Group has new take on worker benefits

With more companies struggling to provide such traditional benefits as health insurance and retirement plans, founders of a new business coalition in Colorado Springs think they have an idea that will change the concept of employee benefits.

Employee Benefits Group this month is launching its approach to owners of small and medium businesses. The group consists of 12 professional partners, including a financial planner, an income tax preparer, a lawyer and a business consultant. Collectively, they offer a benefits package with services employers do not typically provide.

“This is a paradigm shift at how you look at employee benefits,” said Chris Baumann, a business consultant with C.M. Solutions LLC and a member of the group. “It goes with the trend of employers trying to add value — but not necessarily cost — to employee benefits.”

In addition to the usual health and life insurance, there are real estate and mortgage services; personal legal services; financial, college and retirement planning; and home and auto insurance. Also, there are free educational seminars, monthly electronic newsletters and merchant coupons for employees.

Employers don’t pay anything for the enhanced benefits package, said Kevin Guttman, a mortgage adviser and the group’s director. Instead, employees pay for the services — but get discounts from 10 percent to 50 percent.

For example, by using the designated real estate agent and mortgage broker from Employee Benefits Group, an employee can save $5,250 when buying a $200,000 home, said Russell Sanderson, an agent with Peak Insurance who has 25 years of experience working with employee benefits. The savings are a result of discounted rates or no charges for the appraisal, inspection, home warranty and closing costs; and $550 worth of gift certificates to local businesses.

The benefits program is unlike most others in that it is available to full and part-time employees, as well as independent contractors, Baumann said.

The program is voluntary for employees, so there’s no cost if an employee chooses not to use the services, Guttman said.

“A lot of times employers offer benefits employees don’t want or value or care about,” he said. “We’re offering a onestop shop for services people use anyway,” he said, “and they get deep discounts and save time on finding credible professionals.”

The professionals participating in the program have been prescreened for business performance and must abide by an ethics agreement, Guttman said.

Even with the discounts, the set-up provides a potential new stream of business for the professional partners, Sanderson said.

“We’re leading with providing services and building relationships,” he said. “We feel if we reach out to serve small business and their employees and families, that ultimately business will come around to us.”

The group takes its services to the work site, and provides free monthly seminars on topics such as investing basics, buying a home and health insurance, Guttman said. Topics are based on results of an anonymous survey, conducted by Employee Benefits Group, that asks employees what additional benefits they want. The survey, conducted before the program is enacted by an employer, enables the group to tailor the benefits package to what employees indicate they want, said Darrell Williams, a financial agent.

Then, other services can be added, Baumann said, such as an automotive mechanic or a household handyman.

Administration, from the employer’s standpoint, is minimal, Guttman said, and the extra perks can help retain employees, boost morale and improve productivity.

Lisanne McNew, assistant director of the Small Business Development Center in Colorado Springs, said she’s impressed by the comprehensiveness of the plan.

“Every business could use this service,” she said. “The innovative approach is a winwin for both the employer and the employee, and it’s something I endorse.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0235 or debbie.kelley@gazette.com