Vol.1, July 2025

July Benefits Rundown: OBBB impacts, vendor advice + more

Graphic for Mindy’s Benefits Rundown July 2025 issue.

I visited my alma mater recently for the first time in years. It transported me to a time when everything felt possible and the future was wide open. It was energizing, and it got me thinking about trying something new.

That’s what inspired Mindy’s Benefits Rundown. Each month, I’ll share a quick video—definitely new territory for me—along with a few hand-picked items from the SBA team and the broader benefits space that I think are worth your time. I hope you’ll find something useful, and I’d love to hear what you want to see more of.

See you next month,

Mindy Zatto, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA, MSPA
Founding Principal, SBA

This Month at SBA

A quick look at what’s new, noteworthy, or just plain useful from our team.

Strategic Benefits Advisors article graphic regarding federal legislative updates for plan sponsors, featuring the South Portico of the White House under a clear blue sky.

What plan sponsors need to know about the OBBB

The One Big Beautiful Bill includes major changes affecting employer-sponsored benefits, from new HSA rules and child care credits to payroll deductions for CHOICE plans. Our latest guidance breaks down what’s relevant and what actions plan sponsors may want to take now.

Andy Clonts, Director and Senior Benefits Consultant of Strategic Benefits Advisors.

SBA welcomes Andy Clonts

Andy brings more than 25 years of leadership in the human capital and employee benefits space to his role as director and senior benefits consultant.

Ask the Principals

Our leadership team tackles tough questions from plan sponsors like you.

Close-up of hands holding an open, lined spiral notebook and a pen at a wooden desk.

Is my vendor relationship salvageable, or should I go to bid?

A: Start by asking whether the issues are fixable or fundamental. If service gaps stem from breakdowns that can be addressed with the right structure and accountability, vendor recovery may be the better path. But if your vendor has lost your trust or can’t meet your long-term needs, it might be time to move on. SBA can help you make that determination.

When vendor issues begin to distract your HR team or trigger frequent employee complaints, it’s natural to question whether the relationship is still viable. While going out to bid may seem like the most straightforward fix, it often introduces new challenges—such as implementation costs, data transition risks, and potential service disruptions.

That’s why it’s worth considering vendor recovery first. This structured, third-party-led process identifies root causes on both sides and puts a plan in place to restore performance and rebuild trust. When it works, recovery can stabilize the relationship without the disruption of a full vendor transition.

However, not all relationships are salvageable. If your vendor consistently misses the mark, avoids accountability, or can’t align with your evolving needs—even after corrective efforts—it may be time to go to bid.

Tags: vendor management/recovery, vendor search/RFP process

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