Alliant Expands Benefit Consulting Amid Rising Costs
Large employers in the Midwest are hiring expert advisors to manage a projected 6.7% increase in health benefit costs for 2026.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Insurance
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Alliant Insurance Services has hired industry veteran Karen Spangler as vice president of its Employee Benefits Group in Chicago. The expansion is part of a broader push to help large Midwest employers manage rising health benefit costs.
Why it matters
As projections indicate a 6.7% increase in health benefit costs for 2026, many employers are seeking strategic advisors to align benefit plans with business priorities. This shift aims to help companies manage rising expenses that impact both corporate budgets and employee compensation structures.
Health benefit costs are expected to climb 6.7% in 2026, following recent industry trends where employers faced an average cost of $18,500 per employee. These increases are driving companies to reevaluate their benefits strategy to mitigate the impact on their bottom line.
The players
Alliant Insurance Services
An insurance brokerage firm that provides consulting services to help employers manage employee health benefits and program performance.
Karen Spangler
The new vice president for the Employee Benefits Group who brings 14 years of experience from Mercer.
The details
Alliant Insurance Services has reorganized its employee benefits division into three regional tiers to better serve its client base. The addition of senior consultants across the Midwest is designed to provide local expertise to large employers facing complex health program performance challenges. By integrating benefits strategy with business priorities, the firm aims to assist employers in navigating the anticipated cost hikes.
Timeline
Karen Spangler joined Alliant Insurance Services on October 28, 2026.
Health benefit costs are projected to rise 6.7% in 2026.
Money Landscape
The hiring of benefit consultants reflects a broader industry push to address the upward pressure on corporate health spending. This trend follows recent findings from the 2025 Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, which highlighted the growing complexity of benefit management.
If you are a household decision-maker or business owner, monitor how your employer adjusts health plan designs or contributions in response to the projected 6.7% cost increase. Consider discussing your specific benefits package with a qualified financial or tax professional to optimize your household budget.
The takeaway
Large employers are aggressively hiring strategic advisors to combat the rising cost of health programs in the coming year. Workers should review their open enrollment documents carefully to identify changes to premiums or coverage limits that may arise from these corporate budget adjustments.
Further reading
For more on navigating rising health expenses, visit our Insurance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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Do you expect the cost of your employer-provided health benefits to rise in the coming year?
