CLEARPEAK BENEFITS

Group Benefits for Calgary Businesses

Better Benefits. Smarter Costs. Stronger Businesses.

At ClearPeak Benefits, we believe an effective employee benefits program should do more than provide coverage. It should help you attract and retain great employees, protect their well-being, and deliver sustainable value for your business.

As the specialized group benefits division of ClearPeak Financial, we work with Calgary and Alberta businesses to design, negotiate, and manage employee benefits programs tailored to their needs.

Whether you’re introducing benefits for the first time, reviewing an existing plan, or facing another significant renewal increase, we provide independent advice, access to leading Canadian insurers, and hands-on support every step of the way.

REQUEST A GROUP BENEFITS REVIEW

WHY CLEARPEAK BENEFITS?

More Than a Benefits Broker. A Long-Term Partner.

Choosing the right employee benefits advisor can make a meaningful difference to your company’s costs, coverage, and overall experience.

With over 20 years of industry experience, ClearPeak takes a proactive approach to managing your benefits program. We don’t believe in simply setting up a plan and checking in once a year. We believe in building relationships, anticipating challenges, and helping employers make informed decisions.

Independent Advice & Insurer Choice

We work with a broad range of leading Canadian insurance companies and benefits providers, including Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, Equitable, Desjardins, Blue Cross, and others.

Our independence allows us to evaluate competing solutions and recommend programs based on your business’s needs, rather than being limited to a single provider.

Proactive Renewal Management

Renewal increases can be one of the most frustrating parts of offering employee benefits.

We review your claims experience, analyze proposed rate changes, negotiate with insurers, and explore alternative funding arrangements or providers when appropriate.

Our objective is to help you maintain meaningful coverage while managing your long-term benefits costs.

Customized Benefits Programs

No two businesses are identical, and their benefits programs shouldn’t be either.

We consider your employee demographics, business objectives, budget, and existing coverage to develop practical solutions that balance employee needs with financial sustainability.

Ongoing Service & Administration Support

Our involvement doesn’t end when your plan is implemented.

We support employers with plan administration, employee questions, coverage changes, renewal reviews, and communication with insurance providers.

You’ll have a knowledgeable team to turn to when questions or problems arise.

Experience You Can Rely On

Benefits decisions can be complicated. Our role is to simplify them.

We explain your options clearly, identify potential trade-offs, and help you make confident decisions about your company’s benefits program.

OUR SOLUTIONS

Employee Benefits Designed Around Your Business

From traditional insurance plans to flexible spending accounts and group retirement programs, we help employers build a benefits package that reflects their workforce and budget.

Traditional Group Health & Dental Benefits

Comprehensive group insurance plans can provide employees and their families with valuable protection, including:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental and vision care
• Extended health benefits and paramedical services
• Mental health and psychological services
• Life and accidental death insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Critical illness coverage

We help you compare insurers, determine appropriate coverage levels, and design a plan that provides meaningful protection at a sustainable cost.

Health Spending Accounts (HSAs)

A Health Spending Account gives employers greater control over their benefits budgets while allowing employees flexibility in how they use their available funds.

Employers establish an allowance, and eligible employees can claim reimbursement for qualifying medical and dental expenses.

When properly structured under applicable CRA rules, HSAs can provide tax-efficient benefits for both employers and employees.

They can be offered independently or alongside traditional group insurance.

Wellness Spending Accounts (WSAs)

Wellness Spending Accounts allow employers to support a broader range of employee wellness and lifestyle expenses.

Depending on the program, eligible categories might include fitness memberships, recreational activities, professional development, and other wellness initiatives.

Unlike qualifying HSAs, WSA reimbursements are generally taxable employee benefits.

Administrative Services Only (ASO) Plans

For employers seeking greater flexibility, an Administrative Services Only arrangement may offer an alternative to traditional fully insured benefits.

Under an ASO plan, the employer generally funds eligible claims while a third-party administrator manages claims processing and administration.

We help businesses assess the financial risks, costs, and potential advantages before selecting this approach.

Hybrid Benefits Programs

Sometimes the best solution isn’t one type of plan.

A hybrid approach can combine insured coverage for significant risks, such as life and disability insurance, with an HSA or an ASO arrangement for selected health and dental expenses.

