Are your clients asking tough questions about PEOs as Open Enrollment approaches? Concerns like “Will I communicate the right information?” or “Is this too expensive?” often surface at the exact moment when decisions need to be made.
This article is designed to help you cut through the confusion. By addressing common misconceptions head-on, you can guide clients toward confident decisions while reinforcing your value as a trusted advisor.
Here is what you will learn:
- Why a PEO matters to your clients and how it supports their biggest priorities
- The most common misconceptions about PEOs and clear explanations to address them
- A simple blueprint for client conversations during Open Enrollment
- How PrestigePEO partners with brokers to keep you at the center of every relationship
With these insights, you will be prepared to handle objections, showcase real value and position PrestigePEO as the partner that strengthens your client relationships.
Why a PEO Matters to Your Clients
Your clients are looking for more than insurance quotes. They need a way to compete for talent, stay compliant, and control costs without adding more administrative burden. This is where a PEO makes a difference.
With PrestigePEO, businesses can:
- Offer Stronger Employee Benefits: Access Fortune 500-level medical, dental, vision, voluntary, and ancillary plans that would be out of reach on their own.
- Stay Compliant and Reduce Risk: Get guidance on ACA, COBRA, ERISA, and employment regulations that can overwhelm smaller HR teams.
- Streamline HR and Payroll Administration: Free up internal resources so business leaders can focus on growth instead of paperwork.
For brokers, positioning PrestigePEO is not about explaining what a PEO is. It is about showing how these advantages translate into real outcomes for your clients: lower risk, reduced administrative work and stronger employee benefits that improve retention.
Addressing the Real Misconceptions Your Clients Face
Even when the advantages are clear, many small and medium-sized businesses hesitate because of common misconceptions about PEOs. These concerns can create doubt, even when the solution is the right fit.
By understanding where these worries come from and having straightforward answers ready, you can keep the focus on outcomes that matter to your clients: control, stronger employee benefits, compliance support and time savings.
CONCERN:
I Will Lose Autonomy Over Employee Benefits Decisions
Explanation:
The employer retains full control over plan selection and contribution strategy. A PEO provides the menu of options, administrative support and decision-making tools, but the final choices always rest with the client. Additionally, PrestigePEO partners with you, the business’s broker, ensuring a unified, educated team approach to Open Enrollment decisions. This collaboration helps maintain consistency and keeps everyone on the same page throughout the process.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
The Renewal Portal models scenarios side by side, shows employer and employee impact and captures approvals so decisions stay transparent and well-documented. PrestigePEO assigns a Benefits Account Manager and a Benefits Specialist to each client. This dedicated team is available to support, educate and consult throughout the Open Enrollment process and decisions, not just for the client, but for the employees as well.
CONCERN:
Co-Employment Means I Lose Control
Explanation:
Co-employment only shifts administrative and compliance responsibilities. Employers maintain complete authority over hiring, performance management, culture and daily operations.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
PrestigePEO handles HR administration, payroll tax filings and compliance guidance while your client retains operational control at every step.
CONCERN:
PEOs Are Only For Big Businesses
Explanation:
PEOs are designed for businesses of all sizes. By pooling buying power, they make high-quality employee benefits and HR expertise affordable and accessible, helping SMBs compete for talent against larger organizations.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
PrestigePEO provides access to robust medical, dental, and vision options, plus voluntary and ancillary coverage. Clients also gain an experienced HR team and compliance support tailored to SMB needs.
CONCERN:
A PEO Will Be Too Expensive
Explanation:
The true measure is total cost of ownership. When you account for premiums, administrative hours, compliance exposure, and potential penalties, many SMBs find that a PEO reduces costs while increasing value.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
Transparent, line-item pricing and contribution modeling in the Renewal Portal make it easy to show exactly where dollars go and how decisions impact both the employer and employees.
CONCERN:
We Will Have Fewer Employee Benefits Choices
Explanation:
A strong PEO actually expands choice. Employers gain access to high-quality plans alongside tools and support that simplify selection, reduce confusion, and improve enrollment outcomes.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
PrestigePEO offers medical, dental, and vision plans along with voluntary and ancillary options, plus guided plan configuration and employee communications that make choices clear.
CONCERN:
All PEOs Are Basically The Same
Explanation:
Not all PEOs deliver the same value. Service models, employee benefits access, compliance depth and technology differ significantly. Selecting the right partner means focusing on outcomes that matter during Open Enrollment and throughout the year.
PrestigePEO Advantage:
PrestigePEO aligns priorities to SMB outcomes in this order: employee benefits, HR support, compliance and risk mitigation, payroll, workers’ compensation and retirement planning. This structure ensures clients receive meaningful support where it matters most.
Who Does What During Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs smoothly when everyone knows their role. Clear responsibilities prevent delays, reduce confusion, and give your client confidence that every step is accounted for. Here is how the process works when you partner with PrestigePEO:
- Broker: Lead plan strategy, educate stakeholders, review Renewal Portal models, prepare decision meetings.
- Business Client: Provide census and eligibility data, select plans and contributions, approve final elections, support internal communications.
- PrestigePEO: Provide plan menus and pricing, configure the Renewal Portal, guide compliance and timelines, support enrollment and communications and equip managers with clear instructions.
This division gives your client confidence that every step has an owner and a deadline.
Why Brokers Choose PrestigePEO
PrestigePEO was built by brokers, for brokers. Our model is intentionally designed to put your role first, protecting your client relationships while giving you the tools to strengthen them. From Open Enrollment through year-round support, we act as your partner, not your competitor.
Here is what sets PrestigePEO apart:
- No BOR (Broker of Record) Letters: Your clients remain yours.
- Transparent, Line-Item Pricing: Easy for you to explain, easy for clients to trust.
- Broker Visibility: You are always copied on client communications.
- Human HR Support: Real people, real expertise, available when your clients need it.
- Trusted Credentials: Industry certifications that reinforce your recommendations.
Connect with the PrestigePEO team today and see firsthand how our broker-first approach helps you address concerns, demonstrate value and guide your clients to confident Open Enrollment decisions.
