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All Posts By

Jessi Cole-Jackson

Feb 26

A Plain-Language Guide to PA 152 Compliance for Michigan Libraries

By Employee Benefits
For many library leaders in Michigan, managing compliance with Public Act 152 can feel like a recurring source of stress and confusion. Formally known as the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, this law places limits on how much public employers, including libraries, can contribute toward their employees' health insurance premiums. While its purpose is to control costs across the public sector, its requirements can seem complex, and failure to comply can lead to penalties. Navigating these regulations shouldn't be an annual scramble. Understanding the core components of PA 152 allows your library to build a predictable, sustainable process for…
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Feb 24

The True Value of Comprehensive Car Insurance for Your Financial Future

By Personal Insurance
We all know that insuring our vehicles is important. It is a legal requirement in most places, and it provides a safety net when we are on the road. However, when household budgets get tight, it is tempting to look at your monthly premiums and wonder where you can cut costs. Often, drivers decide to buy the bare minimum coverage required by law to save a few dollars each month but investing in comprehensive car insurance is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make. In this guide, we will explore why the "bare minimum" is a risky move…
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Feb 24

Reviewing Your Insurance Before the Holidays

By Personal Insurance
The holiday season often brings a joyful whirlwind of activity. There are family gatherings to plan, gifts to purchase, and travel arrangements to finalize. Amidst this excitement, one crucial task often gets overlooked: Review Insurance Before the Holidays. While it may not be the most festive item on your to-do list, taking time to review insurance before the holidays is one of the most effective ways to protect your family and your assets, ensuring peace of mind during this busy time of year.
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Feb 24

How One Client Avoided $10k in OSHA Fines With Employee Training

By Business Insurance, Case Studies
Workplace safety is vital for every business owner. It protects your team and your company’s financial health. Even with precautions, accidents can happen. In those moments, a thorough paper trail of safety protocols becomes your strongest defense. Adopting a system to avoid OSHA fines with employee training is more than a best practice—it’s a financial safeguard. One of our manufacturing clients recently saw this value in action. They turned a potential five-figure penalty into zero liability. This case study highlights how proactive risk management and consistent training documentation can protect your business.
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Feb 24

Halloween Safety and Personal Insurance: Tips to Protect Your Family and Home

By Personal Insurance
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, creative costumes, and gathering treats. While you're busy planning the perfect costume or stocking up on candy, it's also a good time to think about keeping everyone safe. A few simple precautions can prevent accidents and injuries. This guide covers essential tips for Halloween safety and personal insurance, helping you protect your family and home from unexpected frights. By understanding the risks, you can ensure your holiday remains a treat, not a trick.
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Feb 19

Your Teen Driver Had an Accident. Now What?

By Personal Insurance
The phone call every parent dreads is the one that starts with, "Mom, Dad... I've been in an accident." Even a minor incident can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves a new driver. For the family of a long-time client, this scenario became a reality when their teen driver hit a deer. The experience was unsettling, and they were immediately faced with a wave of questions and concerns. What do we do next? Will our rates go up? How does this process even work?
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Feb 19

8 Proven Employee Engagement Strategies

By Employee Benefits
An engaged workforce fuels company success, and implementing the right employee engagement strategies makes all the difference. When employees feel connected, productivity and loyalty rise. Yet, many organizations, especially those with dispersed teams, struggle to foster engagement. Disengaged employees can lower morale and negatively impact profitability. The High Cost of Disengagement Low engagement leads to poor motivation, reduced work quality, and higher turnover. The impact is real: companies that invest in effective employee engagement strategies often see income increase, while those with low engagement risk significant revenue drops. Prioritizing employee engagement is a smart business move. Actionable Employee Engagement Strategies:…
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Feb 11

Is Your Benefits Spend Hitting the Mark?

By Employee Benefits
As an HR leader or CFO, you spend a significant portion of your budget on employee benefits. The goal is twofold: attract and retain top talent while managing costs effectively. But how do you know if the benefits you offer are truly valued and used by your employees? The effectiveness of your employee benefits spend is a critical question. Offering a benefit that nobody uses is like broadcasting on a dead channel—it’s a financial drain with no return. Conducting a regular benefits cost-benefit analysis is no longer a "nice-to-have" administrative task; it's a strategic necessity. This process helps you identify…
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Feb 04

Manifest and Kapnick Insurance Announce First-of-Its-Kind Partnership for Employer Healthcare Solutions

By Employee Benefits, Kapnick News
MANIFEST AND KAPNICK INSURANCE PARTNER TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE OPTIONS FOR MICHIGAN EMPLOYERS First-of-its-kind partnership will bring Manifest Provider Collective to progressive West Michigan employers leveraging Kapnick for benefit consulting services. Grand Rapids, Michigan – January 28, 2026 Manifest, a healthcare solutions design studio, today announced a new partnership with Kapnick Insurance, Michigan’s largest independent, family-owned benefits agency. Together, the organizations will make the Manifest Provider Collective available to employers that work with Kapnick for employee benefits and health plan consulting.
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Feb 04

What the Newest Set of ERISA Lawsuits Could Mean for Your Organization

By Employee Benefits, Legislative Updates
On December 23, 2025, Schlichter Bogard LLC filed its first healthcare ERISA cases against United Airlines, Labcorp, CHS, and Universal Services over voluntary benefits. This is the same firm with three unanimous Supreme Court victories, over $750 million in settlements, and an estimated $2.8 billion annual reduction in 401(k) fees. Each case generally alleges that the employers and their benefits brokers breached their ERISA fiduciary duties and caused the participants to pay excessive premiums due to failures in: engaging in a prudent process when selecting insurance offerings; monitoring the commissions received by the benefits brokers; and monitoring the loss ratios on…
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