The Saxon Advisor - May 2020

Compliance Check

what you need to know


Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement (EACA). For failed ADP/ACP tests, corrective distributions must be made towards participants within 6 months after the plan year ends – June 30, 2020.

SF HSCO Expenditures. The last day to submit SF HSCO expenditures, if applicable*, for Q2 is July 30, 2020. *Applicable for employers with 20+ employees doing business in SF and Non-Profits with 50+ employees.

Form 5500 and Form 5558. The deadline for the 2019 plan year’s Form 5500 and Form 5558 is July 31, 2020 (unless otherwise extended by Form 5558 or automatically with an extended corporate income tax return).

Form 8955-SSA. Unless extended by Form 5558, Form 8955-SSA and the terminated vested participant statements for the plan year of 2019 are due July 31, 2020.

Form 5558. Unless there is an automatic extension due to corporate income tax returns, a single Form 5558 and 8955-SSA is due by 2½ months for the 2019 plan year.

Form 5330. For failed ADP/ACP tests regarding excise tax, Form 5330 must be filed by July 31, 2020.

401(k) Plans. For ADP/ACP testing, the recommended Interim is due August 1, 2020.

In this Issue

  • Upcoming Compliance Deadlines:
    • Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement (EACA)
    • The deadline for the 2019 plan year’s Form 5500 and Form 5558 is July 31, 2020.
  • Providing an HSA, FSA, or HRA Health Plan for your Employees
  • Fresh Brew Featuring Lexi Kofron
  • This month’s Saxon U: How To Legally Work With Gig And Contract Workers
  • #CommunityStrong: Families Forward Donation Drive

How To Legally Work With Gig And Contract Workers

Join us for this interactive and educational Saxon U seminar with Pandy Pridemore, The Human Resources USA, LLC, as we discuss how to legally work with Gig and Contract Workers.

Providing an HSA, FSA, or HRA Health Plan for your Employees

Bringing the knowledge of our in-house advisors right to you...


When open enrollment hits annually, it is not uncommon for employers to feel exasperated when staring down a list of acronyms such as HSA, FSA and HRA. As it should go without saying, the most common first thought is, “What does any of this mean?” Even the most seasoned experts have difficulty with understanding the complexities of various care options.

““It is your account; yours if you leave the employer and can contribute as long as you have an HDHP and can use the funds until they are gone, even if you are no longer in an HDHP.” said Kelley Bell, a Group Health Benefits Consultant at Saxon Financial.

Advice from Kelley

Fresh Brew Featuring Lexi Kofron

"Stay calm and collected on phone calls, and stay organized!"


This month’s Fresh Brew features Lexi Kofron, a Client Service Specialist at Saxon.

Lexi’s favorite brew is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Her favorite local spot to grab his favorite brew is at Starbucks

Scott’s favorite snack to enjoy is Pretzels and Hummus.

Learn More About Lexi

This Month's #CommunityStrong:
Families Forward Donation Drive

This May the Saxon family donated a bunch of household items and outdoor activities to Families Forward. Their staff goes out each week in masks and gloves to hand out these donations to the families in need through their program. Here are some pictures they provided when they passed out the donations and our trunk load of donations!

Are you prepared for retirement?

Saxon creates strategies that are built around you and your vision for the future. The key is to take the first step of reaching out to a professional and then let us guide you along the path to a confident future.

Monthly compliance alerts, educational articles and events
- courtesy of Saxon Financial Advisors.


The Saxon Advisor - April 2020

Compliance Check

Easy to Digest, Monthly Need-to-Knows

The Current 30

APRIL 1: Required Minimum Distribution. Deadline to take first RMD for terminated participants following attainment of age 70 1/2 or retiring after 70 1/2 in prior calendar year.

APRIL 1: Form 1099-R. Deadline for employers to file electronically with the IRS.

APRIL 15: Excess Contribution Refunds (Over IRS Limit). Deadline to return excess retirement plan deferrals for the previous plan year.

APRIL 30: Annual Audit TimeFor large 5500 filers, it is time to select an auditor and schedule your annual audit.


A Look Forward

MAY 15: Participant-Directed Plans. Benefit Statements for participant-directed plans and Participant Fee Disclosures are due.

JUNE 30: Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement (EACA). Corrective distributions for failed ADP/ACP tests must be made within 6 months after the Plan Year end.

JULY 31: Form 5500 and Form 5558. The deadline for the 2019 plan year’s Form 5500 and Form 5558 (5500 filing extension to October 15th).

