Independent Group Benefits Broker · Kelowna, BC
Group Benefits for Businesses Across the Okanagan
Benefits. Handled. Flexible, stable health, dental, life, disability & critical illness plans, built around your team, not a one-size-fits-all template.
About Sterling Benefits
Local, Independent, and Built Around Your Business
We specialize in making benefits simple, predictable, and flexible for businesses of every size. Based in Kelowna, we work with businesses throughout the Okanagan, and welcome referrals from across British Columbia and Alberta, providing the coverage your team needs while working to keep your plan stable, whether you're growing or need to scale back.
Benefits don't need to feel unpredictable or inflexible. Get in touch with our team today.
What We Cover
Plans Built Around How Your Team Actually Works
Health & Dental Benefits
Extended health, dental, prescription, practitioner, vision and travel coverage, optional child orthodontics, and group RRSP's. We advise on renewal selection, and design benefits structures to support your business goals no matter your size.
Explore health & dental plans →Life, Disability & Critical Illness
Optional protection for your team and your key people, layered on top of your group plan so a serious illness or injury doesn't become a financial crisis too. Additional options are available on a private level as well.
See life & disability options →Compare My Current Plan
Upload your current benefits booklet and a recent billing statement or renewal letter, and get an honest, no-obligation look at where your plan stands, and whether or not its structure and renewal type support your business goals.
Compare your current plan →How We Build Your Plan
Benefits planning starts with understanding your business, your employees, and your goals.
Consultation, and assessment.
Every business is unique in some way, and we take the time, ask the questions, and find the right solutions. There are many ways to structure a benefits plan, and the structure needs to align with your business before the specifics of cost and plan design can be addressed.
Renewal selection.
You may not have had this choice before, and getting this right is the foundation for everything else. Upon assessing key factors in your business, you may choose to use a fully pooled renewal, a pooled flex renewal, a claims rated renewal, a claims rated flex renewal, or an ASO renewal. In some cases, a combination of these also works well. Regardless of your decision, you deserve to understand the different renewal mechanisms, so that benefits decisions can be made strategically, rather than just hunting for a lower premium every couple of years.
Class Creation
Even a business with only one employee likely needs a class distinction, as the needs of the owner likely vary from that of the employee. Larger businesses often benefit from proper class structures, and options for the employees in each class. This allows for structure that supports business objectives and goals, while increasing engagement and satisfaction among the employees by offering them choices.
Plan Design Creation or Selection, and Roll Out.
This can sometimes be a quick process, other times it requires careful choices. Either way it always requires attention to detail, communication, and planning so that the rollout is smooth for everyone. We handle all the administration, so that once your choices are made, you can move on to the other interests of your position or company.
Our Carrier Network
A Wide Carrier Network, So You're Not Stuck With One Option
Whether you need the security of a large pool without sacrificing flexibility, or just better planning within the options available in the open market, we can help.
Compare My Current PlanWhat Clients Say
Real Businesses, Real Results
“Ralph was incredibly patient with me. He walked me through customized options where our staff can fully utilize their benefits without breaking the bank for us as the employer, so nobody needs to overpay for things that don’t get used.”
“Ralph manages all our company benefits, hands down the best customer service in the industry. He takes the time to ask questions to thoroughly understand what’s needed even if I didn’t know exactly what I was looking at or why.”
“Ralph at Sterling Benefits was able to offer my painting company an unbelievable benefit package that has helped me hire great employees because of this.”
“Ralph’s customer service is outstanding, he goes above and beyond to ensure clients receive the best health and dental benefits packages tailored to their needs… He’s able to customize amazing packages for people who are self-employed and for small to medium size businesses.”
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is group benefits worth it for my business?+
That depends on your goals and how you think about attraction and retention. Benefits are one of the most tax-efficient ways to pay your employees, and they're a big part of why people choose to stay. If you're asking the question, it's worth a short conversation. The decision is always up to you.
My renewal came in high and rates keep climbing. Is there something more stable?+
Often, yes, but the real driver behind a bad renewal isn't always usage. Administration costs and how your plan is rated (fully pooled, flex rated within a pool, claims rated, or ASO) make a big difference, and most groups never actually got to choose. Understanding which option fits your business is exactly where we start.
I already have an HSA, why would I need group benefits too?+
HSAs are great when your health costs stay predictable, but they aren't built for the unpredictable. Cancer drugs can run around $6,500 a month, epilepsy medication near $5,000 a month, and some biologic drugs cost hundreds of thousands per injection. A group plan with fully insured drug coverage means that risk sits with the insurer, not with you. An HSA works best as an add-on to a group plan, not a replacement for one.