This allows employers to balance important insurance protection with flexibility and cost management.

Group Retirement Savings Plans

Supporting your employees’ financial future can be an important part of a competitive compensation package.

ClearPeak also helps employers establish and manage group retirement programs, including:

• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
• Deferred Profit Sharing Plans (DPSPs)
• Defined Contribution Pension Plans
• Group Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs)

We assist with program selection, investment options, implementation, employee education, and ongoing plan reviews.

RENEWAL MANAGEMENT

Your Benefits Renewal Deserves More Than a Rubber Stamp

If your group benefits premiums have increased significantly, you’re not alone in facing difficult decisions.

Claims experience, healthcare costs, plan utilization, and insurer pricing can all influence renewal rates.

But an increase doesn’t necessarily mean you have to accept the first proposal.

At ClearPeak Benefits, we take a proactive approach to renewal management.

We Review the Numbers

We examine claims experience, insurer renewal calculations, plan utilization, and the factors driving your proposed costs.

We Negotiate on Your Behalf

We challenge renewal assumptions where appropriate and work with insurers to explore more competitive terms.

We Compare Alternatives

When warranted, we evaluate competing insurance providers, plan design adjustments, and alternative funding arrangements.

We Look Beyond the Next Renewal

Our goal is to help you establish a sustainable benefits program that continues to serve your employees and business over time.

Whether your renewal is approaching or you’ve already received a significant increase, we’re here to help you evaluate your options.

REQUEST A BENEFITS RENEWAL REVIEW

OUR PROCESS

A Straightforward Approach to Better Benefits

1. Understand Your Business

We begin by learning about your organization, workforce, existing coverage, budget, and priorities.

2. Evaluate Your Options

We compare insurers, funding models, coverage options, and plan structures to identify solutions that make sense for your business.

3. Recommend a Strategy

We explain the differences, discuss potential trade-offs, and recommend a program aligned with your objectives.

4. Implement Your Plan

We assist with the transition, insurer coordination, administration setup, and employee communications.

5. Manage and Review

We remain involved throughout the year, supporting your administrators, monitoring your plan, and proactively reviewing renewals.

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Trusted by Calgary Employers

We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built with Calgary business owners and plan administrators. Here’s what some of our clients have shared about working with ClearPeak.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About Group Benefits

How much does group benefits insurance cost for a small business?

The cost depends on several factors, including the number of employees, coverage levels, employee demographics, plan design, claims experience, and insurer pricing.

We help employers compare options and determine a benefits budget that aligns with their objectives.

Can a small business offer employee benefits?

Yes. Many benefits providers offer programs designed for smaller employers, although minimum participation and eligibility requirements vary.

We can help you evaluate traditional group insurance, health spending accounts, and other options based on the size and structure of your business.

Can we change group benefits providers?

Yes. Employers can generally explore alternative insurers, subject to existing contractual terms and transition requirements.

Before recommending a change, we consider pricing, coverage differences, disability provisions, employee eligibility, and potential disruption to employees.

Why did our group benefits premiums increase?

Renewal increases can reflect claims experience, insurer pooling charges, healthcare inflation, demographics, and other pricing factors.

A proper renewal review can help identify the main drivers and determine whether negotiation or plan adjustments are warranted.

Is a Health Spending Account better than traditional group insurance?

It depends on your business.

HSAs offer flexibility and predictable employer allowances, while traditional insurance provides protection against certain larger or unexpected expenses.

For some employers, combining both approaches delivers a better balance of flexibility, protection, and cost control.

Do we have to change insurers to work with ClearPeak?

Not necessarily. In many situations, an employer can appoint a new advisor while maintaining its existing insurer and benefits program, subject to the insurer’s procedures and any applicable agreements.

We can review your current arrangements and explain your options.

LET’S TALK BENEFITS

A Better Benefits Strategy Starts with a Conversation

Whether you’re building your first group benefits program, considering a change of providers, or looking for a second opinion on your next renewal, ClearPeak Benefits can help.

We work with Calgary and Alberta employers to simplify benefits decisions, manage costs, and create programs that support both their employees and their businesses.

Let’s take a closer look at your benefits program and see where we can make a difference.

REQUEST A GROUP BENEFITS REVIEW

ClearPeak Benefits | A division of ClearPeak Financial Corporation