JULY 31: Form 8955-SSA. Deadline to file Form 8955-SSA and the terminated vested participant statements for the plan year of 2019 (unless extended by Form 5558).

JULY 31: Form 5330. Deadline to file for excise tax on failed ADP/ACP test.

In this Issue

How to Legally Work With Gig and Contract Workers

Join our May Saxon University as Pandy Pridemore discusses how to legally work with Gig and Contract Workers

What You Need to Know: The SECURE Act

Bringing the knowledge of our in-house advisors right to you...


In December of 2019, President Donald Trump passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act or SECURE Act. Some of the Act aims at making it easier for small business owners to create more affordable and easier to administer retirement plans.

“There is a lot of hype in the government and media about how the SECURE Act will make it cheaper to sponsor a plan. I don’t know if recordkeepers could lower their annual costs any more than they have over the last 8 or 9 years; but it definitely will provide lower start-up costs through the tax credits, and make it easier to administer plans if utilizing a Safe Harbor approach or a PEP.”

Advice from Todd

Fresh Brew Featuring Olivia Childs

"Be sure to do the follow-up after a conversation!"


Olivia Childs is a Saxon Senior Solutions Specialist whose favorite catchphrase is, “We rise by lifting others,” by Eleanor Roosevelt. We invite you take a moment to get to know Olivia!

Olivia’s favorite brew is Chai Tea Latte. She admits that enjoying her drink while relaxing at Half Day Cafe and snacking on an Everything Bagel is hard to beat!

Learn More About Olivia

This Month's #CommunityStrong:
Donation Drive for Families Forward

It's time to work together to help meet a top priority need of a valued community program and the families they serve.

Get Involved!

Are you taking a strategic approach to your financial big picture?

Saxon creates innovative strategies that will help you figure out how to get there, plan for the risks along the way, navigate complex tax code and understand the steps you need to take to protect and secure your future.

Monthly compliance alerts, educational articles and events
- courtesy of Saxon Financial Advisors.


Medicare 101: A Quick Guide For Employers

Medicare is a governmentfunded health insurance program for those aged 65 and above, those under 65 with certain disabilities, and those with End State Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Employers that offer group health insurance plans to their employees have an interest in learning how employees’ entitlement to Medicare benefits can affect the administration of those plans. We sat down to speak with Olivia Childs, a Senior Solutions Licensed Agent at Saxon Financial Services, to get some more information on Medicare for beginners.

When asked about the number one thing to keep in mind when trying to figure out your first steps with Medicare, Olivia commented, “Ask a licensed agent for assistance. Advertisements can be confusing, and everyone wants to make the right choice. Using my expertise, I take the fear out of the decision making, so my clients can make an informed decision concerning their healthcare.”

What are the different parts of Medicare?

  • Part A is hospital insurance that helps cover inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility care, inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care), hospice care, and home health care. Most U.S. citizens qualify for zero premium Medicare Part A upon attainment of age 65.
  • Part B is the actual ‘health’ coverage under Medicare. It helps cover physician visits, screenings and other aspects of out-patient medical care. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium to cover outpatient care which increases annually.
  • Part C is a Medicare Advantage Plan. This is a plan that offers all of the benefits of Parts A and B, sometimes with Part D, through a private health insurer.
  • Part D was established in 2003. Part D of the Medicare Program provides prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. This drug coverage may be available in a standalone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or integrated with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

What is Original Medicare?

With original Medicare, your coverage is through Parts A and B. Part A includes inpatient and/or hospital coverage, while Part B includes outpatient and/or medical coverage. Through this type of Medicare, you are provided a red, white and blue card to show your providers when receiving treatment. While most doctors take Original Medicare coverage, it is important to check whether your provider participates. If you visit one that does,
then your Medicare card will limit how much you can be charged.

Through Original Medicare, you are responsible for a 20% coinsurance if you see a participating provider and after meeting your deductible. Some basic, key things to know about Original Medicare include that:

  • For Medicare Supplement Insurance, you have the choice to pay an additional premium for a Medigap to cover Medicare cost-sharing.
  • You do not need referrals to see a specialist.
  • For drug coverage, you must sign up for a standalone prescription drug plan.
  • It does not cover vision, hearing, or dental services.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage are private plans that contract with the federal government to provide Medicare benefits. These plans are also known as Medicare private health plans or Part C. Some of the most common types of plans are:

  • Health maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
  • Preferred provider Organizations (PPOs)
  • Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS)

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will not use the red, white, and blue card when you go to the doctor or hospital. Instead, you will use the membership card your plan sends you to get health services covered. Plans must provide the same benefits offered by Original Medicare, but they may apply different rules, costs, and restrictions. They also may offer certain benefits that Medicare does not cover. Just like Original Medicare, there are some key items to be aware of:

  • Your cost-sharing varies depending on plan. Usually pay a copayment for in-network care. Plans may charge a monthly premium in addition to Part B premium.
  • You cannot enroll in a Medigap plan.
  • You can typically only see in-network providers.
  • You will also typically need a referral to see a specialist.
  • For drug coverage, in most cases, the plan provides prescription drug coverage (you may be required to pay higher premium).
  • It may cover additional services, including vision, hearing, and/or dental (additional benefits may increase your premium and/or other out-of-pocket costs).
  • You will have an annual out-of-pocket limit. Plan pays the full cost of your care after you reach the limit.

If you sign up for Original Medicare and later decide you would like to try a Medicare Advantage Plan–or vice versa–be aware that there are certain enrollment periods when you are allowed to make changes.

Employer Requirements

Employers are required to file annual Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Reporting and Employee-Notice Distribution letters even if one employee has coverage under Medicare Parts A, B, or C. Usually companies receive letters from their insurance companies asking for a Federal Tax Identification number and the group size of employees each year.

If your company has 19 or fewer full- and part-time employees, Medicare is almost always primary. Here, it is essential that employees turning 65 enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. If they do not, generally they will have to pay anything that Medicare would have covered. If your company is larger, various rules determine whether your group plan is the primary or secondary payer. MSP requirements also apply for Medicare-eligible employees who are disabled or have end-stage renal disease.

Once per year, written notice distribution is required to all Medicare-eligible employees. This must inform the employee whether the employer’s prescription drug coverage is ‘creditable’ or ‘noncreditable.’ Notice can be sent electronically, but it is often easier to distribute in written format. These need to be sent before October 31.

It is a good idea for employers to provide employees with written details about their employer-provided coverage, which will help them decide how to handle their Medicare choices.

How does it work with COBRA?

COBRA coverage is usually offered when leaving employment; if the employee has COBRA and Medicare coverage, Medicare is the primary payor. If an employee has Medicare Part A only, signs up for COBRA coverage and waits until the COBRA coverage ends to enroll in Medicare Part B, he or she will have to pay a Part B premium penalty.

Employees should be disenrolled in COBRA once they turn 65. A number of Medicare beneficiaries have delayed enrolling in Medicare Part B, thinking that because they are paying for continued health coverage under COBRA, they do not have to enroll in Medicare Part B. COBRA-qualified beneficiaries who have delayed enrollment in Medicare Part B do not qualify for a special enrollment period to enroll in Part B after COBRA coverage ends.

According to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the number of workers age 65 and older has increased dramatically since the late 1990s. With that trend expected to continue, companies have an excellent opportunity to assist employees in their health insurance decisions. Navigating the ever-changing Medicare rules can be tricky.

However, with the help of a qualified Medicare specialist, the process can be rewarding for the employer and employees.

Positioning for Long-Term Success

Offering Medicare coverage to your employees can be a daunting, confusing, and tiring task – especially when you go about it alone. While articles like this one can be helpful in understanding what Medicare is, the logistics of actually implementing it as a solution for your employees is a whole other story.

Saxon Financial Advisors creates strategies that are built around you and your vision for the future. The key is to take the first step of reaching out to a professional and then letting us guide you along the path to a confident future. We don’t stop at just a plan. We take the journey with you, reassessing your life situation, changing needs and goals and ensuring that your plan continues to meet your future needs in an ever-changing world. We offer several helpful services to businesses, just like yours, including:

  • Risk Management
  • Tax Planning
  • Education Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Business Planning

People are your most valued asset and our greatest reward. Our compassion for people drives us to operate differently, assessing the needs of the population alongside the vision and goals of your organization. At Saxon, we truly listen, engage, understand and advise solutions to help meet your overall company goals. Employee Benefits will have an impact on your organization from recruitment, retention and population wellness to productivity and your bottom line. To us, it isn’t the size of your organization that matters most, but rather the needs of the people within it.

For more information, contact Olivia Childs, a Senior Solutions Licensed Agent, at (513)904-5955 or ochilds@gosaxon.com.

About Your Advisor

Olivia Childs is a Senior Solutions Advisor at Saxon Financial. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Organizational Leadership. She was involved in the Human Resources department and a member of HR Succeeds, a mentor program with professionals and students. In her free time, Olivia volunteers at the Cincinnati Epilepsy Foundation. When it comes to helping her clients with Medicare, Olivia pointed out, “Healthcare is personal. I love being a resource for my clients to use to help them make the best decision concerning a Medicare plan.”

 

Not Connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.


The Saxon Advisor - March 2020

Compliance Check

what you need to know


Section 6055/6056 Reporting (Electronic Filing Deadline). Applicable large employers (ALEs) that sponsor self-insured health plans are required by Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056 to report information about the coverage to the IRS yearly. IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are used to report coverage information. March 31, 2020, is the deadline to submit these forms if employers are filing electronically.

COBRA General Notice. Employers who provide group health plans must provide a written General Notice of COBRA rights to all covered employees and spouses (if applicable). This notice must be provided 90 days after health plan coverage begins.

Summary Plan Description (SPD). Employers who offer group health plans that are subject to ERISA must provide Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) to employees who newly enrolled at the beginning of the plan year by March 31, 2020.

Form 1099-R (Electronic Filing Deadline). Employers must file Form 1099-R with the IRS by March 31, 2020, if they are filed electronically.

Form 5330 Excise Tax Return. The Form 5330 excise tax return and payment for excess 2018 ADP/ACP contributions are due March 31, 2020.

Excess Contribution Refunds (over IRS limit). April 15, 2020 is the deadline to return excess retirement plan contributions for elective deferrals exceeding the 402(g) limits.

In this Issue

  • Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
  • Paving the Road to a Successful Portfolio Featuring Brian Bushman
  • Upcoming Saxon U Webinar: Employee Navigator Workshop with Jake Meyer
  • Fresh Brew Featuring Jake Meyer
  • #CommunityStrong: American Heart Association Heart Mini Fundraising & School Donation Drive

Employee Navigator Workshop

Join us for this interactive and educational Saxon U webinar with Jake Meyer, Saxon Financial Services, as we walk you through certain aspects of Navigator and teach you how to use the most common features.

Paving the Road to a Successful Portfolio

Bringing the knowledge of our in-house advisors right to you...


Determining a proper asset allocation is an important first step in creating your portfolio and planning how it will grow in the future. Asset allocation is the process of diversifying your investments into different asset classes based on the investor’s time horizon, their goals and how much risk they can tolerate.

“People always ask me what they can invest in that will make them a lot of money without the chance of losing any,” said Brian Bushman, Saxon Financial Advisor.

Advice from Brian

Fresh Brew Featuring Jake Meyer

“Educate your employees about their benefits. The more they understand them, the more they will realize how big of a benefit they are.”


This month’s Fresh Brew features Jake Meyer, an Account Executive at Saxon.

Scott’s favorite brew is Rhinegeist Truth, a local Indian Pale Ale from the Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jake doesn’t have a particular snack that he eats when sipping on his favorite brew. He instead likes to enjoy the hops in his favorite IPA.

Learn More About Jake

This Month's #CommunityStrong:
American Heart Association Heart Mini Fundraising

This March, the Saxon team and their families teamed up to raise money for the American Heart Association Heart Mini!

Do you have a strategic approach to the totality of your financial picture?

Saxon creates innovative strategies that will help you figure out how to get there, plan for the risks along the way, navigate complex tax code and understand the steps you need to take to protect and secure your future.

Monthly compliance alerts, educational articles and events
- courtesy of Saxon Financial Advisors.


The Saxon Advisor - February 2020

Compliance Check

what you need to know


Section 6055/6056 Reporting. Employers must file Forms 1094-B and 1095-B, and Forms 1094-C and 1095-C with the IRS by February 28, 2020 if they are filed on paper.

Form 1099-R Paper Filing. Employers must file Form 1099-R with the IRS by February 28, 2020 if they are filed on paper.

CMS Medicare Part D Disclosure. Employers that provide prescription drug coverage must disclose to the CMS whether the plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable.

Summary of Material Modifications Distribution. Employers who offer a group health plan that is subject to ERISA must distribute a SMM for plan changes that were adopted at the beginning of the year that are material reductions in plan benefits or services.

Section 6055/6056 Individual Statements (2019 EXTENDED DEADLINE). Applicable large employers (ALEs) that sponsor self-insured health plans must disclose information about plan coverage to covered employees each year. This deadline was extended from January 31, 2020, to March 2, 2020, this year by the IRS.

ADP/ACP Refunds. Corrective refunds for a failed ADP/ACP test must be made by March 15, 2020, to avoid 10 percent excise tax penalties.

Section 6055/6056 Reporting (Electronic Filing Deadline). Applicable large employers (ALEs) that sponsor self-insured health plans are required by Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056 to report information about the coverage to the IRS yearly. IRS Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are used to report coverage information. March 31, 2020, is the deadline to submit these forms if employers are filing electronically.

COBRA General Notice. Employers who provide group health plans must provide a written General Notice of COBRA rights to all covered employees and spouses (if applicable). This notice must be provided 90 days after health plan coverage begins.

Summary Plan Description (SPD). Employers who offer group health plans that are subject to ERISA must provide Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) to employees who newly enrolled at the beginning of the plan year.

Form 1099-R (Electronic Filing Deadline). Employers must file Form 1099-R with the IRS by March 31, 2020, if they are filed electronically.

Form 5330. The Form 5330 excise tax return and payment for excess 2018 ADP/ACP contributions are due March 31, 2020.

In this Issue

  • Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
  • How to Speak to Your Employees About Their Intimidating Benefits – Featuring Jamie Charlton
  • Fresh Brew Featuring Nat Gustafson
  • This month’s Saxon U: What Employers Should Know About the SECURE Act
  • March’s Saxon U: Saxon’s Humana GO365 Annual Wellness Clinic
  • #CommunityStrong: American Heart Association Heart Mini Fundraising

What Employers Should Know About the SECURE Act

Join us for this interactive and educational Saxon U seminar with Todd Yawit, Director of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans at Saxon Financial Services, as we discuss what the SECURE Act is and how it impacts your employer-sponsored retirement plan.

How to Speak to Your Employees About Their Intimidating Benefits

Bringing the knowledge of our in-house advisors right to you...


Employers spend thousands annually to secure and offer benefits to their employees. However, a small amount of time and money are devoted to ensuring employees understand and appreciate their benefits. Properly communicating – what you say, how you say it and to whom you say it to – can make a tremendous difference in how employees think, feel and react to their benefits, employer and fellow co-workers.

In this installment of CenterStage, Jamie Charlton, founding partner and CEO of Saxon Financial Services, discusses the importance of offering sound education of benefits to employees, as well as how to effectively communicate their benefits in a clear, concise manner.

Advice from Jamie

Fresh Brew Featuring Nat Gustafson

“Always be prepared.”


This month’s Fresh Brew features Nat Gustafson, an Account Manager at Saxon.

In his free time, Nat enjoys snowboarding. When thinking about his greatest adventure, he remembers traveling around Italy. He lives by the catchphrase of, “Roll up your sleeves.”

Nat’s favorite brew is Rhinegeist Truth. His favorite local spot to grab his favorite brew is Mount Lookout Tavern on Linwood Avenue.

Nat’s favorite snack to enjoy with his brew is Chicken wings.

Learn More About Nat

This Month's #CommunityStrong:
American Heart Association Heart Mini Fundraising

This January, February & March, the Saxon team and their families will be teaming up to raise money for the American Heart Association Heart Mini!

Saxon’s Humana GO365 Annual Wellness Clinic

Learn what Go365 is, how it works, how to create engaged employees and how to maximize the 15% wellness incentive credit from the program.

Monthly compliance alerts, educational articles and events
- courtesy of Saxon Financial Advisors.


Paving the Road to a Successful Portfolio

Determining a proper asset allocation is an important first step in creating your portfolio and planning how it will grow in the future. Asset allocation is the process of diversifying your investments into different asset classes based on the investor’s time horizon, their goals and how much risk they can tolerate.

“People always ask me what they can invest in that will make them a lot of money without the chance of losing any,” said Brian Bushman, Saxon Financial Advisor.

“I tell them that this simply doesn’t exist. But I can, however, help them design an optimized portfolio based on their risk tolerance and what they are trying to accomplish.”

Whether you’re just beginning to save for retirement or you’re much further down the road with more substantial savings, asset allocation is the result of understanding your comfort with risk and how to best diversify your investments to accomplish your goals.

The key to asset allocation is diversification. This allows an investor to take advantage of investing in many different opportunities which can reduce their overall risk.

Assets can be allocated either strategically or tactically. A strategic plan sets a target allocation and consistently rebalances that allocation back to the original percentages while a tactical plan focuses on adjusting the portfolio based on current economic conditions and opportunities in order to produce a better risk adjusted return. Brian and the investment team at Saxon bring a hybrid approach to designing and managing their investor’s portfolios.

