By Andrew Dalton · Omaha, NE

THE BENEFITS BRIEF

Employers face a critical period of budgeting and open enrollment

Why this exists

I read more benefits, HR, and workplace-health news than any one person should. So I built this — a single place to keep everything I'm reading and learning through the week, instead of letting the good stuff disappear into a hundred open tabs.

Every Friday I pull together the handful of stories that actually matter, explain why in plain English, and drop in every link I vetted along the way so you can go deeper wherever it's relevant to you. And because I want to keep you in the loop on everything happening at USI, I keep the upcoming webinars and events right here too.

This Week

A short Friday read — the hardest-hitting stories across Money, Body, Mind, and Nebraska policy, in plain English with why each one matters.

Every Link

Everything I read and vetted through the week, gathered at the bottom of each issue so you can dig into whatever's relevant to you.

Webinars & Events

The upcoming USI webinars, compliance sessions, and local Omaha events worth a spot on your calendar.

Free weekly newsletter

Get the Brief every Friday

One short email. The week's biggest stories in employee benefits, HR, and workplace health — in plain English, with why each one matters. Plus every link and the webinars worth your time.

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Weekly Issues

Webinars & Events

Employer Solutions Webinar · Compliance
Employer Solutions Webinar Series

The Frightful Four: Top Four Compliance Issues for Health and Welfare Employee Benefits

Some compliance issues matter more than others. We've compiled the top four concerns for the average employer.

  1. The troubling words of plan documents
  2. The daunting nature of ACA eligibility
  3. The distressing identification of qualifying events
  4. The formidable application of COBRA
DateAugust 20
Time10 AM – 12 PM CT
CostComplimentary
Register Now
Special Celebration Event · Omaha

A Night to Celebrate HR

Held during HR Nebraska, right after the Wednesday sessions. Roll out the red carpet — an evening honoring the HR professionals who keep our workplaces running, with recognition, connection, and celebration alongside your peers and the USI team. Co-hosted with Paylocity & The McKenny Group.

DateAugust 26
Time5:30 – 7:30 PM · Houston's Lounge
CostSpace is limited
RSVP Now
Live Webinar · with ParetoHealth

Group Medical Captives: A Smarter Approach to Managing Healthcare Costs

Join USI and ParetoHealth for an educational webinar exploring how group medical captives can help organizations gain greater control over healthcare costs, improve financial predictability, and access innovative cost-management strategies.

DateAugust 27
Time12 PM ET
CostComplimentary
Register Now
Employee Benefits Webinar

Captives 101: Transform Your Benefits Strategy

Discover how Captives can reduce costs and strengthen your benefits program. We'll walk through the types and structures of Captives, the financial considerations, and the overall value proposition.

  1. Types & structures of Captives
  2. Financial considerations
  3. Building an efficient benefits program
DateSeptember 2
Time10 AM CT
CostComplimentary
Register Now
Employer Solutions Webinar · FMLA
Employer Solutions Webinar Series

Forgive My Last Absence — Complying with the FMLA

The FMLA provides an absolute leave right that doesn't consider employer hardship — yet many employers miscount FMLA time, document leaves improperly, and stumble on returning employees to work.

  1. Leave scenarios covered by the FMLA
  2. Properly documenting covered leaves
  3. Dealing with intermittent leaves
  4. Insurance, PTO & STD issues
DateSeptember 8
Time10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
CostComplimentary
Register Now