News & Events

We hosted an informative webinar discussing recent SECURE 2.0 updates and retirement plan compliance best practices. Special thanks USICG's Doug LaMendola and Karen McDonough for providing valuable insights!

If you missed it, you can watch the recording to learn more.

We had a great fireside chat discussing the pension de-risking landscape and opportunity in today's market. A special thanks to Tim Zawacki from S&P Global Market Intelligence and Bindu Patel from USI Consulting Group for providing valuable insights!

Learn more about mitigating pension plan risk and how we can help manage the complexities of a pension plan.

USI is proud to be recognized as one of Insurance Journal’s 2024 Best Agencies to Work For. This industry recognition is based entirely on employee nominations and reflects the dedication of our exceptional team members. USI’s SVP and Chief People Officer, Kim Van Orman, shared: “We are extremely grateful to our team members for nominating USI for this exciting workplace recognition, and for the strong sense of passion and commitment they bring to our firm each day.” Read more.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”) was recently named to the prestigious 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women list by Great Place To Work^® and Fortune. USI ranked 10^th and is the only insurance brokerage and consulting firm in the top 50 out of 100 recognized organizations across industries in the large company category. The Best Workplaces for Women list is based on an analysis of survey responses from nearly 600,000 women who work for Great Place To Work Certified™ companies that were eligible for the list.

Commenting on the announcement, Kim Van Orman, senior vice president and chief people officer for USI, stated: “I am extremely proud of our firm’s commitment to redefining what different and better looks like in a traditionally male-dominated industry. With women making up 60% of USI’s workforce, our culture of growth and innovation not only drives superior business results but also supports the advancement of women through tailored benefit offerings, professional development opportunities and unparalleled support programs.”

Michael Sicard, chairman and chief executive officer for USI, added: “USI at its core is a problem solver. And if you want to solve the most difficult and complex problems, focusing a diverse team of minds will produce the most robust solutions. Diversity, in all its forms, makes us better able to serve our clients and solve their most complex problems. We are honored to see USI represented on this year’s Fortune Best Workplaces for Women list, as we continue to foster and innovate an inclusive and empowering environment for women’s career growth and advancement at USI.”

The Best Workplaces for Women list is highly competitive. Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, determines its lists using its proprietary For All™ Methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1.3 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 8.2 million employees this year alone.

Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for women regardless of job role, race, sexual orientation, work status or other demographic identifier. Great Place To Work analyzed the gender balance of each workplace compared with Bureau of Labor Statistics industry data. Companies were also assessed on how representation changes as women rise from front-line positions to the board of directors. View the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women list.

USI is proud to be recognized for the second year in a row as one of the nation’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. The national Best and Brightest program identifies and honors organizations displaying a strong commitment to excellence in their HR practices and employee enrichment programs. Companies are assessed based on communications, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, and more. This honor reflects the outstanding work done each day by our more than 10,000 incredible team members across the country. Learn more.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”) was recently named to the prestigious 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance List by Great Place To Work^® and Fortune. USI ranked No. 24 out of 50 organizations selected for this year’s list and was the top-ranked insurance brokerage and consulting firm in the large company category. The Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list is based on an analysis of survey responses from over 194,000 employees at Great Place To Work Certified™ companies in the financial services and insurance industry. Earning a spot on this list means that USI is one of the best insurance companies to work for in the country.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Sicard, chairman and chief executive officer for USI, stated: “We are extremely proud to see USI recognized on this year’s Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance List. This recognition demonstrates our firm-wide commitment to creating a different and better employee experience here at USI. Congratulations to our more than 10,000 team members who contribute to our industry-leading culture each day, and thank you for the invaluable contributions you bring to our organization, clients and communities.”

Kim Van Orman, senior vice president and chief people officer for USI, added: “I am incredibly grateful to our exceptional team of professionals throughout the country for their dedication to USI, which led to this incredible honor. At USI, our people are at the heart of our organization, and we will always strive to provide them with an enriching employee experience that encourages innovation, collaboration and continuous learning, all while delivering superior business results.”

The Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list is highly competitive. Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, determines its lists using its proprietary For All™ Methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1.3 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 8.2 million employees this year alone.

Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status or other demographic identifier. View the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance List.

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, N.Y., USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals in approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI’s award-winning culture attracts best-in-class industry talent with a focus on innovation, technology, and industry expertise, along with a history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About the Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance List
Great Place To Work selected the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Financial Services & Insurance by analyzing confidential survey responses from more than 1.3 million employees, representing the experiences of 8.2 million employees in the U.S. in 2023 and 2024. Of those responses, more than 194,000 responses were received from employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies in the financial services and insurance industry, and these rankings are based on that feedback. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index™ Survey. Companies with 10 to 999 employees competed in the small and medium category. Companies with 1,000 or more employees were considered for the large category. Read the full methodology.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement consulting, today announced the results of its 11^th annual USI Gives Back campaign, an award-winning social responsibility program focused on supporting positive change in local communities across the country. Throughout June, July and August, in honor of the company’s 30^th anniversary, USI team members supported 1,100 community volunteer events. Collectively, team members volunteered more than 24,000 hours, representing a 66% increase over last year’s volunteer campaign. Additionally, 78% of this year's events supported one or more diverse or underrepresented groups. Since its inception in 2014, the USI Gives Back program has positively impacted over three million lives. 

“We are thrilled to share the positive impact our teams made through this year’s 11^th annual USI Gives Back volunteer campaign,” stated Kim Van Orman, senior vice president and chief people officer for USI. “It is incredibly rewarding to see our team members across the country embrace the spirit of this program, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting the diverse needs and charitable causes within the communities we serve.”

Michael Sicard, USI’s chairman and CEO, stated: “The spirit of our annual Gives Back community investment program is woven deep into our organization’s values and culture, representing a special time each year when our teams come together to refresh, rebuild, uplift and support the local communities we serve. I want to thank all of our team members for their invaluable volunteer contributions and for making this year’s extended volunteer campaign a tremendous success in honor of our 30^th anniversary.” 

For additional information on USI Gives Back, visit www.usi.com/community.

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, N.Y., USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals in approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI’s award-winning culture attracts best-in-class industry talent with a focus on innovation, technology, and industry expertise, along with a history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”) today announced an expansion of its ongoing support of nonprofit organization One Tree Planted to assist in the planting of over 30,000 trees in the U.S. as part of USI’s yearlong 30th anniversary celebration in 2024. This contribution will be made ahead of Plant a Tree Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, a global day of action that encourages tree planting, to promote urban reforestation, support the planting of additional trees in U.S. national parks, and help restore areas impacted by forest fires. Since 2019, USI has contributed to One Tree Planted’s mission by helping to plant more than 60,000 trees throughout the U.S. 

Kim Van Orman, USI’s chief human resources officer, shared, “We are thrilled to commemorate USI’s 30th anniversary by strengthening our commitment to creating a more sustainable environment and making a meaningful impact in the local communities we are privileged to serve. With more than 10,000 dedicated professionals across the country, this special contribution represents three trees planted for each of our team members in honor of USI’s 30 years of service, innovation and growth.”

USI’s Chairman and CEO, Michael Sicard, added, “We are honored to serve the thousands of local communities where USI team members are passionate and committed community members. Helping preserve and improve the environment in our communities, including those devastated by wildfires, benefits today's families and future generations and helps ensure a healthy future."

To learn more about USI’s commitment to the environment and award-winning culture of sustainability, visit usi.com/environmental-sustainability. To learn more about One Tree Planted and Plant a Tree Day, visit onetreeplanted.org.

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI’s award-winning culture attracts best-in-class industry talent with a focus on innovation, technology, and industry expertise, along with a history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

USI is proud to be recognized as one of Insurance Business America’s (IBA) Top Insurance Employers for the seventh consecutive year. IBA’s annual Top Insurance Employers program ranks leading U.S. insurance organizations based on a series of employee satisfaction metrics, including benefits, compensation, culture, employee development, and diversity. Learn more.

USI is proud to be recognized by Business Insurance as a Best Place to Work in Insurance for the fifth year in a row. This annual survey and workplace recognition program is conducted in partnership with Best Companies Group and consists of a two-phased employer and anonymous employee survey focused on workplace policies, practices, demographics, and overall employee experience. This industry recognition is a direct reflection of the outstanding work done each day by our incredible employees. Learn more.

Business Insurance’s U.S. Insurance Awards program celebrates exceptional work by insurance professionals working at companies across the commercial insurance industry. USI was honored to win the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year award for our 2023-2024 Career Track Early Career Recruiting Initiative, designed to attract and retain the next generation of diverse industry talent at USI. The 2024 awards event was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City on Thursday, July 18. Learn more. 

USICG’s 2024 Municipal Pension and OPEB Report reveals in-depth information on Connecticut public sector plans based on data extracted from the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR). Although ACFR data is extensive and sometimes difficult to understand in its raw form, our team of experienced actuaries have extrapolated the main findings, making it easier for plan sponsors to use the report to benchmark their own plans. Although the report analyzes Connecticut municipal plan data, inflation continued nationwide in 2023 making the study relevant to plan sponsors beyond this border. 

> Get your copy and benchmark your plans today.

The Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA) recently held its 66^th annual IMCA Ignite Conference and Showcase Awards ceremony in Orlando, FL, and USI was proud to place in two categories. Our 2023-2024 Career Track Recruiting Campaign won gold in the Employee Recruiting Campaign category, and our 2023-2024 I’m With U Monthly Diversity & Inclusion Discovery Theme Campaign won silver in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB) Communications Campaign category. These campaigns highlight the important, innovative work being done at USI. The IMCA Showcase Awards recognize the highest quality marketing and communications in the insurance industry. Read more.

Total Retirement Outsourcing has emerged as a solution for employers looking to leverage their human resources staff, keep up with new regulations and compliance duties and simply gain more value from the dollars they spend on their retirement programs. USICG’s National Sales Leader, Brian Robb, recently shared his insights on the value of this growing trend with PLANSPONSOR.  Check out the article to learn more about how TRO may help you.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the launch of PATH™ (patent pending), a proprietary technology-enabled risk control platform for clients. The new platform leverages industry-specific benchmark data to generate tailored risk control solutions to address organizations’ top claim drivers based on their industry, sub-vertical, size and geography, providing access to expert insights, innovative and customized solutions, quantified return on investment, and market-leading vendors at USI-preferred pricing.  

Developing an effective risk control strategy amid an ever-changing risk landscape can be daunting for organizations balancing cost and complexity. With PATH, businesses can access a leading-edge technology platform designed to address gaps in their risk management programs through a guided, analytics-driven experience that pairs risk management solutions with individual loss drivers to enable a streamlined, cost-effective decision-making process.

“Unlike Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote about the certainty of death and taxes – injuries, accidents and disasters are avoidable,” stated Michael Sicard, USI’s Chairman & CEO. “Using cutting-edge, technology-enabled solutions, PATH empowers businesses to prevent and abate risks before they emerge, protecting your treasure and health, providing a clear understanding of where your risks exist, what causes them, how to minimize and stop them from happening, with clear financial impact all the way through to tactical execution.”

USI’s National Technical Resource and Specialty Practice Leader, Renee Dube, added, “In an environment where risk management is more critical than ever, PATH sets a new standard by helping organizations transform their existing risk management strategies through targeted risk control guidance, access to exclusive vendor pricing, and dynamic financial modeling to assess the immediate and long-term economic impacts of different risk control solutions.”

For additional information on PATH, contact your local USI representative or click here to learn more and request a custom demo. 

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, N.Y., USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals in approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

We are pleased to announce that USI has been certified as a Great Place To Work^® in 2024! The Great Place To Work survey, a globally respected authority on workplace culture, explored various facets of our employees’ experience here at USI, from job satisfaction to their thoughts on our employee programs and benefit offerings. Participants shared insights on collaboration, communication, innovation, corporate image, and more. This recognition directly reflects our ongoing commitment to the inclusive, people-focused culture we are continuously innovating here at USI. Read more.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, has been named a winner of Glassdoor’s inaugural award for Best-Led Companies 2024 in the nation, ranking as No. 11 among companies across all industries in the U.S. with 1,000+ employees. USI is the only insurance brokerage firm among the recognized top 50. This award honors companies with leadership teams that go above and beyond to redefine the employee experience. Notably, unlike some workplace awards, Glassdoor’s awards importantly include and rely upon input over the past year from employees who anonymously submit a company review on Glassdoor.

“The honor of being recognized among the top companies across all industries, and the only insurance brokerage firm to be recognized, is a direct reflection of and credit to USI’s more than 10,000 team members who create, innovate and demonstrate USI’s ONE Advantage in our work with clients each and every day,” stated Michael Sicard, USI chairman and CEO.

Kim Van Orman, chief human resources officer for USI, added, “Our people are the driving force behind our firm’s success, and we have worked tirelessly to create a people-focused culture that delivers a differentiated employee experience. There are nearly 25,000 companies across the U.S. with 1,000 or more employees, so to appear on this list is truly an honor.” 

Glassdoor award winners for the Best-Led Companies 2024 are determined using Glassdoor’s proprietary awards algorithm, and each leadership approval rating was determined based on the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews submitted by U.S.-based employees between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024. During the year-long eligibility period, companies considered for the list must have more than 1,000 employees and receive at least 100 ratings across two leadership attributes: CEO job performance and senior management. Glassdoor’s complete awards methodology can be found here.

View Glassdoor’s list of the 50 Best-Led Companies 2024. To explore available career opportunities with USI, visit jobs.usi.com for a complete listing of our open roles. 

