
YOUDECIDE ACQUIRES VOLUNTARY BENEFITS DIVISION OF REWARDSPLUS OF AMERICA
Acquisition allows YouDecide to offer a complete voluntary benefit program package to employers
DULUTH, GA April 2, 2007 — YouDecide.com, Inc., a leading provider of voluntary employee benefit products and services and a division of Vbenx Corporation, has recently acquired RewardsPlus of America Insurance Agency, Inc. (the "Agency"), a subsidiary of RealLife HR.
The purchase includes the Agency's SureDeduct/SurePay technology, the company's industry-leading, single-slot payroll deduction technology. The acquisition adds a voluntary customer base of more than 150,000 active employees, including 20 major accounts, averaging 8,000+ employee populations.
"With this acquisition, we combine the unique value propositions of two industry-leading technologies that individually changed the landscape of the voluntary benefits marketplace. Integrating these two programs sets the bar even higher and we will continue to set the pace for the industry over the next several years," said Peter E. Marcia, CEO of Vbenx Corporation.
"Our exceptional communications and delivery platform coupled with the SureDeduct/SurePay payroll technology will provide us with a unique advantage in the marketplace and firmly establish our leadership position in the voluntary employee benefits marketplace," Marcia continued.
"YouDecide has emerged as a superior employee benefits technology resource. Coupled with the acquired voluntary benefit resources of the Agency, we can offer a solution second to none in the marketplace today," said Tony Trani, president of Vbenx Corporation. "We are extremely excited with the reception our new offering is receiving everyone is anxious for this total voluntary benefit package that creates a comprehensive solution within the marketplace," he added.
Gary Broache, RealLife HR president and CEO, views the consolidation of the voluntary benefits platforms as the natural evolution of the business models. "As RealLife HR continues its focus on the growth of its core health and welfare outsourcing services platform, YouDecide became the natural partner for us in the voluntary benefits arena. This transaction allows us to provide our customers with an enhanced voluntary benefits solution while leveraging our existing SureDeduct/SurePay technology. We look forward to our partnership with YouDecide," he said.
YouDecide's voluntary benefit and discount programs augment an employer's core benefits, providing a means of strengthening an employer's compensation package as well as their corporate image with employees. "Combining YouDecide's breadth of traditional and non-traditional voluntary products and services with the Agency's payroll deduction capabilities allows us to offer a turn-key voluntary benefit delivery solution to employers," Trani said.
YouDecide's complete voluntary benefits platform for employers and associations now includes:
- Full portfolio of insurance and financial products offered on a group and individual basis;
- Real-time policy quoting on a broad portfolio of products including healthcare, disability, long-term care, automobile and homeowner insurance, as well as other insurance products and services;
- Wide selection of more than 75 consumer goods and services discount programs from quality partners;
- One-stop shopping via a dedicated toll-free number featuring qualified advisors, single destination website for all voluntary benefits tools, resources, information, purchasing and enrollment; and
- Single slot payroll deduction technology, including premium reconciliation and remittance to carriers.
"From retirement to healthcare, the trend in providing employee benefits clearly points to a continued shift in individual financial responsibility from the employer to the employee in the management of their personal benefits portfolio," Marcia continued.
"YouDecide is uniquely positioned to take advantage of such market trends with our technology platform delivering a high quality, customizable employee benefits experience in a secure environment for our clients. To that end, we believe this partnership with the Agency will allow us to be a dominate player in the voluntary benefits marketplace," Marcia concluded.
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About YouDecide
YouDecide.com, Inc., a division of Vbenx Corporation, is a leading provider of voluntary benefit and discount programs, offering a single destination web site for financial, insurance and employee discount programs. For over a decade, YouDecide has offered a diverse selection of competitive products enabling employees to compare rates; utilize educational and analytical tools; and make purchases at favorable prices through the Internet, corporate Intranet and telephone. YouDecide currently has over three million eligible corporate members and one million affinity and association members. For more information, visit www.youdecide.com or call 770-291-7500.
About RealLife HR
A nationwide leader in benefits management automation and outsourcing services, RealLife HR simplifies and automates benefits communications, enrollment and administration. Distinguished by an award-winning dedicated service delivery model, extensive US-based call center services compliment the company's technology foundation. Utilizing proprietary tools, most implementations of the RealLife Benefits® solution can be completed within 90 days. RealLife HR clients include a wide array of nationally recognized entities including adidas, Magellan Health Systems, Bombardier, US Airways, and the North Carolina Office of State Personnel. For more information, visit www.reallifehr.com.
