Tips on launching an employee benefit program...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-inbox15-2008sep15,0,3028314.story

Tips on launching an employee benefit program
By Karen E. Klein, Special to The Times September 15, 2008
Dear Karen: I want to set up a benefits program for my employees but have no idea what it'll cost or where to get started. Can you help?Answer: Start by talking to your business insurance broker about providing health and other benefits to your employees. If you don't have a broker, get a personal referral from an entrepreneur, preferably someone who turned a small start-up into a successful firm, said Alex Chernoff, president of New York-based Cohn Benefits Consulting.
"There are insurance companies and payroll companies that sell preset programs that are bundled for small companies," Chernoff said. You'll typically be inquiring about group medical plans, life insurance policies, disability insurance and perhaps dental and vision coverage as well.In terms of retirement plans for small firms, you have several options that can be handled for you by a third-party administrator at reasonable cost, Chernoff said. "Several of the insurance companies have plans that are easy to implement," he said. "You need to look for a high-quality insurance person and be as smart at choosing that person as you are at doing other things in your business," Chernoff said. If you work with an independent insurance broker, that person should be able to look at many options and present you with the best deals for coverage for your firm.