Talking Benefits

Curious how AI can improve employee benefits? In this bonus episode, our colleague Kathy Bergstrom shares seven practical use cases—plus what to watch for regarding privacy, security, and human oversight. Learn more in Kathy's blog post: https://blog.ifebp.org/seven-ways-ai-can-be-used-in-employee-benefits/

Bonus episode: we’re unpacking the DOL’s proposed PBM fee disclosure rules, sharing takeaways from our colleague Jenny Gartman. Learn more in Jenny’s blog post: https://blog.ifebp.org/pbm-fee-disclosure-regulatory-and-legislative-update/

In this episode, we celebrate National Employee Benefits Day with a deep dive into the power of volunteering and giving back. Our hosts explore the physical, mental, and workplace benefits of employee volunteer programs, share compelling data and trends—including the rise of micro‑volunteering—and discuss best practices for building meaningful, flexible initiatives. The episode also features real stories from organizations making a difference in their communities and wraps up with ideas and resources to help employers and employees get involved.

Justin talks to Michael P. Brady, Administrator for the Laborers' Local 157 Benefit Funds in Schenectady, NY about his fund's journey in covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and what other organizations can learn from his experience. Micheal is also a long-time member and volunteer with the International Foundation. He has served on the Health Care Management Committee and has spoken at many IFEBP conferences.

This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post: : https://blog.ifebp.org/pbm-rebates-explainer/ Read Jenny's post and many other great blog posts at blog.ifebp.org

Let’s recap last year’s big benefit news and look at what’s ahead of us in 2026!

This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post. Read the post here: https://blog.ifebp.org/executive-order-on-drug-discounts-has-uncertain-impact-on-employers-price-negotiations/ Read Jenny's post and many other great blog posts at blog.ifebp.org/

Planning for retirement is more than just saving and investing money–there are many other things to consider as well, some of which may not be on your radar. So, we turned to Talking Benefits' own Julie Stich for some insight not only because she's a benefits nerdthusiast, but also because she has first-hand experience! In this episode, Julie takes us through all the things she did to prepare for her recent retirement from finances and fun to health and home improvements. "Ready or Not", the book Julie found so helpful in her planning, is available to anyone! Get your own copy at http://www.ifebp.org/readyornot Be sure to listen to the end for Julie's special message to listeners! Yes, you read that correctly - Julie has retired and this is her final episode after 9 (yes, NINE!) years behind the Talking Benefits microphone. The Talking Benefits crew is so incredibly happy for her, but we'll certainly miss her benefits expertise, nerdiness, and especially her warm and ever-present laugh!

This week, Julie chats with special guest Paula Stop, Director of Total Rewards at The Fresh Market, about savings programs in a diverse workforce

The cost of cancer care is rising in the U.S. for patients and employers. Learn how those costs are shaping some U.S. employers' health care benefit offerings in this bonus episode. Read Rebecca's post and many other great blog posts at https://blog.ifebp.org/ View the entire Cancer/Oncology Care Strategies: 2025 Pulse Survey report at https://www.ifebp.org/CancerCare2025 International Foundation members get access to all the Foundation's timely research and much more! Learn about membership at https://www.ifebp.org/membership

This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post at www.ifebp.org/blog To find more resources, including a template of a disaster recovery policy and sample documents, visit the Benefits Knowledge Center: www.ifebp.org/resources---news/b…s-knowledge-center

This week, Justin chats with special guest Michael Stoyanovich, Vice President and Senior Consultant in Segal’s Administration & Technology Consulting practice about the use of artificial intelligence in health plans.

The Big Beautiful Bill impacts employee benefits in a big way. We're sorting through it all from retirement plan changes to commuter reimbursements and more.

This week, Anne chats with special guest Dr. Tyler Amell, about the science behind the aging process .

