What are the Benefit Manager of the Year and Benefit Management Honor Roll® awards?
Business Insurance has sponsored and administered the awards since 2005. The awards recognize outstanding benefit managers and benefit management programs. Benefits programs considered include some or all of the following benefits: group health, group life, retirement and pension benefits, work/life benefit programs and wellness. Workers compensation benefits will not be considered, except as part of an integrated disability benefits management program. The value or generosity of specific benefits will not be judged; the award is intended to honor excellence in managing and administering benefit programs overall.

Who is eligible to be nominated?
Anyone that manages benefits at their organizations who are full-time employees of the organization. Nominees often have formal benefit management titles but an executive, such as a CFO or treasurer, that carries out the benefit management function for their organization is also eligible. Nominations are accepted for benefit managers at organizations worldwide.

Who can make a nomination?
Anyone familiar with the work of the candidate. Nominees often contribute to the nominations.

What’s the deadline?
The deadline for the Part I nominations is March 1, 2016.

When will the winners be notified?
Sometime in May. The winners will be profiled in the July 4 edition of Business Insurance. A luncheon honoring the Benefit Manager of the Year will be organized in the home location of the winner.

What makes a good nomination?
A strong narrative backed up with data. For example, the candidate reduced health care costs by xx% over xx years, increased 401(k) participation by xx%, increased compliance with drug regimens by xx% etc. Examples of innovation in the field of benefit management, including use of technology, also contribute to a strong narrative. The best nominations often have a recognizable story arc, such as, the nominee inherited a difficult situation, analyzed the problems, came up with answers, implemented a strategy to resolve the problems and measured the results. Please remember that this is NOT a lifetime achievement award so please include examples of successes from the past few years. The judges use only the information presented in the nomination form.