Why Employee Benefits Matter for Midwest Businesses
Hiring and keeping good employees is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois. A well-structured benefits package is no longer optional. It is one of the primary factors employees evaluate when choosing where to work and whether to stay.
For many small and mid-sized businesses in the Midwest, offering competitive benefits can feel complicated and expensive. The reality is that a properly designed benefits program can reduce turnover costs, lower absenteeism, and improve overall workforce productivity.
Brawner Insurance works with businesses of all sizes to build benefits packages that balance employee needs with budget realities. We represent multiple carriers, which means we can compare options and find coverage that fits your organization.
Employee Benefits Coverage Available Through Brawner Insurance
Every business has different needs depending on its size, industry, and workforce demographics. Below are the core employee benefits options we help businesses evaluate and implement across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois.
Group Health Insurance
Group health insurance is typically the most important benefit employees look for. It provides medical coverage for your employees and often their dependents, covering doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, preventive care, and more.
- PPO Plans with flexible provider access and out-of-network options
- HMO Plans with lower premiums and coordinated care through a primary provider
- High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) with lower monthly costs paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- Level-Funded Plans as a hybrid option for businesses looking for potential cost savings with limited risk
We help you compare plans across multiple carriers to find the right balance of coverage, cost, and network access for your team.
Group Dental and Vision Insurance
Dental and vision benefits are among the most requested by employees and are relatively affordable to add to an existing benefits package.
Dental coverage typically includes preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays), basic procedures (fillings, extractions), and major procedures (crowns, root canals, dentures).
Vision coverage generally covers annual eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, and contact lenses, with allowances for frames and lens upgrades.
These benefits can be offered as employer-paid, voluntary (employee-paid), or a combination of both.
Group Life Insurance
Group life insurance provides a death benefit to the family or beneficiaries of an employee who passes away. It is one of the most affordable benefits an employer can offer and is often provided at no cost to employees as a base benefit.
- Basic Group Life with employer-paid coverage, typically 1x to 2x annual salary
- Voluntary/Supplemental Life with employee-paid additional coverage at group rates
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) with additional coverage for accidental injuries or death
- Dependent Life with coverage available for spouses and children
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Disability insurance replaces a portion of an employee's income if they become unable to work due to illness or injury. This is an important benefit that many employees overlook until they need it.
Short-Term Disability (STD) typically covers 60-70% of an employee's salary for a limited period (usually 3 to 6 months) after a qualifying event.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) begins after short-term coverage ends and can continue for several years or until retirement age, depending on the policy.
For businesses in physically demanding industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, or construction, disability coverage can be especially important for workforce stability.
Retirement Plans
Offering a retirement plan helps employees plan for financial security after their working years. It is also a meaningful differentiator when recruiting experienced professionals.
- 401(k) Plans with traditional employer-sponsored retirement savings and optional employer matching
- SIMPLE IRA as a cost-effective retirement plan option for businesses with 100 or fewer employees
- SEP IRA designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners