Section 125 Cafeteria Plan FAQs: Payroll Tax Savings Questions Answered

What is a Section 125 Fully Insured Indemnity program?

A Section 125 Fully Insured Indemnity program combines two components:

Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code (also called a Cafeteria Plan) allows employees to pay for qualified benefits with pre-tax dollars. The IRS defines it as "a separate written plan maintained by an employer for employees that meets the specific requirements and regulations of section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides participants an opportunity to receive certain benefits on a pretax basis."

Fully Insured Indemnity means the benefits are backed by a licensed insurance carrier and pay fixed dollar amounts for specific health events—like doctor visits, hospitalization, or preventive care—regardless of actual costs incurred.

Together, this structure allows employers and employees to reduce payroll taxes while providing valuable supplemental health benefits.

Are there any out-of-pocket expenses for this program?

No. You will pay nothing extra out of pocket for this program. Our fees are covered with a portion of your tax savings.

How much can employers save on payroll taxes with a Section 125 plan?

Employers reduce payroll taxes by approximately 7.65% for each participating employee through Section 125 cafeteria plans. This includes savings on FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), FUTA (federal unemployment tax), and state unemployment taxes. Our clients save an average of $500 to $550 per employee per year in payroll taxes. For a business with 100 employees, that's approximately $60,000 in annual tax savings—at no out-of-pocket cost. Calculate your specific payroll tax savings.

What benefits do employees receive from Section 125 plans?

Employees receive comprehensive healthcare services through our fixed indemnity insurance, including virtual care (telemedicine), health assessments, prescription benefits, hospital coverage, emergency care, and preventive care. They also benefit from reduced taxable income through pre-tax payroll deductions, which increases their take-home pay by an average of 4%.

The fixed indemnity benefits pay fixed dollar amounts directly to employees, which can be used to cover deductibles, copays, or other out-of-pocket medical expenses—providing real financial protection beyond traditional health insurance.

Is this program IRS compliant?

Yes. Section 125 Cafeteria Plans have been part of the IRS tax code since 1978. Our program is fully insured through licensed insurance carriers and administered in strict compliance with IRS regulations, ERISA requirements, and applicable state laws.

What is the minimum employee count needed to qualify?

Our plans work best for businesses with 100+ employees or business owners with multiple locations. If you don't quite meet that criteria, please reach out and let's see what we can figure out together.

How long does implementation take?

Most implementations are completed within 30 to 60 days. This includes plan document preparation, employee enrollment, and payroll integration. Our team handles the administrative details to ensure a smooth rollout.

Does a Section 125 plan replace existing health insurance?

No. Our Section 125 cafeteria plan with fixed indemnity insurance is designed to complement your existing health insurance benefits, not replace them. The supplemental fixed indemnity benefits work alongside major medical coverage to provide additional financial protection for your employees while reducing your payroll tax burden.

Do all employees have to participate?

Participation is voluntary for employees. However, higher participation rates result in greater overall tax savings for your organization. We provide enrollment support and educational materials to help employees understand the value of the program.