Event Details

North Star SHRM will be hosting a virtual education session titled: 

Ask a Benefits Broker

By Pete Samson

This is a virtual open Q & A via Zoom on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. All North Star SHRM members are invited to attend. There is no cost to attend. 

The target audience for this seminar is HR professionals and business owners.

For the meeting link, log into the North Star SHRM website and click "Virtual Meeting Log-in" under Meetings & Events on the left side.

Session Description:
This interactive “Ask a Benefits Broker” session is designed as an open forum for HR leaders 
navigating today’s increasingly complex benefits landscape. Rather than a traditional presentation, this discussion will focus on the real questions employers are asking right now—from navigating Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program and evaluating private vs. state plan options, to understanding what’s truly driving health plan renewals, including pharmacy costs and specialty drugs. Participants will also explore funding strategies for small to mid-sized employers, including when fully insured or level-funded plans make the most sense, and gain clarity around broker compensation, transparency, and what effective advocacy should look like throughout the year.

The session will also address broader strategic considerations, including when a PEO may—or may not—be the right fit, how to move beyond a “renewal season survival” mindset, and how to build a more intentional, multi-year benefits strategy. Attendees will walk away with practical insights into common open enrollment missteps, how to assess whether their current benefits offerings remain competitive in today’s labor market, and the right questions to ask their broker to drive better outcomes. Come prepared to ask candid questions, share experiences, and gain actionable perspectives you can immediately apply within your organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the impact of Minnesota PFML now that the program is in effect, including employer compliance obligations, private vs. state plan considerations, and cost implications, to support informed organizational decision-making.
• Evaluate employer-sponsored health plan strategies by comparing fully insured and level-funded models, assessing PEO suitability, and interpreting key cost drivers such as pharmacy spend and specialty drugs.
• Assess broker relationships and compensation structures to ensure transparency, mitigate potential conflicts of interest, and strengthen vendor management and fiduciary oversight.
• Apply strategic total rewards principles to develop a proactive, multi-year benefits approach, including improving open enrollment effectiveness and benchmarking competitiveness in the labor market.

Speaker Bio:

Pete Samson, PEO Consultant & Employee Benefits.

Pete is a seasoned independent PEO and Employee Benefits consultant who specializes in partnering with Private Equity and Venture Capital firms to optimize HR and employee benefits strategies for their portfolio companies. Pete’s mission is to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sustainable growth through customized PEO solutions. In addition to supporting PE/VC firms, he also works with a diverse range of businesses to streamline their HR operations and employee benefits. Whether you are a growing startup or an established organization, Pete provides tailored consulting services to help you navigate the complexities of PEO arrangements and employee benefit programs. His expertise extends to fractional leadership, offering strategic guidance to help companies improve their HR infrastructure and achieve their business objectives.