At Bay & Associates, we understand that comprehensive group benefits are essential to attracting and retaining top talent while protecting your organization's most valuable asset - your people. Our dedicated team brings a unique financial planning perspective to group benefits design, ensuring your benefits package aligns with both your organizational goals and your employees' financial wellness.
Why Choose Our Financial Planning Approach to Group Benefits
Unlike traditional benefits brokers, we view your group benefits through a comprehensive financial planning lens. This means we:
- Analyze how benefits decisions impact your organization's cash flow and long-term financial health
- Design benefits packages that complement your employees' personal financial planning needs
- Coordinate group benefits with executive compensation and retirement planning strategies
- Provide ongoing financial wellness education to maximize employee engagement and utilization
Our Experienced Group Benefits Team
Our group benefits division is supported by a team of seasoned professionals who understand the intersection of organizational benefits and personal financial planning:
Kimberly Rideout
Group Benefits Specialist
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Kim leverages her comprehensive financial planning background to design employee benefits programs that align organizational objectives with employee financial wellness. Her consultative approach and dedication to building trusted partnerships ensure each benefits solution --from health and dental plans to retirement programs and executive benefits -- is tailored to meet the unique needs of both the organization and its workforce. Kim's distinctive ability to view group benefits through a holistic financial planning lens helps organizations maximize their benefits investment while providing employees with meaningful coverage that supports their long-term financial security.
Andrew Bay
Financial Literacy Workshop Lead
Andrew's extensive experience conducting workplace financial literacy sessions gives him unique insights into employee financial wellness needs, enabling our team to design benefits programs that truly resonate with and support your workforce. Andrew's commitment to education and strategic planning ensures that your group benefits strategy aligns seamlessly with your organization's broader financial objectives while maximizing employee engagement and understanding of their benefits.
He has conducted over 200 financial literacy workshops to over 80 companies.
Coby Blystone
Employee's Financial Planner
Coby specializes in integrating group retirement plans with individual financial planning strategies, providing organizations with a valuable resource for their employees' financial wellness His advanced designations enable him to provide sophisticated financial guidance that employees at all levels can access through their workplace benefits program. Organizations partnering with our firm gain the unique advantage of offering their employees direct access to a Certified Financial Planner® who can help them maximize their group benefits, coordinate retirement planning, and address individual financial concerns. This creates a powerful value-add that enhances both recruitment and retention efforts while demonstrating genuine investment in employee financial well-being.
Our Group Benefits Process
1. Discovery and Analysis
We begin with a comprehensive review of your current benefits program, organizational objectives, budget parameters, and employee demographics. This financial planning-driven analysis helps us understand your complete benefits landscape.
2. Strategic Design
Using our findings, we develop customized benefits recommendations that balance comprehensive coverage with cost-effectiveness. We present multiple scenarios showing how different benefit designs impact both your bottom line and employee satisfaction.
3. Market Analysis and Negotiation
We leverage our carrier relationships and market knowledge to secure competitive proposals. Our team conducts thorough comparisons, negotiating on your behalf to maximize value.
4. Implementation Support
From carrier selection through employee enrollment, we manage every detail of the implementation process. This includes creating communication materials, conducting employee meetings, and coordinating with your HR team.
5. Ongoing Service and Support
Our commitment extends beyond implementation. We provide year-round support including:
- Claims advocacy and issue resolution
- Plan performance monitoring and reporting
- Annual renewal strategy and negotiation
- Employee education and financial wellness programs
- Financial literacy workshops for employees
The Financial Planning Advantage
What sets us apart is our holistic approach to group benefits. As Certified Financial Planner® professionals, we understand how group benefits fit into the broader financial picture for both organizations and individuals. This perspective allows us to:
- Design benefits that support long-term financial security
- Educate employees on maximizing their benefits value
- Coordinate group benefits with personal financial planning services
- Provide executive-level benefits consulting
- Integrate benefits strategy with succession planning
Comprehensive Insurance Carrier Relationships
We maintain strong relationships with leading insurance carriers to provide you with competitive options and superior service. Our carrier partnerships include major national providers as well as regional specialists, ensuring we can match your organization's unique needs with the right coverage solutions.
Get Started Today
Ready to experience the difference a financial planning approach makes to your group benefits program? Contact Kim Rideout and our team today for a confidential consultation. We'll review your current benefits structure and identify opportunities to enhance your program while managing costs effectively. Whether you're establishing your first group benefits plan, looking to enhance your current offerings, or seeking better service from your benefits partner, our team has the expertise and experience to guide you to success.
As an independent financial planning firm specializing in group benefits, we work for you, not the insurance carriers. This independence ensures our recommendations always prioritize your organization's best interests and your employees' financial wellness.
Insurance provided by IG Insurance Services Inc.