Employer Benefits

A Complete Benefits Platform — Complimentary for Every Client

Buffer provides every employer client with a full-featured benefits administration platform at no additional cost. Online enrollment, payroll integrations, onboarding workflows, HR management, and ACA reporting — all included with your benefits relationship.

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Carrier & Payroll Integrations
600+
Pre-built connections ready to activate
Platform Cost to Clients
$0
Complimentary for all Buffer employer clients
Security Standard
SOC 2
Enterprise-grade encryption at rest & in transit
Platform Capabilities

What's Included in Buffer's Benefits Platform

Every employer client gets access to a comprehensive benefits technology suite. No add-on fees, no tiered pricing — the full platform is included with your Buffer relationship.

Core

Benefits Administration

Online open enrollment, plan management, and life event changes — all in one place. Employees select their benefits digitally, and elections flow directly to carriers. No paper forms, no manual data entry.

Connectivity

600+ Integrations

Pre-built connections to insurance carriers, payroll providers, and HR systems. Enrollment data, demographic changes, and deductions sync automatically — eliminating duplicate entry and reducing errors.

Payroll

Integrated Payroll

Benefit deductions and employee data sync directly with your payroll provider. New hires, terminations, and deduction changes flow automatically — keeping payroll accurate without manual intervention.

Onboarding

New Hire Onboarding

Digital onboarding workflows for new employees — I-9 verification, W-4 completion, direct deposit setup, benefits enrollment, and company policy acknowledgments. All paperless and trackable.

HR Tools

HR Management

Centralized employee records, document storage, organizational charts, and digital filing. Manage employee information, track certifications, store signed documents, and maintain a complete HR system of record.

Compliance

ACA Reporting

Automated Affordable Care Act compliance tracking for Applicable Large Employers. The platform monitors eligibility, generates 1094-C and 1095-C forms, and supports electronic filing to the IRS.

Time Off

PTO Tracking

Employees request time off, managers approve or deny, and balances update automatically. Configurable accrual policies, carry-over rules, and blackout dates keep your PTO program running without spreadsheets.

Security

Enterprise-Grade Security

SOC 2 certified infrastructure with encryption at rest and in transit. Role-based access controls, audit logging, and multi-factor authentication protect your employees' sensitive personal and benefits data.

Implementation

How It Works

Buffer handles the entire implementation. Your team does not need to manage any of the technical setup — we configure the platform, connect your carriers and payroll, and train your administrators.

01

Discovery & Configuration

We review your current benefits program, employee census, and existing systems. Then we configure the platform to match your plans, eligibility rules, and contribution structures exactly.

02

Integrations & Data Migration

We connect your insurance carriers and payroll provider, set up automated data feeds, and import your employee records. Existing enrollment data is migrated so nothing is lost in the transition.

03

Admin Training & Testing

Your HR team gets a guided walkthrough of every feature they will use — enrollment management, reporting, employee changes, and more. We test every integration before going live.

04

Go Live & Ongoing Support

Employees receive login credentials and can begin using the platform immediately. Buffer provides ongoing support for any questions, configuration changes, or issues that arise — year-round.

Connectivity

600+ Pre-Built Integrations

Buffer's benefits platform connects with the carriers, payroll systems, and HR tools your business already uses — eliminating manual data entry and keeping every system in sync.

600+
Total pre-built integrations across carriers, payroll, and HR systems
Real-Time
Enrollment changes and deductions sync automatically — no batch files or manual uploads
Zero
Manual data entry required once integrations are configured and active

Insurance Carriers

Enrollment elections, terminations, and demographic changes flow directly to your medical, dental, vision, life, and disability carriers. No more filling out carrier portals manually.

Payroll Providers

Benefit deductions, new hire data, and status changes sync with major payroll platforms. Deduction amounts update automatically when employees change plans or coverage tiers.

HR & Compliance Tools

Connect with HRIS systems, time-and-attendance platforms, and compliance tools to create a unified employee data ecosystem. One source of truth across all systems.

Eligibility

Who Gets Access

Buffer's benefits platform is complimentary for all employer clients. If you work with Buffer for your group benefits, you automatically qualify — regardless of company size or plan complexity.

All Buffer employer clients receive access to the full platform at no additional cost. There are no setup fees, per-employee charges, or feature tiers. Every client gets the same comprehensive technology.

Companies of any size — from five employees to five thousand — can use the platform. The system scales to your needs whether you are a small business or a large employer with complex benefit structures.

New and renewing clients are eligible. Whether you are just starting your benefits program with Buffer or have been a client for years, we will get you set up on the platform and manage the transition.

Multi-location and multi-state employers benefit from centralized enrollment and administration across all locations. One platform, one login, one set of reports — regardless of how many offices or states you operate in.

Common Questions

Benefits Platform FAQ

Direct answers to the questions we hear most from employers about Buffer's complimentary benefits administration platform.

Is the benefits platform really free?
Yes. Buffer provides our benefits administration platform at no additional cost to all employer clients. There are no setup fees, no per-employee-per-month charges, and no hidden costs. It is included as part of your benefits relationship with Buffer Insurance.
Do my employees need to install any software?
No. The platform is entirely web-based and accessible from any device with an internet connection — desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Employees log in through a secure browser portal to enroll in benefits, view plan details, update personal information, and more.
How long does it take to set up the platform?
Most implementations are completed within two to four weeks, depending on the complexity of your benefits program and the number of integrations required. Buffer handles the entire setup — plan configuration, carrier connections, payroll integration, and employee data migration — so your team does not need to manage the technical work.
Can the platform integrate with our payroll provider?
Yes. The platform integrates with most major payroll providers to automatically sync employee deductions, demographic changes, and new hire data. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces payroll errors. Buffer configures and tests the integration as part of your implementation.
What happens to our data if we ever leave Buffer?
Your data belongs to you. If you ever transition away from Buffer, we will export all of your employee records, enrollment history, and plan documentation in a standard format that can be imported into another system. We believe in making transitions easy, not locking clients into technology.
Does the platform handle ACA compliance reporting?
Yes. The platform tracks employee eligibility, hours worked, and coverage offers throughout the year and generates the 1094-C and 1095-C forms required for ACA reporting. Buffer reviews the data for accuracy before filing so you stay compliant with Applicable Large Employer requirements.
Can employees make changes to their benefits outside of open enrollment?
Employees can make benefits changes when they experience a qualifying life event — such as marriage, birth of a child, loss of other coverage, or a change in employment status. The platform allows employees to submit life event changes online, and Buffer reviews each request to ensure it meets IRS and carrier requirements before processing.

See the Platform in Action

Schedule a call with Tonya and she will walk you through the platform, answer your questions, and show you exactly what your team and employees will experience.

Schedule a Call with Tonya →
Tonya Falzett, Benefits Advisor — specializes in employer benefits and benefits technology implementation
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