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.
RICHARD B. SILBERSTEIN, CLU, CHFC, RHU
Managing Director, Mid-AtlanticRichard Silberstein is the Managing Director of the Mid-Atlantic region. An employee benefits industry veteran, Richard founded SIG, now Alera Group, in 1999 to offer personalized, innovative, and cost-effective employee benefit solutions that meet the unique insurance needs of each of the firm’s clients. Under Richard’s strategic direction, the firm has steadily grown to become one of the leading employee benefits brokers and consultants in the country. With a team of highly skilled, licensed brokers and support staff, the firm serves more than 400 corporate clients in 45 states. Richard is a founding member of Alera Group, a firm that was formed in 2017 with 23 other like-minded, high-performing independent firms across the United States that is now the nation’s foremost independent insurance agencies.
Richard began his career in the insurance industry in 1981. In 1984, he joined Franklin/Morris Associates, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Washington and Lee University and earned the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) and RHU (Registered Health Underwriter) designations from the American College.
Richard is active in both his business and local communities. He serves on the Advisory Boards of Regional and National health plans to provide input for product and service offerings. He leads the East Region of Alera Group as well as the Benefit Advisors Network’s (BAN) Data Analytics Peer Group and is a member of BAN’s Marketing Peer Group. He is a member and past president of the Baltimore Estate Planning Council; member of the Board of Directors for Lexington National Insurance Company; past president of the Baltimore Chapter of the Society of Finance Professionals; past president of the McDonogh School Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Trustees of McDonogh School. Richard is also very active with the SIG Community Service Committee and enjoys working with area nonprofits including Living Classrooms, American Heart Association, South Baltimore Learning Center, Blankets for Baltimore, and many others.
Franco Acosta
Account CoordinatorFranco joined the firm in February 2020 as an Account Coordinator. In his role, he assists Account managers with managing benefit services for their clients. He provides assistance with renewals, claim issues and day-to-day support. Prior to being an Account Coordinator, he has experience working in Human Resources departments with benefits, employee relations and onboarding/offboarding. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from George Mason University.
Jillian Albert
Vice PresidentAs a Vice President, Jillian provides strategic account development and support for large fully insured and self-funded clients. Jillian ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. She is involved with the preparation of detailed plan design analysis, negotiating renewals, implementation and compliance. She manages internal and external resources to assist with client needs.
Jillian also manages a professional team that focuses primarily on large regional and national accounts. She joined the firm in 2004 and has been in the industry since 2000. She holds her Life and Health license.
Tracy Alt
AssociateTracy joined the firm in 1997 and is an Associate. Tracy is responsible for meeting the life, disability, and long term care needs of high net worth individuals, doctors and business owners, including estate and business planning. She also focuses on client needs from referrals by her financial planner, attorney, and CPA contacts. Tracy entered the industry in 1991 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
How Will the Economic Outlook Affect Your Talent Decisions?
What impact will the economic forecast have on your talent decisions? Seasoned People leader Julie East will lead a discussion to help us process how the future economy will affect the talent strategies within our companies.
June 18, 2024 at 11:30 am ET | Timonium MD
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Optimize Your Benefits: A Three-Pronged Approach
Want to lower healthcare costs and enrich your benefits program at the same time? If so, this webinar is for you.
June 20, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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[Alera Engage] Benchmarking for the Win: How Does Your Benefits Program Rate?
Ask our clients about the No.1 tool that helps them develop an impactful benefits program, and they'll tell you is benchmarking.
July 18, 2024 at 02:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: PCORI Fees Due by July 31, 2024
Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2024, deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) via Form 720, which was recently updated and released by the IRS.
June 7, 2024
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Legal Alert: CMS Redesigns the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program Beginning in 2025
As a result of the changes to Medicare Part D under §11201 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, on April 1, 2024, CMS released Final Redesign Program Instructions (“Final Program Instructions”) for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which are effective starting in 2025.
May 30, 2024
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Legal Alert: HIPAA Privacy Rules Amended to Require Protection of Reproductive Healthcare Information
On April 26, 2024, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued a Final Rule amending the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
May 15, 2024
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IRS Releases 2025 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2024-25, the IRS released the inflation-adjusted amounts for 2025 relevant to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
May 13, 2024
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