Many investors only consider the returns on their investments, but it is very important to assess the level of risk a portfolio is taking to achieve that return. Saxon’s approach is to optimize this risk vs. return ratio.

It is also important for investors to understand there are different types of risk. Most associate risk with investment risk which is the risk of losing money.

However, there are many other risk factors to consider. Inflationary risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, taxability risk, currency risk and legislative/political risk are other types of risks that need to be considered when developing a portfolio.

Below are the three main factors needed in designing a suitable portfolio for the client.

3 Factors in Designing a Suitable Portfolio

1. Time Horizon

The amount of time that you have to reach your goals should directly impact the level of risk you are willing to take. When you’re young you have much more time to recover from any losses that could be incurred from a drop in the market, but as retirement approaches you have less time to recover from market losses.

The closer you get to retirement, the more you should consider reducing your risk level. Once you retire and need income from your investments you may need to redesign your portfolio from an accumulation portfolio to an income portfolio.

2. Risk Tolerance

Typically, investments that have the potential to generate higher returns are riskier. This is where the idea of risk tolerance comes in. This refers to the amount of volatility an investor can tolerate.

If your risk tolerance is low, then you will likely earn a lower return. To compensate for a lower anticipated return, it is important to evaluate the amount you are investing and possibly adjust your timeline accordingly to reach your goals. Usually gauged by a questionnaire, risk tolerance is often used to categorize investors as aggressive, moderate or conservative.

3. Goals

Each person’s goals are different, whether you are working towards a long-term goal of retirement or a short-term goal, you should consider these goals in your asset allocation plan.

One person’s ideal asset mix could be completely wrong for someone else. Outside of setting financial goals and an ideal retirement goal, it is important to set a goal to adjust investments as you age.

“There is no crystal ball that provides insight on how to best allocate assets. It’s a process that begins with an initial risk assessment, diversifying your investments and continually monitoring the progress of your portfolio,” said Brian Bushman, Saxon Financial Advisor.

How Saxon Helps

A Saxon investment advisor can provide guidance through the process of creating a well-balanced portfolio.

For more, contact Brian Bushman today at (513) 333-3901 or bbushman@gosaxon.com.


Providing an HSA, FSA, or HRA Health Plan for your Employees

When open enrollment hits annually, it is not uncommon for employers to feel exasperated when staring down a list of acronyms such as HSA, FSA and HRA. As it should go without saying, the most common first thought is, “What does any of this mean?” Even the most seasoned experts have difficulty with understanding the complexities of various care options. That’s why in this installment of CenterStage, Kelley Bell, a Group Health Benefits Consultant at Saxon Financial, is here to break down the ‘alphabet soup’ that is HSAs, FSAs and HRAs.

What Is an HSA?

An HSA stands for a Health Savings Account. Kelley stated that HSAs work in conjunction with your existing HDHP plan (given you already have one) to cover costs associated with eligible medical, dental and vision expenses. Available to open just like a bank savings account, Kelley said, “It is your account; yours if you leave the employer and can contribute as long as you have an HDHP and can use the funds until they are gone, even if you are no longer in an HDHP.” For most, this applies to retirement. If you are reasonably healthy throughout your working life, Kelley said you can carry a large HSA balance into retirement. At that point, the funds can be used to cover the out-of-pocket medical costs that often increase with you as you age.

In addition to all the above, certain tax advantages exist within an HSA plan:

  • Contributions are excluded from federal income tax.
  • Interest earned is tax referable.
  • Withdrawals for eligible expenses are exempt from federal income tax.

HSAs are typically available through employers, but individuals can establish one, as well. Many banks offer HSA programs for their customers, meaning if your employer does not offer the benefit, you can create an HSA account there.

What Is an FSA?

An FSA is a Flexible Savings Account. Much like an HSA, these plans cover the payment of medical, dental and vision-related expenses, and contributions you make to the plan are tax-deductible. Similarly, when you open an FSA account, you’re typically provided with a debit card or checkbook, so the funds can be accessed in the account. However, Kelley stated an FSA plan has a catch: “An FSA cannot roll over unused funds from year to year and is not portable.” Therefore, any contributions made to the plan that have not been spent by the end of the year are forfeited.

Some employers, as Kelley noted, do have options that will help you avoid complete forfeiture of unused funds. Certain employers allow their employees to carry over up to $500 of unused funds into the following year, while others will extend the use of the funds for up to two and a half months into the new year. Employers generally will offer one or the other, but never both. Some, however, offer no such option at all.

