Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Trusted Insurance Partner in Springfield
Employee Benefit Design is a full-service independent insurance agency specializing in employee benefits, serving businesses and individuals in the Ozarks region. With over three decades of combined experience, our team offers tailored solutions for group and individual health, dental, life, disability, worksite, compliance, and retirement products. We prioritize understanding each client's unique needs to create customized benefit plans that enhance recruitment, retention, and financial security. Our approach combines local expertise with access to top insurance carriers, ensuring competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage options.We emphasize compliance, risk management, and ongoing support to help businesses navigate complex regulations while protecting their workforce. Our family-first culture extends to clients, treating them as partners in long-term success. Backed by extensive industry knowledge and personalized service, we deliver solutions that go beyond traditional insurance offerings to address evolving business challenges.
Services
Group Health Insurance
Retirement Planning
Medicare Benefits
Compliance Audits
Disability Insurance
Dental Coverage
Life Insurance
Voluntary Programs
Vision Care
Administrative Support
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of local insurance expertise in the Ozarks region
- Our team provides tailored benefit solutions for unique business needs
- We implement compliance-focused strategies to minimize regulatory risks
- Family-owned business with personalized client service approach
- Access to multiple top-tier insurance carriers for competitive pricing
Services
Group Health Insurance
Customized group health insurance solutions help businesses attract and retain talent while managing costs. We offer fully insured and self-insured options with major carriers, focusing on compliance and affordability. Our plans include preventive care benefits that reduce long-term medical expenses through early detection of chronic conditions.
Retirement Planning
Comprehensive retirement planning services cover 401(k), SEP IRA, and pension plans. We help businesses implement tax-advantaged solutions that align with organizational goals while providing employees financial security. Our fiduciary guidance ensures compliance with ERISA regulations and optimal investment strategies.
Compliance Audits
Proactive compliance audit preparation protects businesses from costly Department of Labor penalties. We maintain wrap documents and essential paperwork while educating clients on COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA requirements. Our systems ensure immediate access to audit-ready documentation during regulatory reviews.
Disability Insurance
Short- and long-term disability programs protect employee income during medical leave. We design voluntary plans that complement existing benefits while offering pre-tax premium options. These programs help retain talent by providing financial security for unexpected health events affecting work capacity.
Administrative Support
End-to-end administrative support includes open enrollment management, employee education, and compliance documentation. Our online portal provides 24/7 access to benefit information while our team handles claims processing and plan administration to reduce employer workloads.
People
Ken Stephens
Principal Owner | Producer
With 35+ years in insurance, Ken founded EBD in 1997 after starting his career in 1985. He specializes in retirement plans and group benefits, holding FINRA/SIPC registrations. A Missouri State graduate, Ken combines industry expertise with community leadership to deliver client-focused solutions.
Kimberlee Nevins
Office Manager | Producer
As office manager and producer, Kimberlee manages daily operations while assisting clients with benefit solutions. With over 15 years at EBD, she brings hands-on experience in insurance compliance and administrative support, ensuring smooth implementation of complex benefit programs.
Drew Stephens
Group Producer
Specializing in Medicare and individual market solutions, Drew brings 12 years of experience to EBD's team. He focuses on connecting clients with appropriate coverage options while maintaining the family business's commitment to personalized service and community values.
Michelle Smith
Retirement Producer
Michelle specializes in retirement plan design and fiduciary compliance. With 18 years in the industry, she helps businesses implement tax-efficient retirement solutions while ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements through comprehensive plan management.
Charlotte Horsman
Group Insurance Producer
As a group insurance producer, Charlotte focuses on commercial benefit solutions. She has 10 years of experience guiding businesses through complex insurance decisions, emphasizing cost containment strategies while maintaining competitive employee benefit packages.
Questions
How do I choose the right group health plan for my business?
We assess your business size, budget, and employee demographics to recommend fully insured or self-insured options. Our comparative analysis of multiple carrier offerings ensures optimal coverage-to-cost ratios while maintaining compliance with all regulations.
What happens during a compliance audit preparation?
We review your current documentation, identify gaps in ERISA, COBRA, and HIPAA compliance, and create audit-ready wrap documents. Our process includes staff training on proper record-keeping and distribution procedures for essential benefit communications.
How does disability insurance benefit employers?
Disability programs protect employee income during medical leave, reducing turnover costs. Employers gain competitive advantage in talent retention while employees maintain financial stability for essential expenses during unexpected work interruptions.
What administrative support services do you provide?
We handle open enrollment management, employee education sessions, compliance documentation, and online portal administration. Our team also provides claims processing support, benefit communication materials, and HR policy guidance to streamline benefit management.
How do voluntary benefits work for small businesses?
Voluntary programs let employees choose additional coverage like critical illness or accident insurance at group rates. Employers benefit from increased retention without premium costs, as employees pay through payroll deductions at reduced individual rates.
What retirement plan options work best for mid-sized companies?
We recommend 401(k) plans with employer match options or SEP IRAs depending on business goals. Our solutions include fiduciary support, investment selection, and compliance testing to ensure plans meet both employee needs and regulatory requirements.
