The first quarter of a new year is busy. Ask any employee and they'll probably tell you about how they are trying to balance being knee-deep in goal planning and working with their teams on early execution. There's also life outside of work, including thinking about how to start applying and using their 2024 benefits elections. 

Whether scheduling their kids' annual well-visits with the pediatrician or stopping by the neighborhood pharmacy to get a flu shot, major medical-related benefits are fairly straightforward for employees to start using. However, with most employees spending just 20 minutes making decisions about non-medical benefits during open enrollment, many aren't aware of the associated services and financial savings available to them via voluntary benefits. 

As a result, employees are leaving money on the table, which is especially concerning given that a recent Guardian study found that financial wellbeing among working Americans is at an all-time low, in turn driving down overall wellbeing. Yet, within this challenge lies an opportunity for brokers: encouraging clients to kickstart ongoing, year-round benefits education for employees.