One of the more significant expenses incurred by employers is the cost to recruit and train competent, highly motivated employees. In addition, employers must also consider what they need to do to retain talented employees who add value to the company. Employee benefits therefore play a critical role in the well-being of employees and their families, as well as employers.

This course examines the different types of benefits that employers may decide to offer, including group life insurance, group health insurance, group disability coverage, voluntary benefits, and executive benefits, as well as qualified and nonqualified retirement plans. A chapter is devoted to the role of financial advisors and producers in educating clients and identifying the various types of insurance programs that meet clients' needs.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• explain the basic characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of group life insurance
• understand the principal types of group health insurance
• compare group short-term and long-term disability coverage
• identify the principal types of voluntary employee benefits available in the marketplace
• understand why employers might offer nonqualified plans such as split dollar insurance, group carve-out plans, executive bonus plans, and selective executive retirement plans (SERPs)
• identify the employee and employer benefits normally associated with qualified retirement plans
• describe the role of the financial advisor in helping employers implement appropriate employee benefit plan solutions

Life and health insurance producers; financial planners and advisors