Resources
Benefits broker resources: templates and guides.
Guides, tutorials, and best practices to help you get the most out of Planlined
Featured Resources
Start with the guides teams use every renewal season
These deep dives walk through the exact workflows agencies use to automate comparisons, build proposals, and present results that clients immediately trust.
Workflow tour: Carrier documents to client delivery
Follow the complete Planlined workflow: verify carrier-file data, compare a strategy, and create the client-facing materials from the same case.
- Bring PDFs, SBCs, and spreadsheets into one case
- Review uncertain fields beside their source document
- Use Scenario Manager before you adopt a recommendation
Template Pack: Free Benefit Comparison Template Suite
Downloadable Excel + PDF templates that match how brokers present plan comparisons, contribution scenarios, and summary notes.
- Three ready-to-use Excel workbooks with formulas
- Client-facing PDF template for executive summaries
- Instructions for swapping in your agency branding
Source-verified document intake
See how Planlined organizes carrier files and lets your team review parsed benefit data next to the source material.
- Prepare PDFs, rate sheets, SBCs, and spreadsheets for intake
- Review fields and their supporting source material together
- Handle carrier-specific formats without rebuilding the case
Browse by topic
All resources
Guides, templates and tools.
- The Connected Benefit Proposal Workflow Guide · 6 min readFrom carrier files to client delivery in one case: source review, Scenario Manager, and the materials that go out.
- Free Benefit Comparison Template Template · 5 min readDownload free Excel and PDF benefit comparison templates. Perfect starting point before upgrading to full automation.
- Employee Benefits Booklet Template Template · 7 min readThe page-by-page structure for an open enrollment booklet, plus print specifications and distribution timing.
- Automatically Analyze PDF and Excel Benefit Files Guide · 12 min readLearn how AI extracts benefit data from PDFs and Excel with verification workflows that reduce manual re-entry.
- Free Side by Side Comparison Tool Tool · 8 min readCreate professional side-by-side health insurance comparisons. Compare benefits across multiple carriers instantly and free.
- Excel Benefit Analysis Template · 10 min readFree Excel benefit analysis template. Analyze health insurance benefits, compare plans, and calculate costs efficiently.
- Employee Payroll Deduction Calculator Calculator · 7 min readCalculate employee payroll deductions for health insurance. Show per-paycheck costs based on pay frequency and contributions.
- Free Benefit Proposal Tool Tool · 12 min readBring carrier files into a reviewable case, work a recommendation safely, and prepare client-ready materials.
- ACA Affordability Calculator Calculator · 10 min readCalculate ACA affordability for 2026. Free calculator determines if health plans meet the 9.96% safe harbor threshold.
- Benefits RFP Template Template · 15 min readFree benefits RFP template to request quotes from carriers efficiently. Includes pre-built questionnaire for all benefit types.
- SBC Comparison Tool Tool · 8 min readBring SBC documents into one reviewable case and compare confirmed plan details side by side.
- Group health insurance comparison spreadsheet Template · 6 min readFree Excel workbook: 22 plan fields, rates by tier, employee cost per paycheck.
- Employee benefit guide generator Tool · 6 min readTurn the approved comparison into a branded employee guide with enrollment steps.
- Quick Start Guide Guide · 10 min readStart with carrier files, review the case, work a recommendation safely, and prepare client delivery.
- Document Upload Best Practices Guide · 8 min readLearn how to prepare and upload documents for maximum accuracy with our AI parser.
- Scenario Manager Feature guide · 12 min readFork a working case, compare strategies, and deliberately adopt the path you want to carry forward.
- Benefits Invoice Reconciliation Feature guide · 8 min readCompare carrier invoice enrollment and rates with census data, review mappings, and investigate discrepancies without silently guessing.
- Rate Negotiation Analysis Feature guide · 7 min readBuild the current-versus-renewal baseline, model credible alternatives, and prepare documented carrier and client discussions.
- Proposal Branding Guide Guide · 5 min readCustomize proposals with your agency branding for a professional look.
