Vol.3, September 2025

September Benefits Rundown: WOSB status, succession planning + H&W innovations

Graphic for Mindy’s Benefits Rundown September 2025 issue with a "Play Now" button.

On a recent early morning run, I found myself trudging up a long hill, head down, just trying to get through it. When I finally looked up, there at the top were a mama deer and her baby, quietly watching me. It struck me how often we push through tough stretches in life—or work—without pausing to notice how far we’ve come.

This time of year, that stretch is open enrollment. If you're in the thick of plan design, employee communications, system testing, or approvals, I hope you'll take a moment to look up. You’ve made progress. Let that fuel you for the push ahead.

Hang in there.

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.

SBA earns WOSB certification and seventh consecutive top-firm ranking

The Atlanta Business Chronicle has once again named SBA among Atlanta’s top employee benefits and compensation companies. It’s the seventh year we’ve earned this recognition, which comes alongside our formal certification under the SBA Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program. This designation allows clients to count their work with SBA toward federal supplier diversity goals.

Strategic Benefits Advisors article graphic regarding hidden retirement plan governance risks, featuring a yellow warning exclamation point sign and a falling-person warning sign set against a backdrop of steep mountain peaks.

Hidden governance risk could upend retirement plans

SBA Principal Lynn Bullard Kennedy recently authored an article for Employee Benefit News on a critical but often overlooked risk for plan sponsors: the loss of institutional knowledge when key fiduciaries depart. She outlines the fiduciary consequences of poor succession planning and offers a practical governance framework to ensure retirement plans remain compliant and well-managed through leadership transitions.

Strategic Benefits Advisors graphic celebrating senior consultant Andy Clonts' invitation to judge the 2025 Digital Health Awards, featuring a polished golden star trophy against a soft pastel bokeh background.

Meet the 2025 Digital Health Awards quarterfinalists

Our own Andy Clonts, director and senior benefits consultants, was invited to join the judging panel for the 2025 Digital Health Awards. We can think of no one better to recognize innovative solutions with the potential to transform employee health and wellness. Meet this year’s quarterfinalists, then stay tuned to see who will take home top honors in October!

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.

How do I know if my vendor contracts are fair?

A: Don’t treat renewals as routine. They’re a chance to revisit pricing, scope, and performance and push for terms that reflect your current priorities. SBA conducts detailed contract reviews and brings deep negotiation experience to help plan sponsors secure stronger, more accountable agreements.

Contract renewals are often rushed, but they shouldn’t be. They represent a key opportunity to reassess not only pricing, but also service levels, risk exposure, and whether the vendor relationship still meets your evolving needs. That means reviewing vendor performance against SLAs, comparing current rates to market benchmarks, and identifying areas where the terms no longer serve you.

SBA takes a line-by-line approach to contract evaluation, flagging vague language, misaligned incentives, and overlooked liabilities. With experience negotiating hundreds of contracts across the HR and benefits space, we help plan sponsors enter renewal conversations with confidence—and come away with agreements designed to support long-term performance, transparency, and accountability.