiate conversations about benefits and wellness with your team to ensure their overall health and productivity. Addressing these topics is crucial for fostering a positive and […]
At renewal time, should I shop out my plan for the best deal?
By Michele MactaggartThe joys of renewal time; when the temptation to shop around for a new plan can be oh-so-alluring. But before you dive headfirst into the world of comparison shopping, let’s take a moment to consider why sticking to your current plan might actually be the smarter move. First things first, let’s talk stability. Switching benefits […]
How can I lower my costs without reducing coverage for my employees?
By Michele MactaggartOne of biggest challenges in finding a benefits plan for an SME is the concept of cost vs. functionality. No two people, let alone an entire workforce, are living the same life, facing the same challenges, or experiencing the same hardships at one time; so how can you as an employer get the most functionality […]
On the Rise: Trending Benefits of 2023
By Michele MactaggartEmployee benefits have gained attention over the past few years, and rightfully so. Today’s growing Millennial and Gen Z workforce understands the importance of basic healthcare, and the advantages of working for an employer that offers other types of benefits that support their lives outside work. As we navigate an age of high turnover and […]
GRSPs: Benefiting Everyone’s Future
By Michele MactaggartIf you’re anything like me, you occasionally dream about what you’ll be doing after retirement. Floating on a yacht around the Spanish coast? Travelling the globe now that your kids have left the nest? It’s easy to dream big, but with the cost of living at an all time high, many feel the yacht may […]
