Employee benefits
Tailoring a solution that works for you
Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation employee benefits consultation
Invest in your employees’ satisfaction
Offering a well-rounded selection of benefits gives your employees confidence and security to be their best at home and at work.
employees say improving their benefits is the one thing their employers can do to keep them in their jobs—second only to pay.
Source: Aflac. 2020-2021 Aflac WorkForces Report.
What we offer
Receive guidance and advice on any program or service you choose to offer.
Robust employee benefits offerings provide your employees with an added layer of security. Even for employees who self-insure or use their partner’s insurance, having insurance opportunities through your company provides options if their situation changes.
- Medical insurance
 - Dental insurance
 - Group life insurance
 - Long-term disability
 - Short-term disability
 - Vision insurance
 - Employee assistance programs
 - Long-term care insurance
 
When your employees are seeking additional coverage, your business can be their resource. With the right voluntary insurance offerings, your employees can be more confident and healthier, which can improve your business operations.
- Dental insurance
 - Life insurance
 - Long-term disability
 - Short-term disability
 - Long-term care insurance
 
We review the options you have available to your employees and suggest tax-efficient options for supporting their future and the future of their families.
- 401(k)
 - Profit-sharing
 - 403(b)
 - Defined benefit
 - Non-qualified
 - Simple IRA
 - SEP
 - Money purchase
 - 529 college savings plans
 
Benefits accounts are a simple way to add value to your employees’ lives. We help you shop cost-effective options and provide communication and digital tools that help you make the most of this offering.
- Premium-only section 125 plan
 - Flexible spending accounts
 - Health savings accounts
 
A full spectrum of employer support
From compliance to communications, at North Star, you have access to all the tools and support needed to develop a tailored benefits solution aiming to increase employee retention while reducing your workload.
Claims analytics
- Plan design and selection support
 - Medical and prescription analytics
 - Plan disruption analysis
 - Employee retention strategies
 
Insurance guidance
- Quote plans
 - Claims and billing assistance
 - Negotiate renewal
 - Plan comparison
 - Coverage and policy expertise
 - Application submission
 
Communications and marketing
- Health and wellness information
 - In-person or online financial wellness seminars
 - Healthy lifestyles/fitness programs
 - Employee newsletters and videos
 - Employee benefits communications
 
Compliance and legislation
- ACA and DOL compliance/Tools 6055/6056 Reporting
 - 1094/1095 filing
 - Human resources assistance
 - Employee benefit statements
 - Employee handbook
 
Online enrollment and human resources support
- Vacation tracking
 - Online enrollment onboarding/offboarding assistance plan
 - Design decision support employee portal/human resources intranet
 
Request more information and talk to a representative about our employee benefits portal
Our employee benefits team
  
    Chloe Becker, REBC®
Employee Benefits Account Manager
    
    Chloe Becker, REBC®
Employee Benefits Account ManagerAs a member of our employee benefits team, Chloe works closely with businesses to analyze, design, and administer comprehensive employee benefits programs.
Chloe brings with her extensive experience in client service and insurance administration, and she uses these skills to support business clients with the communication, training, and ongoing assistance needed to implement a successful employee benefits program.
  
    Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®
Senior Vice President
    
    Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®
Senior Vice PresidentAs Senior Vice President, Chase oversees the operations of Business Owner Solutions, Distribution Planning, and North Star’s insurance brokerage operations, which include Property and Casualty Insurance, Disability Insurance, Medicare/Individual Health, and Employee Benefits.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire with a degree in business administration and finance, Brakke joined North Star in 2008.
As a trained former financial advisor, Chase understands how to integrate complex strategies into overall financial goals. In his current role, much of his time is spent working directly with advisors and their clients and connecting them with North Star’s supporting team of specialists to serve clients holistically.
Chase is heavily involved in his community and has seen firsthand how financial literacy and preparedness can positively impact others. He serves as a board member for BestPrep, an organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4-12 through professional mentorship opportunities. Each year, Chase volunteers over 100 hours with the organization as an eMentor, classroom speaker, and student essay judge.
For his volunteer work in furthering financial literacy, Chase was the recipient of the BestPrep Bunzel Volunteer of the Year award in 2018, was recognized as a Notable Leader in Finance honoree by Twin Cities Business in 2021, and was named an honorable mention for the Volunteer of the Year award from Invest In Others in 2024.
Chase lives in Stillwater, Minn., with his wife, Jenn, and two children. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis, along with spending time with family, especially at his lake cabin.
Registered administrative assistant of Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 2701 UNIVERSITY AVENUE SE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414 | 612.617.6000
2024 BestPrep Service Award. Issued to the top volunteers in the BestPrep volunteer programs for those that go above and beyond in their commitment to the students and teachers of Minnesota. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
2024 Volunteer of the Year Award Honorable Mention Issued by Invest in Others. Nominees must be currently working as registered representatives, registered investment advisors, or financial advisors with a professional designation. Nominees must be active financial advisors, defined by spending at least 75% of their time providing financial consultation with clients. Nominees must have worked in this capacity for at least three years. Volunteer involvement with the nonprofit organization must be current and ongoing for at least three years. Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists are selected in each of the six categories with one winner being chosen for each award. Award finalists and winners receive generous donations from Invest in Others to their designated charities. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
2021 Notable Leaders in Finance Award presented by Twin Cities Business Magazine is nomination based and recognizes best-in-class executives across a range of industries in Minnesota. Nominations are submitted by work peers and community members. To qualify for this list, individuals must be serving in a C-suite or senior-level finance role in Minnesota, have at least five years of experience in finance, and have shown the ability to create significant, positive, and measurable results in their field. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Bunzel Volunteer of the Year 2018 issued by BestPrep. BestPrep picks the winner from all the volunteers of the named year. . Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Awards are based primarily on commissions, premiums, or fees generated from investment and insurance products and other criteria relative to leadership & achievement. Working with this individual or firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
The charitable entities and/or fundraising opportunities described herein are not endorsed by or affiliated with (BD name) or its affiliates. Our philanthropic interests are personal to us and are not reviewed, sponsored or approved by Cetera.
  
    Helina Hailu
Benefits Coordinator
    
    Helina Hailu
Benefits CoordinatorAs a member of our employee benefits team, Helina works closely with businesses to coordinate successful employee benefits programs.
  
    Nicole Behrens
Administrative Assistant
  
    Mira Wood
Benefits Specialist
    
    Mira Wood
Benefits SpecialistAs a dedicated Benefits Specialist on our team, Mira collaborates closely with businesses of all sizes to implement and oversee employee benefits initiatives.
With experience in both client relations and insurance management, Mira helps provide tailored support to businesses through communication, training, and continual guidance essential for the effective use of employee benefits programs.
