Benefits Communication for Plan Sponsors
You wear many hats working in employee benefits, and benefits communication could be one of your most challenging roles. A big part of the benefits communication challenge is that employees are not benefits experts, nor should they be! Use the tools below to evaluate and elevate your benefits communication plan, helping your plan participants make the most informed decisions at critical times during their employee life cycle.
Communicating Employee Benefits
A common challenge in employee benefits is effectively communicating the benefits in place for participants. With more channels than ever for relaying information, clear communication requires knowledge and skills in strategies and measurements. This course will explore best practices and new strategies in communicating benefits to plan participants and measuring the plan for success. Take a deep dive into communication budgets, new technology, measuring results and more!
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Trends in Benefit Open Enrollment and Communication: 2020 Survey Report
The Trends in Benefit Open Enrollment and Communication: 2020 US Survey Report discusses standard practices for year-round benefit communication, communication related specifically to open enrollment, and how organizations are adjusting their communication efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
View ReportThe Hidden Cost of Wrong Choices: Guiding Employees to Better Benefits Decisions (Benefits Magazine, May/June 2026)
The often-rushed benefit choices that workers make during open enrollment can profoundly impact their health and financial well-being. How can plan sponsors actively support better decision making? They can lead with personalized decision tools, time communications strategically, and make the long term visible by showing the financial impact of decision-making for the long term.
What's Working: Custom Communication Boosts Benefits Engagement (Benefits Magazine, March/April 2026)
The Northwest Plumbers & Pipefitters (NWPP) Health Fund embarked on a mission to improve awareness of not only their member assistance program (MAP) but the fund’s other benefits and programs. How did the fund increase engagement and build awareness of their benefits? They updated their website to be mobile friendly, provided a secure portal link to their third party administrator, and tailored communications to member needs and concerns.
Honing Your Trustee Communication Skills: A Guide to Navigating Complex Conversations (Benefits Magazine, March/April 2026)
Good communication skills can help benefit plan trustees build trust, reduce conflict and, ultimately, comply with their fiduciary duties. How can trustees become more effective communicators? They can ask thoughtful questions, take advantage of various educational resources, and master core communication skills like active listening, building empathy, and tailoring communications for the multiple generations in the workforce.
Strategic Shifts: Communication for Meaningful Organizational Change (Plans & Trusts, January/February 2026)
Transformation isn't about perfection and technicalities; it's about engaged people. By adopting a strategic and employee-centric approach to communicating change, organizations can not only manage transitions effectively but also reinforce their commitment to their most valuable asset—their people. What are steps organizations can focus on? They can communicate the larger strategy, have the right partners at the table, build a flexible roadmap for the project, empower teams to champion change, and be authentic and empathic.
DC Plan Member Education: From Apathy to Opportunity (Plans & Trust, March/April 2025)
Retirement plans help employees secure their financial future, yet many underutilize these benefits. Many DC plan members need to be made aware of the full range of benefits their plans offer, as they often leave valuable resources untapped. How can plans stress the importance of education and communication? They can start by increasing awareness and understanding features that empower members to make more informed decisions, maximizing their savings potential and improving their overall financial well-being.
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