Collaboration Corner
Beyond the Renewal Roller Coaster
A message from the President of InterLutions on planning today for tomorrow's benefit costs.
Renewal season should not be the first time we talk about rising health plan costs. For many credit unions, this year's renewals are shaping up to be another challenge. High-cost claims, particularly cancer and cardiovascular conditions, are putting pressure on benefit budgets. So are rising prescription drug and specialty pharmacy costs, including GLP-1 medications, increased utilization, and higher healthcare prices. If we wait until our renewal period to address these challenges, we may already be too late.
It is time to have a different conversation.
Instead of asking, "How can we reduce this year's renewal?" we should be asking, "What can we do today to change the long-term trajectory of our employee benefit costs?" Sustainable benefits require more than an annual renewal strategy. They require a deliberate, multiyear approach that brings together plan design, funding, wellness, education, technology, and smarter use of benefit dollars.
At InterLutions, we believe credit unions can take greater control of their employee benefit costs while continuing to provide competitive, meaningful benefits. Turning that multiyear approach into action starts with exploring strategies that fit your credit union's needs. The four strategies below offer a starting point for that conversation.
Four strategies for sustainable benefits
Collaborative health plan solutions through our insurance captive
Designed to create greater stability and long-term control.
Wellness and educational programs
A holistic approach to building a healthier, more informed, and more productive workforce.
Prefunding employee benefit strategies
Generate additional investment earnings to offset future benefit expenses.
Benefit administration technology
Simplify benefits for HR teams and employees while creating greater administrative efficiency.
Let us change the conversation.
What is the biggest benefits challenge your credit union wants to tackle beyond this year's renewal? Start that conversation with InterLutions. Together, we can build a long-term benefits strategy now, one designed to help your credit union manage costs differently and continue providing employees with the benefits they deserve.
Jesse Kohl
President of InterLutions
Beyond Benefits & Compliance
Real questions. Straightforward answers. Your guide to benefits, compliance, and HR.
An employee asks a benefits question. You want a straightforward answer, not another rabbit hole. Beyond Benefits & Compliance brings practical insights and real-world conversations to HR, employee benefits, wellness, and compliance topics. Follow Amy Pals and Kelly Balodis, Client Service Managers at InterLutions, for articles and short videos that make complex topics easier to understand and navigate.
What HR, benefits, or compliance questions keep landing in your inbox? Send it to the InterLutions team at [email protected]. We would love to hear what you would like to see covered. Catch up on the latest articles and video episodes and check back throughout the year for new insights.
My Spouse's Plan Starts November 1; Can I Switch and Then Come Back?
Before switching to a spouse's plan, start with HR approval under your Section 125 plan. What happens when that plan has a different plan year? Amy Pals and Kelly Balodis explain how employees can switch and return at their credit union's renewal, and why approval comes first.
Employees Turn to HR for Benefit Questions. But Who Supports Human Resources (HR)?
HR teams are often the first stop for employee benefit questions, but who supports HR when those questions become more complex? Discover how having the right support can help HR teams navigate employee benefits with greater confidence.
Can You Just Remove Me from the Benefits?
Benefits are not quite like subscriptions. Once employees make pretax elections, changing them midyear is not always an option. Here is what makes those requests more complicated than they seem.
The Benefits Buzz
Industry news and articles to bring fresh ideas to your next benefits conversation.
| Topic | Why it matters | Read or watch |
|---|---|---|
| 5 HR and Benefits Trends Credit Unions Should Watch in 2026 | Rising costs, compliance demands, and employee questions are all connected, and these five trends show where credit unions should focus their benefits strategy right now. | Read the Article |
| Understand Your Insurance Terms to Avoid Unexpected Costs | Help employees learn key health plan terms, from deductibles and coinsurance to out-of-pocket maximums, so they can better manage their healthcare spending. | Learn More |
| HR Brief: July 2026 | The IRS has released the 2027 limits for HSAs and high-deductible health plans, including higher contribution limits, minimum deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. | Read Now |
| Leveraging Collaboration to Improve Employee Wellness | In this recorded webinar, Barb Lowman, President of CUNA Strategic Services, visits with the experts at InterLutions to discuss how a consultative approach to employee benefit plans can help your credit union. Hear insights based on experience working with credit unions of all sizes: what works, what does not, and how to create the best possible plan. | Read More |
The InterLutions Experience, in Their Words
Clients share what stands out about working with InterLutions.