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. Headquartered in Valhalla, N.Y., USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals from approximately 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

USI Insurance Services (“USI”), a world leader in risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting, today announced the acquisition of Odessa, Texas-based Hignojos Insurance Agency. Founded in 2009, Hignojos Insurance Agency is an independent brokerage firm specializing in commercial and personal risk insurance programs. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with USI, an established industry leader in the insurance brokerage and consulting market,” stated Hignojos Insurance Agency Principal, Louis Hignojos Sr. “Our valued clients throughout western Texas and beyond will continue to benefit from the local, personalized services they have come to expect from our team of experts, and we look forward to introducing them to USI’s expanded suite of innovative solutions and expertise with a continued focus on helping them grow and protect their businesses and personal interests.”

USI’s Regional CEO, John Collado added: “We are excited to expand our Texas-based presence and expertise by welcoming the entire team of professionals from Hignojos Insurance Agency to the USI family. By partnering together, we look forward to leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^® to provide clients access to our proprietary and innovative solutions and network of local and national resources and expertise.”

About USI
USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, program and retirement solutions to large risk management clients, middle market companies, smaller firms and individuals. USI connects over 10,000 industry-leading professionals across more than 200 offices to serve clients’ local, national and international needs. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom-line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

USI is proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness for the second year in a row. This annual program identifies and honors organizations with the most innovative wellness, wellbeing, and human resource practices. Companies are assessed based on outcomes, analysis, tracking, participation, incentives, benefit programs, leadership, employee input, culture, and environment. Read more.

As we begin the first steps of our partnership with Burke Group, LLC, we're excited to share a great article from Pat Burke where he discusses the common traits in leaders.

It's important to reflect on the attributes of a successful leader and we most certainly look forward to Pat’s invaluable leadership to help us improve our services and client experience. Read Pat's full article here.

USICG’s SVP & Practice Leader of DC Consulting, Doug LaMendola, recently spoke with PLANSPONSOR to discuss How Sponsors Can Get the Most out of DC Plan Design Changes. “If the goal is trying to get employees to save, automatic enrollment and automatic escalation are going to be what moves the needle most,” LaMendola says. Read the full article. 

USI Consulting Group Acquires Burke Group

New Partnership Strengthens USICG’s New York-based Retirement Consulting Expertise

GLASTONBURY, Conn., Jan. 16, 2024 – USI Consulting Group (“USICG”), a national industry-leading, full-service retirement plan consulting and benefits administration firm, today announced the acquisition of Rochester, New York-based Burke Group (“Burke”). Founded in 1989, Burke is a regional advisory services firm specializing in retirement plan consulting and administration, actuarial services and compensation consulting. As part of the deal, USICG will not acquire Burke's compensation consulting business, and Burke will exit this business upon joining USICG. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“For more than 30 years, our team has maintained a strong identity as independent, thoughtful, transparent and objective advisors,” stated Burke Group’s Managing Principal, Patrick Burke. “I am confident this new partnership with USI Consulting Group, one of the largest national specialized retirement businesses in the U.S. and a premier provider of defined contribution and defined benefit plan consulting and administration services, will further enhance the value and expertise we deliver to our clients each day.”

USI Consulting Group President and CEO, Bill Tremko added: “We are thrilled to welcome the talented professionals from Burke Group to the USICG family and look forward to expanding our retirement consulting expertise throughout the upstate New York region.”

About USI Consulting Group
USI Consulting Group is a national industry-leading, full-service retirement plan consulting and benefits administration firm that has been helping employers enable their workforce to successfully plan and invest for retirement for over 45 years. USICG’s integrated team of highly skilled professionals provides specialized expertise in delivering independent, comprehensive guidance and innovative, flexible retirement plan solutions to meet the changing needs of employers and their employees. USICG is an affiliate of both USI Securities, Inc. (a broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC) and USI Advisors, Inc. (a federally registered investment adviser) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of USI Insurance Services (“USI”). To learn more, visit usicg.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Each year, Insurance Business America’s (IBA) “5-Star DE&I Awards” recognize leading U.S.-based insurance companies for their work to foster impactful, forward-looking diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) programs. For the second year in a row, USI was among only a select number of insurance organizations to receive this honor for 2024 in recognition of our ongoing efforts to build an increasingly diverse, equitable and inclusive culture at USI through our I’m With U DE&I program. Learn more.

USI is proud to be recognized by Newsweek as One of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2024. Newsweek partnered with Plant-A Insights Group, a market data research firm, to score companies based on their commitment to recruiting and advancing employees of various ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. The evaluation process includes an examination of publicly available data, interviews with HR professionals, and an anonymous online survey conducted among a diverse group of employees at companies across the United States. Participants shared insights on working environment, corporate culture, training and career progression, proactive management of a diverse workforce, and more. This recognition directly reflects USI’s ongoing commitment to the inclusive culture we are continuously innovating. Read more.