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The questions our clients bring us most, answered.
Every answer here started as a real client question. Names and figures are changed; the method isn't. If you're dealing with it, you're probably not the first, and it's usually solvable.
Why does a 10% renewal feel like 27% to employees?
The group increase and an employee's paycheck increase are different numbers. Why they differ, how to prepare for open enrollment questions, and why your renewal is a compensation decision.
How is a small group health insurance premium calculated?
Your census builds your premium, one covered person at a time. The two documents you need, how to compare plans like for like, and why total premium comes before contributions.
How do age-banded health insurance rates work for small groups?
In small group health insurance, every employee and dependent can pay a different rate for the same plan, set by age and rating area. How it works, with a worked household example.
What should you know before a PEO sales demo?
Three mistakes founders make before a PEO demo, and the comparison most skip: a PEO quote against the small group market, a level-funded plan and an HRIS-led setup.
At what employee count should you leave a PEO?
There's no magic headcount. Complexity decides it: states, hiring speed, benefits customization, workers' comp needs and management overhead. The five questions to ask instead.
What does a PEO actually do, and what doesn't it do?
A PEO gives you HR infrastructure: payroll, benefits, workers' comp and compliance in one place. It doesn't own the decisions inside your company. Here's the line between the two.
Rippling or Gusto for a company our size?
Start with states, reporting and who will own the system, not the demo.
What happens if 401(k) contributions weren't deposited on time?
Reconcile payroll against the recordkeeper, find every gap, then correct it with your TPA.
Why did our health insurance renewal go up so much?
Trend, who's enrolled, plan changes and sometimes claims. Here's how to judge yours.
What HR do you need before your first hire?
Six things, in order, before day one.
Should we stay on a PEO or build our own HR setup?
There's no universal headcount. Compare the full cost, service and control.
No match yet. Ask it on a free call; useful questions often become new answers here.
Please don't include names, health details or other personal information in a search or question.
These are practical operating answers, not legal or tax advice. Where your state, plan documents or specific facts matter, the answer says so.
Not sure what you need? Good. That's where we come in.
Most companies come to us knowing something isn't working, not knowing which service to buy. We'll help you figure it out first.