About Us
Since 1999, SIG, an employee benefits firm, has been dedicated to partnering with our clients and providing exceptional customer service. The inspirational basis for our operating business principles is: “If you take care of Baltimore, Baltimore will take care of you.” This philosophy has instilled itself in our culture and practice of all employees. SIG has years of industry experience, which has given us an edge over the competition in the vast wealth of knowledge and resources we have gathered. Our employees are passionate about helping and forming long-lasting relationships with others, and when you partner with us, we become a true extension of your company.
In 2017, SIG and 23 other like-minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group. Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.
In 2023, we officially began embracing the Alera Group brand. What remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our business; we focus on bringing personalized solutions, expanding our capabilities, and deepening our resources nationally.
Mission
We go the extra mile to help navigate the healthcare system and marketplace for our clients in order to advise them on the creation of comprehensive benefits plans that align with their core values to maximize their investment while controlling their costs. Our team-oriented approach allows us to become an extension of our clients’ HR departments. Through our vast knowledge and resource base, we keep our clients educated and well informed with the ever-changing healthcare regulations and marketplace.
Core Values
In order to create the organizational culture we desire, we embrace and embody the following core values:
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Passion
- Collaboration
- Excellence
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Emily Heuler
Senior Account Manager
Emily joined the firm in 2020 and is currently a Senior Account Manager. She brings with her 6 years of insurance industry experience. Emily works with primarily small group clients. In her role, she assists clients with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, claims, renewals, and day-to-day support. She researches, reviews and resolves claim and enrollment issues promptly and offers valuable support for group administrators and employees. She ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing from Virginia Tech as well as a Life and Health license.
Amber Hill
Account Coordinator
Amber joined the firm in 2023 as an Account Coordinator. In her role, she assists Account Managers with all aspects of customer service, including benchmarking, audits, open enrollment, client collateral and day-to-day support. Amber brings a wealth of experience, with more than 10 years working in customer service.
Latifah Hill
Senior Benefits Administrator
Latifah joined the firm in 2014 and is a Senior Benefits Administrator. Latifah is responsible for customer service, administration and ongoing service of large, multi-site groups. She also supports the account managers by regularly conducting audits for their clients.
Janet Hopkins
Client Operations Manager
Janet joined the firm in 2013 and is a Client Operations Manager. In her role, she assists Account Managers with all aspects of account implementation and the annual marketplace review process. She mainly supports mid-size to large clients. Janet has 16 years of industry experience and holds a Life and Health License.
Community Service
Paying it Forward is a core component at our firm. Our culture thrives on community involvement where we proudly support our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Navigating Medicare
The knowledgeable team at Alera Group is here to help you navigate your Medicare options to ensure you feel confident in your post-65 healthcare coverage.
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Designing Benefits for Mid - to Late-Career Employees
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career benefit strategies, review legal and compliance trends, and provide actionable tools and resources.
February 18, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Specialty Rx Control: Why One Category Is Breaking Budgets — and How to Bend the Curve
Where specialty cost escalates (channel, site of care, waste, poor pathways).
February 19, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
IRS Releases Guidance Related to Recent HSA Changes
The IRS recently released Notice 2026-5, which provides guidance and answers to common questions related to the expanded availability of health savings accounts (“HSA”) under the Reconciliation Act (previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) passed into law earlier this year.
December 30, 2025
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Legal Alert: Agencies Clarify How Certain Fertility Benefits May be Treated as Excepted Benefits
This alert is of interest to all employers that offer fertility benefits or may be interested in offering fertility benefits in the future.
November 4, 2025
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Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor health FSAs and qualified transit plans, among others.
October 10, 2025
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2025 Leave Report: Insights to Guide 2026 Leave Planning
Explore Alera Group’s 2025 Leave Report. Benchmark PTO, parental leave, and holiday policies to strengthen employee retention and recruitment as you plan for 2026 and beyond.
October 1, 2025
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