This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post. Read the post here: https://blog.ifebp.org/what-the-executive-order-increasing-pbm-fee-transparency-means-for-employers/ To find more resources, including a template of a disaster recovery policy and sample documents, visit the Benefits Knowledge Center: www.ifebp.org/resources---news/b…s-knowledge-center

In this episode we're talking to Chelsea Ryckis, President of Ethos Benefits on what it means to view your health plan through the eyes of a fiduciary and how that perspective could lead to savings and improved benefits for your employees. Chelsea presented on this topic at the 2024 International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists Symposium. Hear many other great presentations like hers at this year’s Symposium! https://www.iscebs.org/symposium Check out Chelsea’s own podcast from Ethos Benefits: https://businessofbenefitspodcast.com/ Don't forget - if you manage an ERISA plan, you're legally required to think (and act!) like a fiduciary. The International Foundation has your back with everything you need to know about your fiduciary duties in one easy-to-understand e-learning course. It's a great option to learn about your duties for the first time or brush up on them: https://www.ifebp.org/education---events/virtual-education-and-webcasts/e-learning-course/e-learning-courses/fiduciary-responsibility-for-erisa-plans

Anne and Julie discuss the complicated process of how a bill becomes a law.

This week, Justin chats with special guest Ryan Picarella, Executive Director of the Wellness Alliance, about wellness in the workplace.

This week, we focus on this years theme for National Employee Benefits Day, which is future-ready financial education. We’re diving into the financial stress and mental health of workers. Visit www.ifebp.org/benefitsday for more information.

This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post. Read the post here: https://blog.ifebp.org/building-resilience-how-to-prepare-your-organization-for-disasters/ To find more resources, including a template of a disaster recovery policy and sample documents, visit the Benefits Knowledge Center: https://www.ifebp.org/resources---news/benefits-knowledge-center

What do tiny houses have to do with your staff? A lot, as it turns out. Well, kind of. Host Stacy talks with International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans VP of Talent, Andie Gebert, on her advice and insights for how employers can navigate communications, policies and more for employees spanning four, sometimes five generations, all with different sets of values.

This week, we are joined by special guest Jason Sheffield, the National Director of Compliance at The Baldwin Group, Inc. Join us as we discuss best practices in cybersecurity and updates on recent events.

Did you know there are at least 40 potential areas of employee benefit plan regulations and legislation to watch in 2025 and beyond? In this episode we discuss the things employee benefits professionals should have on their radar in this new presidential administration. Read our colleague, Jenny Gartman's wonderful blog at www.ifebp.org/blog Watch the webcast we discuss at www.ifebp.org/webcasts

In this last episode of the year we're recapping all the big benefits news from 2024.

We talk with Vikki Walton, a leader of health equity on how employers can decrease disparities among their employees' and improve the health of employees and their families with benefit offerings and workplace culture.

On this episode, we revisit the topic of mental health initiatives, in honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th. Catch our Mental Health in the Workplace Virtual Conference on October 9th! Learn more at https://www.ifebp.org/education---events/virtual-education-and-webcasts/virtual-conferences---workshops/mental-health-in-the-workplace-virtual-conference/home

On this Benefits Bonus episode, we take a look at the results of our 2024 Employee Benefits Survey and see how the industry of employee benefits is changing.

This episode we chat about ERISA and its many impacts then, now and in the future.

This month, we focus on the state of GLP-1 drug coverage, and how it is effecting the benefits community.

We talk all things women's health and well-being with Dr. Lana Saal – how women's health issues impact the workforce, why employers should care and how they can help. Dr. Saal gives us the details on how new benefits or simple tweaks to your existing benefit plan can make a huge positive impact on the lives of your staff, your workplace culture and your organization's productivity.

On this episode, we discuss the recent regulatory releases out of Washington D.C. and what they mean for the health benefits industry.

