Benefits Communications

New and Updated

• Date:

  July 15, 2026

  Type:

  Editor's Choice

  The Month Ahead - August 2026

  August 2026 edition of The Month Ahead - your monthly briefing on the HR deadlines, compliance shifts, seasonal disruptions and planning moves to line up before fall picks up speed.

• Type:

  50-State Charts

  Health Insurance Exchange Decisions by State

  Updated to reflect Illinois shift to state-based health exchange beginning January 1, 2026.

• Type:

  Editor's Choice

  Mental Health and the Workplace

  Updated with additional resources and streamlined article structure.

• Type:

  Checklists

  Effectively Manage Open Enrollment Checklist

  Updated to reflect current trends and best practices related to evaluating current benefit offerings, enhancing the communication strategy and engaging employees.

• Type:

  Editor's Choice

  Preparing for Open Enrollment

  Updated to include information on the importance of selling the benefits package and to enhance information on auditing current benefit offerings and creating a clear communication plan.

• Date:

  September 10, 2024

  Type:

  Commentary and Insights

  Tackle Open Enrollment Season

  This article provides guidance to help the HR team be "game day" ready for this open enrollment season.

• Type:

  Leading Practice Guides

  Voluntary Benefits and Perks

  Updated to include information on Employee Resource Groups and the importance of educating employees, and to improve breadth of content related to trends in voluntary benefits, determining the right perks and assessing potential perks.

• Type:

  Letters and Forms

  Post Roe v. Wade Benefits and Sample FAQ Letter

  Employees likely have many questions about how Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which allows states to regulate abortion, impacts their employer-sponsored benefits. This letter answers frequently asked questions about Dobbs and offers resources.

• Type:

  How To

  How to Create a Benefits Communication Plan

  This How To reviews the steps and considerations involved in creating an effective benefits communication plan.

• Type:

  Leading Practice Guides

  Benefit Planning and Design Strategies

  Enhanced to refresh information on developing benefits strategies, determining employer objectives and how to assess employee needs.