Group Benefits

What does your group benefits renewal letter actually mean? A plain-language guide to experience rating, pooling, and the cost-containment levers Alberta and BC employers can pull.

Answers to the questions Alberta and BC employers and individuals ask most about group benefits, life insurance, and disability coverage — from an independent, former-underwriter perspective.

Just opened a clinic or professional practice in Alberta or BC? A plain-language guide to Health Spending Accounts, cost-plus claims, and what actually protects a new practice owner.

Alberta employers are modernizing their benefits to stay competitive. 1. Rising Benefit Costs Are Forcing Smarter Plan Design Canadian employers are feeling the pressure of increasing health benefits costs. According to Benefits Canada, the projected cost trend for 2025 is 7.4 %, up from 5 % in 2024. That’s one of the sharpest increases in a decade — driven by inflation, higher drug costs, and increased demand for mental health services. Source: Benefits Canada – 2025 Cost Tr

Starting a group benefits plan doesn’t have to be scary or expensive. The key is to start small, keep costs predictable, and grow over time. Start small. Keep costs predictable. Why offer benefits at all? Alberta Health Care covers doctor and hospital visits, but not most prescriptions, dental work, glasses, or many therapy services. A simple benefits plan helps your team handle everyday costs and shows you’re a caring employer. Set a simple per-employee budget first. The con

When it comes to providing benefits for your employees, Alberta businesses face important choices. Two popular options are Administrative Services Only (ASO) funding and traditional group benefits insurance. Each has unique pros and cons that affect cash flow, risk, and long-term costs. This guide breaks down both approaches so you can decide what’s right for your business and your employees. Understanding ASO Funding Administrative Services Only (ASO) is a funding method whe

When Alberta businesses consider setting up group benefits, one of the most common questions is: How are group benefit premiums and claims taxed? Understanding the tax treatment can help employers design a cost-effective plan and help employees appreciate the real value of their coverage. Group benefits in Alberta help employers attract and retain great teams. This article breaks down group benefits taxation in Alberta from both the premium perspective (what is deductible, wh

Strong teams build strong businesses — group benefits help you attract and keep the people who matter most. Running a small business in Alberta is no small feat — you’re wearing multiple hats, watching cash flow, and building a team that believes in what you’re doing. But here’s the truth: if you don’t offer group benefits, you might be losing great people to businesses that do. Group benefits are no longer just a perk for big corporations. They’re a powerful tool to attract