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Maximizing ROI with UKG PRO®: Employee Benefits

Oct 27, 2025 | Human Resources, Post Go-Live, UKG Pro

 

Previously, we discussed how to make the most of UKG Pro in various aspects of HR management in general. Now, let’s dive into a specific area where you can see a sizable ROI: employee benefits.

Benefits are one of the largest expenses for any company, but they’re also essential for employee satisfaction and retention. A well-managed benefits package can make all the difference in attracting and retaining top talent. Employees expect transparency, ease of use, and flexibility in their benefits plans, and companies need to provide that without incurring excessive costs.

That’s where UKG Pro comes in. By automating enrollment and centralizing benefits management, UKG Pro streamlines processes that are traditionally time-consuming and prone to errors. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of mistakes, ensuring employees receive the correct benefits and remain satisfied with their overall compensation. 

 

Automating the Open Enrollment Process 

UKG Pro Suite offers a self-service portal that streamlines the open enrollment process, allowing employees to manage their own benefits selections during designated periods. Instead of relying on HR for every modification or question, employees can review, select, and update their benefits independently—within the open enrollment window or following a qualifying life event. This automation not only frees up valuable time for HR teams but also minimizes the risk of human error and reduces paperwork, ensuring that the benefits selection process is both efficient and compliant with enrollment timelines.

 

Providing Mobile Access for Remote Employees 

In today’s increasingly remote work environment, mobile access is crucial. UKG Pro provides employees with mobile access to their benefits information, enabling them to make updates or enroll in new benefits from anywhere, whether they’re at home or traveling. This feature is particularly valuable for dispersed workforces, ensuring that everyone has easy access to the tools they need. 

From an ROI perspective, this mobile accessibility reduces administrative overhead. Employees can handle their benefits needs without requiring HR’s constant involvement. The ability to manage benefits on the go also boosts employee satisfaction, as it offers convenience and control. 

 

Sending Clear and Customizable Communications

One key to successful benefits enrollment is clear communication. UKG Pro includes tools for creating and sending customized communications about options, deadlines, and any necessary updates. With tailored messaging, companies can reduce confusion and increase engagement during open enrollment periods. 

For example, UKG Pro can send push notifications to remind employees of upcoming deadlines or prompt them to review their benefits. These reminders keep the process moving smoothly, ensuring that employees don’t miss out on important updates while minimizing the workload on HR teams. 

 

Enhancing the Employee Experience with Personalized Offerings

UKG Pro enables companies to tailor their offerings to meet individual employee needs and preferences. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, employees can choose from a variety of options, such as healthcare plans, retirement savings, or wellness programs that align with their life stage or personal circumstances. For example, a younger employee might prioritize student loan repayment, while an employee with a family might opt for expanded healthcare coverage.

By providing personalized benefits, companies can foster higher levels of engagement and satisfaction. Employees who feel that their unique needs are recognized are more likely to remain loyal, reducing costly turnover. The ROI of this approach is clear: lower recruitment costs, improved employee morale, and better long-term engagement. 

 

Leveraging Data Analytics for Strategic Benefits Management

Data-driven decision-making is essential to optimizing any aspect of workforce management, and benefits administration is no exception. UKG Pro equips companies with powerful analytics tools that enable a more strategic approach to benefits management, helping maximize ROI by ensuring that benefits programs align with both employee needs and business goals. 

For example, by analyzing trends such as healthcare plan enrollment rates, wellness program participation, or retirement savings contributions, organizations can identify which benefits are working and which may be underutilized. Armed with this data, companies can make informed decisions about adjusting their offerings. 

The result? By tailoring benefits offerings based on real employee preferences, companies can increase satisfaction while ensuring that they’re investing in the programs that matter most. This directly contributes to a more effective benefits strategy and a better ROI. 

 

Forecasting Future Costs for Budgeting

Effective financial planning requires not only understanding current costs but also forecasting future expenses. UKG Pro simplifies this process by providing detailed reports that analyze historical benefits data and predict future trends.

Using these forecasting tools, businesses can anticipate changes in benefits costs based on shifts in employee enrollment or changes to healthcare premiums, for example. This allows HR and finance teams to create accurate, data-driven budgets that avoid overspending on underutilized programs or being caught off-guard by unexpected cost increases. 

 

Staying Compliant with Benefits Regulations 

Benefits-related regulations are intricate and subject to frequent changes. UKG Pro simplifies compliance by automating key processes such as ACA reporting and COBRA administration. With built-in features designed to handle regulatory requirements, businesses can generate necessary reports, monitor compliance deadlines, and ensure all legal obligations are met without heavy manual intervention.

This automation not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error, which can lead to non-compliance. For example, ACA reporting requires precise tracking of employee work hours and benefits eligibility to ensure compliance with healthcare mandates. UKG Pro manages these details seamlessly, ensuring businesses meet their reporting obligations.

The ROI impact here is significant: by minimizing the risk of penalties and avoiding the costly repercussions of non-compliance, businesses can maintain smooth operations and protect their bottom line. Moreover, staying audit-ready at all times creates an additional layer of security and confidence. 

 

Automating Eligibility Tracking

Tracking employee benefits eligibility can be a time-consuming task, especially in larger organizations where workforce status and hours fluctuate. UKG Pro takes the burden off HR by automating the eligibility tracking process. It continuously monitors employee hours, status changes, and other criteria to ensure that employees receive the correct benefits according to their classification—whether full-time, part-time, or seasonal. 

This automation reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes, such as providing ineligible employees with benefits or failing to offer benefits to eligible staff. By ensuring accuracy and consistency, businesses can mitigate legal risks and avoid financial losses due to incorrect benefits administration. 

 

Unlocking the Full Potential of UKG Pro for Benefits Management 

Managing employee benefits effectively is a critical factor in retaining top talent and ensuring employee satisfaction. By leveraging UKG Pro for benefits management, businesses can significantly enhance their operational efficiency and optimize ROI. The platform’s robust features—from automating open enrollment and providing mobile access to using data-driven insights and ensuring compliance—streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and offer employees a more seamless and personalized benefits experience.

By eliminating manual errors, minimizing compliance risks, and providing real-time data for strategic decision-making, UKG Pro transforms benefits management into a powerful tool for driving employee engagement and satisfaction. These enhancements not only boost productivity but also create measurable financial returns, making it easier for businesses to manage one of their largest expenses: employee benefits.

Now is the time to unlock the full potential of UKG Pro for your organization’s benefits management. Explore its advanced features and consider consulting with experts to ensure you’re fully leveraging its capabilities. With UKG Pro, you can build a more productive, engaged, and satisfied workforce—while maximizing the return on your investment.

Author

  • Shadana Hill

    With over 20 years of HR technology experience, Shadana takes pride in her extensive HRIS management and application knowledge. In the past 7+ years she has focused on UKG client-side work managing all aspects of UKG Pro including core HR, payroll, recruiting, onboarding, performance, benefits and open enrollment, UTM, UTA, manager and employee self-service, BI reporting, dashboards, and system security. In addition to wide-spread systems expertise and multiple UKG certifications, Shadana also has a background in benefits administration. She loves the challenge of finding solutions to HRIS issues and thoroughly enjoys imparting her HRIS wisdom to educate users. She has a positive customer first attitude and strives to deliver results.

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