"Our experience with InterLutions has been very positive. They are knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to help us navigate questions or changes."
"As a CUSO, they understand the challenges and opportunities unique to credit unions, which makes our partnership especially valuable."
"I highly recommend Kelly at InterLutions. She made the process of reviewing our group health insurance options incredibly easy. Kelly did all the legwork, provided clear pricing comparisons, and explained the differences between the policies in a way that was easy to understand."
Explore More Client Testimonials
2026: A Year of Credit Union Connections
Conferences, conversations, and a credit union community worth celebrating.
The best part of 2026? Connecting with the credit union community. From conferences and league events to industry partnerships and virtual conversations, this year has brought opportunities to listen, exchange ideas, and support the community we serve.
Thank you for being part of those conversations. We are looking forward to continuing the conversations and making even more connections in 2027.
A Fresh Look at Funding Your Benefits
InterLutions and Acumen Financial Advantage: employee benefits prefunding and executive benefit consulting for credit unions.
As employee benefit costs continue to rise, credit unions need to consider not only how they manage those expenses, but also how they fund them. Employee Benefits Prefunding is a strategy that allows credit unions to invest funds in advance to help support future benefit obligations, including health insurance, retirement programs, and other eligible employee benefits. Under NCUA Regulation §701.19, federal credit unions may use certain investments that would otherwise be impermissible when they are directly related to employee benefit obligations, creating an opportunity to potentially generate additional investment income to help offset benefit expenses over time.
Employee benefits prefunding
Illustrative concept. Investment returns are not guaranteed.
Start with your credit union's needs, not an investment product. Through our partnership with Acumen Financial Advantage, InterLutions takes an educational and consultative approach to helping you determine whether prefunding belongs in your long-term benefits strategy. The conversation begins with your benefit expenses and financial objectives, then considers liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and regulatory considerations. Together, InterLutions and Acumen Financial Advantage can help you explore whether a thoughtfully designed prefunding strategy could put more of your balance sheet to work while supporting the benefits your employees value.
Open New Doors for Business Members as an I-Care Ambassador
Help local businesses access better, more affordable health plans.
When local businesses face rising insurance costs and limited coverage, your credit union can help them explore alternatives. By partnering with InterLutions and the I-Care Health Plan, you can help business members look for smarter, more affordable benefits. Together, you can explore plans that balance cost and coverage, with the potential to save businesses money and offer employees better care, lower copays, and wider network access, depending on the plan and each business's needs.
Why join as an I-Care Ambassador?
- Ready to use marketing materials and digital content
- Turnkey launch strategies
- Ongoing market updates
- Full training and support
Give your business members the benefits they need to attract and retain top talent, while strengthening your community.
Support your members. Make an impact. Get started with I-Care today.
Partner Spotlight: Thank you, Heartland Credit Union!
Collaboration Corner
Stronger together. Thank you to the partners who help make our work possible.
Get to Know Your CUSO Team
Meet Jordyn, a night owl with a time stopping superpower on her wish list.
Join us in welcoming Jordyn to the InterLutions team! We asked her a few fun questions to help you get to know her beyond the office.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Loaded potato waves from Applebee's.
Q: Are you an early bird or night owl?
A: Definitely a night owl.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
A: I would want the power to pause time, mostly so I could sleep in.
Q: Describe your ideal weekend.
A: My ideal weekend is one spent with friends with no real plans in mind. We just go wherever the wind takes us.
Q: What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
A: Every mistake is fixable. It has taught me not to fear the mistakes I make, but to view them as opportunities to learn.
Keep the Good Conversations Going
Stay connected between issues.
Want more practical benefits insights and a closer look at the people behind InterLutions? Sign up to receive InterLutions announcements and other notifications and stay connected between issues.
