BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE: The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s (SMMC) newest benefit is underway with the rollout of our voluntary employee benefit package from Transamerica; a great opportunity for employers of all sizes to offer employees and their families comprehensive coverage. This gives chamber businesses the ability to attract and retain great employees, as they feature very competitive group rates and guaranteed underwriting.

The new SMMC Plans include shortterm disability, cancer, critical illness, accident coverage, and term life insurance. Chamber members can offer the flexibility of these plans without the added cost of a traditional plan. The increasing cost of employee benefits has forced many companies to raise deductibles and out-of-pockets, shifting the cost to the employee. The new chamber sponsored plan offers a suite of products to employers, so that employees can choose the right plan to fit their needs.

Health care reform has brought insurance to the forefront of many employees and employers alike. Sixty-five percent of employees say it is important that their employer offer these products. However, 47 percent of employees surveyed have not been offered an additional voluntary product since health care reform was implemented in 2010. These statistics were derived from an online nationwide survey recorded by Harris Interactive on behalf of Transamerica Employee Benefits (TEB), a marketing unit of Transamerica Life Insurance Company.

Additional survey results show respondents’ engagement in voluntary products and their desire to purchase them.

— Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62 percent) said they are at least somewhat likely to purchase voluntary products in order to make sure they and their family have the right choices for their health care situation.

— Employees consider price, need and fear of inadequate coverage as most important when purchasing voluntary products.

— Nearly one-half (46 percent) of respondents say it is likely or very likely that they would remain at their current employer primarily due to the voluntary products package offered.

The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber has a dedicated service team to educate and assist employees, with an easy online enrollment portal and in-person benefits educators providing individualized needs assessments for employees to help them select the right product for them and how they relate to their current benefits.

Want to find out more information? Contact our partner Northern Benefits at 347-1954 to set up a review of the SMMC Transamerica Plan.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

— June’s Chamber After Hours is tonight, Wednesday, June 25 and hosted by People’s United Bank at its 112 Maine St., Brunswick branch. The event is open house style from 5 to 7 p.m. Business owners and their staff are invited to attend free of charge for some of the most energetic networking in the Mid-coast region. Simply Susie’s Catering co-hosts and will provide refreshments.

— The Chamber’s 12 @ 12 is July 1, noon to 1:30 p.m., and a good way to meet other SMMC members in a small group environment. It is sponsored by Wild Oats Bakery & Café and James Nylund, financial adviser with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Private Client Group. Contact James.Nylund@wellsfargoadvisors.com for an invitation.

See our scrolling calendar at www.midcoastmaine.com for more information and to register for all events. For some, the seating is limited. Don’t miss out.

Thank you to our annual sponsors: Mid Coast Health Services, Mechanics Savings Bank, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Burgess Computer, RE/MAX Riverside, The Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, Electricity Maine, Coastal Ortho Performance Training Center, FairPoint Communications, Southern New Hampshire University, Parkview Adventist Medical Center, Atlantic Regional FCU, TownSquare Media, The Cryer, WCME Radio 9 and The Times Record.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: The chamber welcomes Blueberries Restaurant (located on Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham) and Boco Video Productions, based in Bowdoinham.

The chamber proudly serves 760 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.