Employers and benefits managers struggle to balance competitive benefits packages and out-of-control costs. And, experts at Colonial Life say, public sector employers face additional obstacles from revenue shortfalls and increased public scrutiny of government spending.

In a new white paper, the benefits provider examines five strategies that have been proven to help with cost containment. Those include:

• Wellness initiatives
• Pretaxing benefits/Section 125 participation
• Benefits communication and education
• Voluntary benefits
• Dependent verification

According to Colonial Life, government employers who implemented strategies such as these report significant savings in their employee health care benefits. More than half — 55 percent — of participants in the government financial officers study saved at least 6 percent, and 40 percent of them saved more than 10 percent. Other studies show employer return on investment for wellness initiatives ranging from $3 to $6 for every dollar spent.

Click through to examine whether these strategies are actually helping the bottom line while minimizing the impact on employees >>