About Us
Group Benefits LLC is an independent, national insurance and financial services firm created through the merger of like-minded, high-performing, entrepreneurial firms across the United States.
Why work with Alera Group? Because we provide the best of both worlds - national scope combined with local service. Our mission is to transform the client experience by providing a greater depth and breadth of resources, innovative thinking and constant collaboration, while maintaining strong local relationships.
Meet Our Team
Peter Marathas Jr.
Chief Legal OfficerPeter Marathas serves as the Chief Legal Officer of Alera Group. Peter represented the original founders that formed Alera Group. After our formation he began to serve as its Secretary and its chief legal and compliance officer. He is also responsible for Government Relations. Peter has supervised over 200 acquisitions. He has contributed directly to Alera Group’s continued growth and success.
Peter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree from Bradley University. He also graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law with his Juris Doctor degree. Peter is a prolific author, writer, and active speaker on all employee benefits matters. Prior to beginning his professional career, Peter served for two years with the United States Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa.
Eddie McDoniel
Account ManagerFor over 30 years Eddie has been assisting clients in the insurance and healthcare industries. Prior to joining Alera Group formerly Group Benefits LLC in 2013 as an Account Manager, Eddie worked for 3 of the largest Fortune 100 insurance carriers. His previous experience includes customer service, provider relations, and medical management in addition to Account Management. Eddie’s professionalism and dedication to client service support the foundation and core values of our business.
Mary Murff
Account ManagerMary joined Alera Group formerly Group Benefits LLC as an Account Manager. With over 9 years of experience as an Employee Benefits Consultant, she has worked with companies of various sizes and funding arrangements. Mary helps employers develop and execute long term strategies for their benefits program to control costs, while considering their unique employee population, corporate culture, benefits philosophy, and overall goals.
Brian Parker
VP of Benefits TechnologyBrian Parker serves as the Vice President of Employee Benefits Technology and Services at Alera Group. Parker ensures that Alera Group firms offer the best possible Employee Benefit technology solutions to their clients, and that Alera Group continually evolves and offers the best solutions to support clients.
Prior to Alera Group, Parker worked as a Strategic Advisor at Businessolver, partnering with sales team members to identify client and prospect needs and pair them with a benefits technology solution. Before that, Parker held roles at Willis Towers Watson, Mercer, and formerly served as a Benefits Manager in both retail and manufacturing companies.
Parker holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Connecticut.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Is Tech-Enabled Brokerage Right for You?
Our experts will lay out what tech-enabled brokerage is, how it works and why it makes sense for the right organizations.
September 19, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce
Our experts will provide tips and insights about how to incorporate Medicare, menopause benefits, retirement, communications best practices and other hot topics for older workers into your program successfully and without breaking the bank.
October 17, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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When Captive Insurance Makes Sense
In this session, our experts will talk about how captives work, the advantages and disadvantages and what you need to know to determine whether they make sense for your organization.
November 21, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign UpTHOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Preparing for 2025: Creditable Coverage, Enrolling in Medicare and HSA Contributions
With significant changes coming in 2025 to creditable coverage determinations, employers and employees may have questions on what that means for them, whether they make the decision to enroll in Medicare Part D or continue to have coverage under their group health plan.
September 5, 2024
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Webinar: Better Benefits Administration and Lower Costs
If you don’t have expert assistance to guide you and your organization in the in using a sophisticated benefits portal, you’re wasting a lot of the money your business has invested — and probably frustrating the employees you mean to serve. Working with a brokerage that offers not only a leading-edge benefits portal but also year-round support and services enables your employees to seamlessly access, understand and navigate the portal, creating a positive benefits experience.
September 5, 2024
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Medicare Part D Creditability Determinations for Non-Calendar Year Plans
In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) added a voluntary prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. The benefit, known as Medicare Part D or “Part D,” is an optional program for Medicare beneficiaries to access covered prescription drugs at a lower cost. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed and set into motion changes to Part D benefits, with additional impact on employers in 2024 and 2025.
September 5, 2024
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Workers’ Compensation: Stable market with emerging challenges from mental health claims
Despite pressure from medical inflation, increases in fee schedules on medical procedures and wage inflation affecting premiums and benefits, Workers’ Compensation remains a stable and profitable line for insurers. This stability allows buyers favorable conditions, such as ample capacity and stable rates. However, a new trend is emerging: the inclusion of mental health claims as compensable workers’ compensation.
August 28, 2024
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