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Group Insurance for employees
Online or by phone a licensed AIS professional can help!
Small business owners know that offering their employees a high-quality health insurance coverage is a competitive advantage in today's labor market. Providing health insurance to employees helps you recruit and retain the best talent. It also helps keep your employees healthier, happier and more productive.
Online or by phone a licensed AIS professional can help!
For over twenty years, trust and service have been the foundation of Advocate Insurance Services (AIS). We focus on serving companies and individuals who need unique solutions in employee benefits.
When you choose AIS, you are eligible for a full suite of integrated business and HR services. In essence AIS partners with you as your back office specialists with access to Human Resource Specialists, Payroll Companies and MORE! It is all part of the INTEGRATED SERVICES that we offer our clients as their Benefits Specialist!
AIS is appointed with all major insurance carriers to compare and share all of the information you need to make the best choice for your employee benefits.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Accident and Critical Illness, Travel
Additionally, there are various tax incentives available to you and your employees when you participate in a group health insurance plan.
Additionally, there are various tax incentives available to you and your employees when you participate in a group health insurance plan.
• What are the benefits of providing group health insurance to my employees?
It's no secret that employees value health insurance benefits. Surveys have shown that workers value health insurance coverage second only to monetary compensation. By offering group health insurance benefits to your employees, it is easier to hire and retain the best workers for your company.
As a business owner, you may not have health insurance coverage yourself. Perhaps you've considered shopping for an individual health insurance plan for yourself and your family, but did you know that by obtaining insurance through a company, you may get better rates than through the individual market? Many things have changed since the 2010 rulings of the Affordable Care Act but small group prices are still more affordable to your employees than an individual policy. (AIS agents are exchange certified to assist with subsidy eligible individuals when necessary).
Additionally, there are various tax incentives available to you and your employees when you participate in a group health insurance plan. For example, businesses can generally deduct 100% of the premiums they pay on qualifying group health plans and, by offering group health insurance as part of a total compensation package, you may be able to reduce payroll taxes. Plus, your employees can pay their portion of the monthly insurance premium with pre-tax dollars. Make sure that you take these incentives into consideration when determining the affordability of a health insurance plan for you and your employees.
As a business owner, you may not have health insurance coverage yourself. Perhaps you've considered shopping for an individual health insurance plan for yourself and your family, but did you know that by obtaining insurance through a company, you may get better rates than through the individual market? Many things have changed since the 2010 rulings of the Affordable Care Act but small group prices are still more affordable to your employees than an individual policy. (AIS agents are exchange certified to assist with subsidy eligible individuals when necessary).
Additionally, there are various tax incentives available to you and your employees when you participate in a group health insurance plan. For example, businesses can generally deduct 100% of the premiums they pay on qualifying group health plans and, by offering group health insurance as part of a total compensation package, you may be able to reduce payroll taxes. Plus, your employees can pay their portion of the monthly insurance premium with pre-tax dollars. Make sure that you take these incentives into consideration when determining the affordability of a health insurance plan for you and your employees.
• Does working with AIS cost me anything?
The assistance finding and securing your group coverage offered by AIS is provided at no extra cost to you, the consumer. If you choose AIS as your agent, you'll pay the regular monthly premium to the health insurance company you chose, but you'll pay nothing to us. Our fees are paid by the insurance companies in the form of commissions as is true for all carriers and licensed agents across the US. That is why you cannot get a lower price based on the agent you use, and that is guaranteed by the laws regulating insurance costs and carriers. Guaranteed!
How do I know if my company qualifies for group health insurance? Your company will probably be eligible for a small business plan if it meets the following criteria:
1. Your company consists of at least one full-time employee with W-2 earnings, as verified by officially-filed state quarterly wage and tax statements (i.e., DE-6) or annual federal tax return documents;
2. Your company is a legitimate business entity (i.e., your company was formed for a purpose other than to obtain insurance), as verified by one of the following documents:
• A business license or fictitious name filing (proprietorships and partnerships);
• Articles of incorporation (corporations); or
• Articles of organization (limited liability company).
3. Your company meets the minimum employer contribution percentage set by the insurance company.
Please note that eligibility criteria may vary among insurance companies. If you have any questions about your company's eligibility for a particular small business plan, please call 800.243.7436.
How do I know if my company qualifies for group health insurance? Your company will probably be eligible for a small business plan if it meets the following criteria:
1. Your company consists of at least one full-time employee with W-2 earnings, as verified by officially-filed state quarterly wage and tax statements (i.e., DE-6) or annual federal tax return documents;
2. Your company is a legitimate business entity (i.e., your company was formed for a purpose other than to obtain insurance), as verified by one of the following documents:
• A business license or fictitious name filing (proprietorships and partnerships);
• Articles of incorporation (corporations); or
• Articles of organization (limited liability company).
3. Your company meets the minimum employer contribution percentage set by the insurance company.
Please note that eligibility criteria may vary among insurance companies. If you have any questions about your company's eligibility for a particular small business plan, please call 800.243.7436.
• Is a tax credit right for your business?
As a small business owner, you have been eligible for tax credits since 2010. Starting in 2014, the maximum tax credit is available for a total of two consecutive years. Generally, businesses with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and wages averaging less than $25,000 a year will qualify for the highest credits.
To qualify for a tax credit, employers must pay at least 50 percent of employee premium costs.
To qualify for a tax credit, employers must pay at least 50 percent of employee premium costs.
| Small Business Tax Credit Examples | Beauty Shop with 10 Employees | Beauty Shop with 10 Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Main Street Hair | Downtown Cafe |
| Employees | 10 full-time equivalent employees | 40 half-time employees (equivalent to 20 full-time workers) |
| Wages; | $250,000 total, or an average of $25,000 per employee | $500,000 total, an average of $25,000 per full-time equivalent worker |
| Employee Health Insurance Cost | $70,0000= | $24000 |
| 2013 Tax Credit | $24,500 (35%) | $28,000 (35%) |
| 2014 Tax Credit | $35,000 (50%) | $40,000 (50%) |
