Helping Agents Win: Ben Markland on Trends & Tools That Work
In this edition of the MWG Broker Services newsletter, we’re featuring our very own Ben Markland, Vice President of Sales, who plays an essential role in strengthening our relationships with carrier partners and shaping the product offerings we deliver to the market. Ben works behind the scenes to ensure brokers have access to competitive, high-value solutions that meet the evolving needs of both groups and individuals. We sat down with him to get his take on the latest with Premium Saver, current trends in group benefits, and what’s available for individual clients. Here’s what he shared:
1. Can you give us an update on the Premium Saver plan and how its helping employer groups manage healthcare costs this year?
After coming off a record year last year, we have continued to see significant growth in the first quarter of 2025. Our block of Premium Saver business is bigger than it has ever been. This is a testament to the continuing need for employers to reduce costs as premiums continue to increase. We don’t see this trend slowing anytime soon.
2. What trends are you seeing in group benefits right now and how is MWG responding to those evolving needs?
We have seen a big uptick in voluntary benefits being offered and enrolled in our small groups. I believe that employees are becoming more involved in their benefits and wanting more options to meet their current circumstances. Employers are listening. MWG’s Group Connect platform provides lots of options from various carriers to meet employers’ growing interest in voluntary benefits. We have also begun seeing brokers offer ICHRAs instead of traditional group health insurance plans in certain areas of the country. ICHRAs can potentially save both the employer and employee money while offering more choices for coverage.
3. Are there any new or lesser-known group products you think brokers should be talking to their clients about right now?
As I mentioned earlier, we have been watching an uptick in voluntary benefits being offered over the last few years. Dental and Vision plans have always led the way, but Accident and Critical Illness plans are gaining lots of momentum. These plans help employees offset their out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident or illness. As deductibles and out of pocket maximums continue to rise, these are great products to help protect against any financial hardships.
4. What products does MWG offer that could benefit individual clients, especially those who aren’t part of a group plan?
MWG’s Insurance for Everyone platform offers individual plans from multiple carriers in all 50 states. Dental and Vision are our most popular plans but we also offer Telemedicine and Identity Theft Protection. As our lives continue to become overly digitalized, we feel like having Identity Theft Protection in place can protect you from the inevitable attempts to steal your personal information. We also offer telemedicine plans that saw a huge boost in acceptance and popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when visiting a doctor for minor issues became very impractical. Having these plans in your back pocket to offer your clients just adds to the value that you can bring to the table.Final Thoughts
As the benefits landscape continues to shift, Ben’s insights remind us how important it is to stay flexible, informed, and ready to meet clients where they are. Whether it is helping employers cut costs, offering more choices through voluntary benefits, or providing strong individual coverage options, MWG Broker Services is here to support agents every step of the way. Thanks to leaders like Ben, we’re staying ahead of the curve—and helping agents win. Want to learn more about any of the products Ben mentioned? Reach out to our team, we’re here to help!