This month the Pod Squad discusses the trends we're seeing in employer financial education benefits and how educating employees on their personal finances can better your organization. Find all of the International Foundation resources and tools Anne and Julie discussed here: http://www.ifebp.org/retirementsecurity

This week, we focus on this years theme for National Employee Benefits Day, which is addressing loneliness in the workplace and what employers can do to help. Visit www.ifebp.org/benefitsday for more information about the best day of the year!

We dive into the many options and why employers may want to consider offering benefits for family-forming services like IFV, egg harvesting, egg and sperm freezing, surrogacy, etc.

Artificial Intelligence seems to be taking the world by storm, but can it be applied to employee benefits? We dive into how this new technology can help benefits professionals and when they should be cautious. This episode is an audio read of a Word on Benefits blog post. Read the post here: https://blog.ifebp.org/three-ways-to-use-ai-in-employee-benefits/

In what has become a Talking Benefits tradition, we're recapping all the big benefits news from 2023 in this last episode of the year. Here are links to all of the International Foundation content we mention in this episode: 2022 Employee Benefits Survey results https://ifebp.org/store/employee-benefits-survey/Pages/default.aspx Workplace Mental Health Toolkit http://www.ifebp.org/mentalhealth Webcast on menopause benefits https://www.ifebp.org/education/webcasts/Pages/webcast-ind.aspx?wcode=23T34&wname=the-next-stage-level-up-by-adding-menopause-benefits-as-a-creative-solution-to-positively-impact-your-organization Blog post on Surrogacy Reimbursement programs http://blog.ifebp.org/inclusive-family-forming-benefits-surrogacy-reimbursement-programs/ Blog post on addressing mental health in the workplace https://blog.ifebp.org/six-steps-to-addressing-mental-health-in-the-workplace/

Talking Benefits producer, Stacy Van Alstyne, shares her recent Word on Benefits blog post on the best practices in addressing mental health in the workplace. You can read Stacy's blog post here: https://blog.ifebp.org/six-steps-to-addressing-mental-health-in-the-workplace/ The International Foundation's Word on Benefits blog has many other great posts on a bevy of benefits topics: https://blog.ifebp.org/ Check out the Mental Health Survey Stacy mentioned in this episode. https://www.ifebp.org/store/Pages/Mental-Health-Survey-2021.aspx International Foundation members get free access to this and dozens more of the Foundation's research reports. Explore membership here: https://www.ifebp.org/Membership/Benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Caregiving, whether it be for children or older relatives, can impact employees' retirement security long into their golden years. In this episode, we talk with Craig Copeland, Ph.D. from the Employee Benefit Research Institute on how caregiving affects employees, who it affects, how it affects the broader economy and how employers can help.

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool, is making headlines. But, does it have any place in the employee benefits industry? We talked to some human experts to find out. Read Kathy's post and many other great blog posts on the International Foundation's Word on Benefits Blog: https://blog.ifebp.org/

More and more states are stepping up to fill the savings gap for individuals who don't have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. In this episode we talk to Christine Cheng, Director of the Illinois SECURE CHOICE program on how Illinois employers fit into the program, and Kim Olson, Senior Officer on the Retirement Savings Project at the Pew Charitable Trusts on what the data tells us about these types of programs.

Employee Benefits are an important part of life in any galaxy. In what has become a sort of Talking Benefits tradition, we're celebrating Star Wars Day with an imagining of the inner workings of benefits administration in a galaxy far, far away. As it turns out, it can be a bit tricky when your participants are separated by several light years or frozen in carbonite. This bonus episode is a reading of a Word on Benefits blog post. You can read it and many other great benefits blog posts here: https://blog.ifebp.org/

In this episode we're talking financial well-being with two staffers from the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on how your employees' finances can impact your organization and how employers can help their employees become more financially secure. Check out the CFPB resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/financial-well-being-resources/ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/financial-well-being/ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/financial-well-being-resources/measure-and-score/

Could education benefits help your organization recruit and retain talent? In this episode we'll school you on the various options available to employers in this area. (see what we did there?) Check out the items mentioned in this episode: Student loan benefits pulse survey: https://ifebp.org/store/Pages/student-loan-survey.aspx 2022 Employee Benefits survey results: https://ifebp.org/store/employee-benefits-survey/Pages/default.aspx Other great research resources from the International Foundation: https://www.ifebp.org/Resources/Research/Pages/default.aspx Learn more about National Employee Benefits Day: https://www.ifebp.org/AboutUs/NEBD/Pages/default.aspx Best practices for student loan match benefit implementation: https://www.plansponsor.com/student-loan-match-can-start-one/

Host Anne shares a blog she wrote on the uptick of employers offering fertility and family forming benefits in order to attract and retain talent. Read this blog post in full here: https://blog.ifebp.org/fertility-benefits-rapidly-rising-as-employers-look-to-attract-and-support-talent/ Check out the results of the 2022 Employee Benefits Survey discussed in this episode here: https://ifebp.org/store/employee-benefits-survey/Pages/default.aspx Read all the other great Word on Benefits blog posts here: https://blog.ifebp.org/

We're diving into the Secure Act 2.0 and what it means for employer and plan sponsors. Read the blog post that inspired this episode here: https://blog.ifebp.org/what-plan-sponsors-need-to-know-after-the-passage-of-secure-2-0-act-of-2022/ Stay up-to-date with the International Foundation's Secure Act 2.0 webpage: https://www.ifebp.org/Resources/benefits-transition-tracker/Pages/secure-act.aspx Check out the Senate summary of the bill here: https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Secure%202.0_Section%20by%20Section%20Summary%2012-19-22%20FINAL.pdf

Another year is coming to an end and we reflect on all that has happened in the benefits industry in 2022 with a Charles Dickens twist. You'll hear the tale of Ebenefits Scrooge and the ghosts of Benefits Past, Present and Future! Check out links to the items we discussed in this episode: https://www.ifebp.org/Resources/Pages/dobbs-decision.aspx https://blog.ifebp.org/inflation-reduction-act-6-health-care-provisions-plan-sponsors-should-know-about/ https://blog.ifebp.org/five-critical-components-of-a-cybersecurity-compliance-review/

The workplace landscape is still evolving in the wake of the pandemic. In this episode we dive into how organizations are reacting to workplace changes and reflecting them in their annual salary increases and total rewards packages. Check out the survey featured in this episode here: https://www.ifebp.org/salaryTR Read the blog post we based this episode on here: https://blog.ifebp.org/68-of-employers-are-planning-salary-increases-for-2023/ And check out all of the International Foundation's great research here: https://www.ifebp.org/research

If your organization is thinking about switching from a traditional vacation plan to unlimited vacation there are a lot of things to consider. In this episode we chat with Kristine Karnath of Moog on how and why her company made the switch and potential pitfalls to avoid. For more information, watch to the International Foundation webcast Kristine was featured in here: https://www.ifebp.org/education/webcasts/Pages/webcast-ind.aspx?wcode=22T09&wname=unlimited-paid-time-off-will-it-work-for-your-organization International Foundation members can watch all of our webcasts for FREE! Get more information on International Foundation membership here: http://www.ifebp.org/membership

The recent ups and downs of the stock market and the economy can be dizzying. In this episode, we talk to an investments guru on what plan sponsors can do to ensure their pension plans are in a good funding position and how employers can communicate to their retirement plan participants during this tumultuous economic time.

Over one in four employers is exploring the expansion of covered abortion services, according to a new report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In this bonus epsiode we delve into the Post-Dobbs Employer Coverage: July 2022 Pulse Survey, which revealed current abortion coverage offerings and future considerations. For more info check out www.ifebp.org/dobbsimpact. Read this blog post and other great posts at blog.ifebp.org Join us at the International Foundation's Annual Employee Benefits Conference to hear the latest on how this Supreme Court decision is impacting benefit plans. Register today: www.ifeb.org/usannual