Kelley mentioned general purpose FSA coverage, and stated it can “make you ineligible for HSA contributions.” She continued to add that certain types will not prevent HSA eligibility, i.e. limited FSA for vision, dental, parking or “post-deductible FSA” which reimburses you for preventative care or for medical expenses that are incurred “after the minimum annual HDHP deductible has been met.” As a result of forfeiting any unused funds in the account, an FSA is best used by someone who has ongoing and predictable medical expenses. In this situation, it is likely you will deplete the funds in the account, whereas if you are considered healthy and have limited medical expenses (i.e. minor illness, sinus infection), the potential for forfeiture is high, and you may have to forgo the account. FSAs are employer-sponsored and typically are an option as part of a ‘cafeteria plan’.

What Is an HRA?

An HRA is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Like the other plans described in this article, an HRA is a tax-free employer funded amount of money for healthcare expenses. Contributions, as Kelley explained, “can be excluded from gross income, meaning that won’t pay taxes on that money and reimbursements from the HRA are tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses.” Depending upon the type of HRA, unused funds may or may not be rolled over from one year to the next. However, employers may also allow employees to use their HRA funds even into their retirement.

The benefits of an HRA take action after the employee has met a specific portion (i.e. employee meets 1st $2500 of a $5000 deductible), making it easier for the employee to meet their high deductible. HRAs are good for employers who want more control over how their medical dollars are put to use. Naturally, if the employer is paying the cost of the HRA, it can be of an increased advantage than contributory health insurance premiums and direct payment for out-of-pocket expenses. With an HRA, the employer determines the reimbursements and does not have to contribute the same amount for all employee groups (i.e. tiers of employee coverage, employee/child, employee/spouse and family).

How Saxon Helps

It is important to understand the needs of every client and educate their employees on how to use their healthcare. Saxon values client education and service above all else. We make educating employees a priority and ensure their benefits are understood and easy to use. Saxon represents all of the major carriers, allowing us to secure the best plans and rates for you and your staff, which we review annually.

If you are considering offering an HSA, FSA or HRA insurance plan to your employees, contact Kelley Bell today at (937) 672-1547 or kbell@gosaxon.com to begin exploring the benefits of adding this superior level of coverage today.


Association Health Plans & Their Benefits

Many individuals do not understand various insurance terms and the plans available to them. Most employers have a hard time trying to find the best and the most affordable coverage for their employees. It is important you find an insurance company or agent that can break it down for you to get the best coverage.

We asked our founding partner and CEO, Jamie Charlton, to shed some light on Association Health Plans (AHPs) and also give their advantages and disadvantages.

What is an AHP, and How Does it Work?

According to Charlton, AHP or Association Health Plans are a conglomeration of smaller groups that come under the guise of a larger umbrella to leverage bulk buying power. They might not be small companies per se, but are those that come together under one industry or from the same geographic area to strengthen their negotiating power. They can be a group of manufacturers, printers or self-employed individuals from the same jurisdiction. An example of such an association is the Chamber Alliance.

Ideally, small businesses, including self-employed individuals in the same industry or geographic location, can merge to form larger groups to get healthcare plans as one large group. Coalitions are more or less the same as these associations, only that coalitions are groups made up of non-profit institutions such as schools. Associations are mostly businesses or organizations aimed at making profits.

AHP Expansion

United States (US) President, Donald Trump, issued an executive order to promote healthcare coverage in the US on October 12, 2017. The order aims at expanding access to small businesses to get the same competitive advantage as large corporations when purchasing health insurance. This order was meant to provide more affordable health insurance plans to as many individuals as possible. These individuals include farmers, wage earners and employees of any small business in the US.

Charlton has a slightly different view of this expansion. Though it has helped a few individuals, the expansion does not present any advantage as the rates keep going higher with age. He explained, “AHPs don’t have an advantage in the long run, unless they have a long-term sponsor.” AHPs have always been in existence, and the expansion is just political rhetoric that will give the plans some credibility.

Advantages of an AHP to Smaller Employers

There are some advantages that come with AHPs, both to the employer and the employees. These include:

  • Negotiating power
  • Spreading the risk
  • Maintaining lower rates instead of lumping them into unverified age groups
  • No charging different premiums to employees based on health status
  • No charging different rates to employers based on the health status of their employees
  • Healthy, younger groups will be fully underwritten
  • Self-employed individuals with a few employees and those with no employees are also eligible
  • Will not cherry pick or discriminate based on the status of an applicant pre-existing or previous health condition.

There are also some disadvantages. They include:

  • Many of these plans might not allow single person groups.
  • An individual must be a bona-fide member of a group and pay a membership fee.

