irs Insights

IRS

Compliance Caution: Understanding Form 5500

17 November 2022

Compliance Caution and understanding Form 5500 is important. If you're a business owner who would like to learn more, read more today!

An employer handling MLR Rebate paperwork

MLR Rebates: How Employers Should Handle Them

9 June 2022

If you’re an employer providing health insurance, you’re likely familiar with MLR rebate checks. So why are they important, and what do you do if you receive one as an organization?

Skills Gap Analysis: How To Identify Skills Gaps

by Chris Freitas • 3 December 2021

Learn how to identify skills gaps through a successful skills gap analysis. Explore how to incorporate this testing measure into your organization today!

221 Main Street #1462,

Los Altos, CA 94023, United States

408.366.8880

Services

We believe in 100% employee satisfaction

Latest Thinking

The Role of HR Information Systems in Modern Benefits Administration

by Chris Freitas • 22 April 2025

Managing employee benefits today isn’t just about selecting the right plans—it’s about how efficiently those benefits are delivered, communicated, and tracked. That’s where HR Information Systems (HRIS) come in. If you’re still juggling spreadsheets, manual forms, or disconnected software, chances are you’re wasting valuable time, increasing your risk of compliance issues, and frustrating your employees in the process. But a modern HRIS can transform how your company handles benefits administration—boosting efficiency, improving employee satisfaction, and ultimately making HR work smarter, not harder. Let’s walk through what an HRIS actually does, why it matters for benefits administration, and how your business can get started with a system that scales with you. What Is an HRIS and Why Should You Care? An HR Information System is a digital solution that helps businesses manage everything from payroll to performance reviews. But when it comes to benefits administration, it’s a game changer. Instead of scattered records and one-too-many email chains, an HRIS centralizes all your employee benefits data in one place. That means no more guesswork about who’s enrolled, what their coverage includes, or whether you’re on track with open enrollment. And because everything’s automated, HR teams are free to focus on strategy—not data entry. Key Ways an HRIS Streamlines Benefits Administration 1. Automates the Repetitive Stuff Manual tasks like enrolling employees in benefit plans, updating deductions, and generating reports can eat up hours of time. An HRIS automates these processes, making sure nothing slips through the cracks. You’ll have fewer errors and a whole lot less stress. 2. Gives Employees More Control Your employees don’t want to call HR every time they move, need to add a dependent, or check their benefits summary. A self-service HRIS portal lets them handle it on their own—anytime, from anywhere. That’s a win for them and a huge time-saver for your team. 3. Centralizes All Benefit-Related Data An HRIS keeps everything in one place—plan details, enrollment history, eligibility tracking, and more. This means better accuracy, real-time updates, and easier access when you need to audit or make plan changes. 4. Keeps You Compliant Compliance can be a minefield, especially when regulations are always changing. With an HRIS, you can build automated workflows that flag missing documentation, track COBRA requirements, and generate reports for ACA and other mandates—helping you stay compliant with minimal manual oversight. 5. Supports Better Decision-Making Modern HRIS platforms offer powerful reporting and analytics. You’ll get real-time insights into benefit utilization, enrollment trends, and participation rates, helping you make smarter choices about plan offerings and provider negotiations. Beyond Benefits: More Perks of Using an HRIS While the focus here is on benefits, HRIS tools touch almost every part of the employee experience. From streamlining onboarding to simplifying PTO tracking, performance reviews, and compensation planning—it’s a full-scale HR transformation. Here are a few more things an HRIS can help with: Smoother onboarding with automated forms and workflows Less paperwork (and fewer manual errors) Better talent management, including appraisals and training tracking Scalability as your company grows Cost savings from operational efficiency Ready to Modernize Your Benefits Administration? Here’s the bottom line: if you’re still managing benefits the old-fashioned way, it’s costing you time, money, and goodwill with your employees. A well-implemented HRIS brings everything into one place, gives your team back their time, and gives your employees the access and transparency they expect. At KBI Benefits , we help businesses like yours choose and implement the right HRIS solution—customized to fit your needs, goals, and growth plans. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to make the switch, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to streamline your benefits admin and boost employee satisfaction? Contact KBI Benefits today to get started with an HRIS platform that actually works for your business.

Share by: