Notes from our expert team.

Lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs) are employer-funded benefits that give employees flexible dollars to spend across a defined set of categories, from fitness and mental health to childcare, professional development, and beyond. Unlike traditional benefits that assume a one-size-fits-all workforce, LSAs put choice in the employee's hands, increasing perceived value without necessarily increasing employer spend. This guide covers what LSAs are, how they work, what they typically cover, and what HR leaders should weigh before adding one to their benefits strategy.

Women make up the majority of the HR profession and are increasingly reshaping benefits strategy with workplace equity as the explicit goal. Equity in the workplace means giving employees access to what they actually need to participate and advance, not just equal access to the same resources. For HR leaders, that distinction has real implications for how benefits are designed, what gets measured, and which gaps are worth closing. This post breaks down what equity-driven benefits look like in practice, why women in HR are leading the charge, and how any HR leader can start applying the same framework.

Women's health is a career-long conversation, but most benefit packages treat it as a single moment. This piece breaks down six areas where employer coverage still falls short, from menstrual and hormonal health to menopause and chronic conditions, and highlights what leading companies are doing differently. Whether you're an HR leader benchmarking your benefits or an employee who's felt the gaps firsthand, it's a look at what genuinely inclusive coverage can look like.

Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, yet research shows they continue to carry a disproportionate share of invisible labor, from caregiving responsibilities to health coordination and administrative load. These structural realities can quietly shape retention, advancement, and burnout, even in organizations committed to fairness. By designing employee benefits strategy with workplace equity in mind, HR leaders can reduce hidden strain and create more sustainable, measurable outcomes.

Employee listening is more than a survey. It’s a strategic tool for building smarter, more effective benefits and total rewards programs. In this blog, we explore how a strong employee listening strategy helps HR leaders reduce wasted spend, improve engagement, and design benefits that reflect the real needs of a diverse workforce. We also break down how the right broker partner can turn employee feedback into actionable, data-driven benefits strategy.

Fertility benefits and IVF coverage can be difficult to navigate, especially because state laws and insurance requirements vary widely. This guide explains what fertility benefits typically include, how state mandates work, and what insurance covers IVF depending on plan type. It also includes an A–Z list of fertility insurance mandates across all 50 states.

Rising healthcare costs and unpredictable renewals are pushing more employers to explore self-funded insurance as a smarter alternative to fully insured plans. In this Self-Funding 101 guide, Nava Benefits and Imagine360 break down how self-funding works, how risk is managed through stop-loss coverage, and why it can offer greater transparency and long-term cost control. Learn what it takes to get started and how HR leaders can build the case with finance partners.

Managing employee benefits can overwhelm lean HR teams, especially without a dedicated benefits function. This guide shares 19 practical strategies to reduce administrative burden, streamline support, and empower employees to self-serve. With the right partners, tools, and systems, even small HR teams can deliver a confident, effective benefits experience.

Pet benefits are becoming an essential part of modern total rewards as more employees see pets as part of their family and struggle with rising veterinary costs. This guide breaks down why pet insurance matters, how different benefit options work, and what HR teams should consider when evaluating or implementing a pet benefit. With the right approach, employers can improve employee wellbeing, strengthen culture, and offer meaningful support at little to no cost.

Nearly three-quarters of employees are caregivers, and many are burning out in silence. Nava and Cleo share actionable strategies for HR teams to close benefits gaps, streamline caregiving support, and build stronger, more resilient workforces.

Rising healthcare costs are quietly cutting into employee paychecks through premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs. Let’s explore what’s driving the spike, why it matters for HR leaders, and how modern benefits strategies can help.

The IRS has released new 2026 inflation adjustments impacting FSAs, QSEHRAs, commuter benefits, and more. This article breaks down each update in plain language, helping HR leaders understand what’s changing, what to review, and how to keep their benefits plans compliant. Learn how proactive HR teams use these annual updates to strengthen compliance processes and build employee trust.