The Role Saxon Plays in Helping the Employer

Saxon prides itself as a top provider of AHPs. The company has experts with knowledge of how this system works. Writing these plans for the last four years, Saxon can offer stable rates and consistent, professional assistance.

For more information regarding employee benefits and competitive benefits packages that fit your business strategy, you can contact Jamie Charlton at 513-573-0129 or via email at jcharlton@gosaxon.com.


Finding the Hidden Benefits within your Offered Health Insurance Plan

Benefits packages offered by employers are just one of the many elements an employee considers when joining, remaining at or leaving a company. Striking the right balance of what employees want and what your business has to offer will allow for a return on investment. In this installment of CenterStage, Kelley Bell, a Group Health Benefits Consultant at Saxon Financial, explains how to unlock and bring forth benefits often overlooked by employers and employees.

The Reason for Employee Benefits

Employers of all sizes within the United States aim to offer attractive health insurance benefits that will both attract prospective employees and retain those talented individuals who are currently employed. Aside from looking to earn money to put food on the table, pay bills and set aside for later, people seek employment for assistance in alleviating the burden of having to pay for insurance plans singlehandedly. Thus, they plan where they will work and for how long they will work based on what your company has to offer.

When looking at benefits plans, most people assume the usual: a comprehensive health plan that assists in providing medical insurance and reduces pharmacy costs. However, a benefits package you receive from an employer today is no longer your parents’ benefits package. Just as trends in fashion and pop culture come and go, so should the benefits within an employer’s plan.

It is unique offerings that attract potential employees and retain current ones. Additionally, it is in the hands of employers to offer methods to achieve and shift culture in a positive way by offering necessary methods to do so. Employee benefits packages today are shaped to fit the needs of the employees.

As the nation’s health has declined, an uptick in the popularity in offering benefits such as discounted or free gym memberships has become a major plus. How are employees to be aware of the perks of employment with your business? They need to be properly educated about their plans. Kelley explained, “Employers must take time to educate employees as they are their most valuable asset.”

Benefits That Get Overlooked

Every employer, no matter how big or small, has something to offer. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, Kelley has seen and heard it all from employers with whom she partners with in selecting benefits for their employees. “I’ve heard people say they have a horrible plan but in reality, it is not a horrible plan, they don’t understand it or how to use it.” When investing in an ‘add-on’ benefit, there is typically a large sum injected into a new initiative, but the results are often short-lived, a short spark of novelty. The benefits that carry stamina are usually those that hold tremendous value in both a sense of time and money. Kelley continued, “Some of the embedded benefits in their existing plans will help save them money, become a wise consumer and ultimately choose to live a healthier lifestyle.”

What are some examples of benefits that fly under the radar of employers and their employees?

  • Telemedicine medical services. Telemedicine is a fantastic way to recover and receive treatment for an illness or injury from the comfort and convenience of their car, work or home rather than in a doctor’s office.
  • Wellness initiatives are another fantastic offering which is simply implementing a wellness committee dedicated to the well-being of your employees.
  • Saxon offers a free portal with wellness information available to clients. Becoming a member includes receiving newsletters, email blasts, wellness information and challenges your business can utilize.
  • Consumers of healthcare have historically been conscious purchasers. Within your plan, check for the ability to leverage multiple doctors and pharmacies to find the most cost-effective option for each employee. Medical offices inside pharmacy’s, or retail outlets, as well as Urgent cares, have seen increased rates of attention simply for their competitive prices as opposed to a traditional hospital.
  • Employers looking for additional ways to offer savings for employees on their prescription medications can turn to mobile apps such as GoodRx which offers money-saving coupons for medications.
  • Online wellness tools allow you to view claims, ID cards, locate doctors, browse medications and estimate costs. Many of the plans have teams to help people who are pregnant, want to stop smoking, lose weight or have specific health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc.”

How Saxon Helps

Kelley understands every business is unique and is dedicated to proactively serving the needs of each client. At Saxon, Kelley and our team of advisors begin by engaging experts that truly listen, building successful strategies that stay focused on your vision and goals.

Saxon exists to care, cultivate and empower through relationships, expertise and exceptional standards of service. Saxon’s WIN team is always available at your convenience to unlock the benefits you did not know you had in order to excel your organizational efforts upward.

To begin the conversation about putting your overlooked benefits into action, contact Kelley Bell today at (513) 774-5493 or (937) 672-1547 or via email at kbell@gosaxon.com.