- Multi-Carrier Comparisons Tutorial · 15 min readCompare plans from multiple carriers side-by-side with advanced filtering.
- Benefits Trends: 2025 Data, 2026 Changes Report · 20 min readEmployer health benefits in 2025 from the KFF survey, plus the IRS limits that change for 2026.
- Carrier Quoting Template Template · 8 min readFree spreadsheet for organizing carrier quotes: track submissions, normalize formats, and compare rates side-by-side.
- Stop-Loss Insurance Calculator Tool · 10 min readSize stop-loss coverage for self-funded plans and find the right specific and aggregate deductibles.
- MLR Rebate Calculator Tool · 8 min readEstimate Medical Loss Ratio rebates for your clients, and see how the 80/20 rule splits them between employer and employees.
- ERISA Compliance Checklist Checklist · 12 min readForm 5500 filing requirements, SPD rules, fiduciary duties, and audit thresholds in one checklist.
- PEO Comparison Checklist Checklist · 9 min readCompare master health plans, admin fees, bundled services, and total cost of engagement across PEOs.
- Dental & Vision Plan Comparison Tool · 10 min readCompare dental and vision plans across carriers: networks, coverage levels, costs, and PPO vs DHMO trade-offs.
Templates & Calculators
Free templates and calculators for the work between renewals
Spreadsheets, calculators, and comparison tools for the recurring parts of a renewal, free to use and with no email required.
Benefit Analysis Template Pack
Excel workbooks, PDF exports, and reusable comparison tables that match how brokers scope medical, dental, vision, life, and disability.
- Side-by-side comparison tables for every coverage tier
- Contribution modeling formulas with employer vs. employee costs
- Ready-to-brand PDF proposal layout for client meetings
Calculators & Compliance Helpers
Interactive worksheets for payroll deductions, ACA affordability, and contribution strategies that keep renewals compliant.
- Per-paycheck payroll deduction projections for every frequency
- One-click ACA 2026 safe harbor validation
- Contribution guardrails for part-time and management tiers
Comparison & Proposal Tools
Use the free side-by-side, SBC comparison, and proposal tools to visualize carrier data before you ever export from Planlined.
- Generate carrier-neutral comparisons from reviewed case data
- Automate SBC field mapping without rebuilding tables
- Upgrade to branded proposals with a single click
Learning Paths
Planlined implementation blueprint
Follow the same four-step path our onboarding team uses with new agencies. Each step links to a tactical guide so you can move at your own pace.
Bring carrier files into a case
Upload the carrier packet, organize the files, and review the plan data with the original documents close at hand.
Verify the plan data before modeling
Resolve the fields that need attention, then use the case data for plan comparisons instead of retyping it into a separate workbook.
Compare strategies in Scenario Manager
Create a safe working copy to test contribution and enrollment choices, compare totals, and adopt the recommendation you want to use.
Deliver the recommendation for every audience
Create the Proposal Book, run Present Proposal in the meeting, and prepare the employee-facing Benefit Guide from the selected case.
Live support & programs
Get help even after you download the templates
Join office hours, grab implementation checklists, or subscribe to the digest to stay on top of new releases.
Weekly office hours
Live working sessions where we review carrier packets, troubleshoot edge cases, and share workflow wins from other brokerages.
- Bring real client renewals for feedback
- See advanced upload + parsing demos
- Leave with next steps tailored to your book
Implementation checklists
Self-serve checklists and launch kits that get new team members confident in less than a week.
- Quick-start guide for new producers
- Benefits RFP template for quoting
- Launch kits for marketing and CS teams
Resource digest & updates
Monthly digest of new templates, automation tips, and comparison tactics pulled from real customer wins.
- New templates delivered to your inbox
- Coverage of compliance updates with examples
- Actionable ideas you can implement immediately
Resource FAQs
Still wondering what you get?
Here are the most common questions brokers ask before diving into the resource library.
Are these resources actually usable or just marketing?
Every item links to a live guide, template, calculator, or tool. There are no paywalls, no PDFs that require a salesperson, and no “coming soon” placeholders.
Which resource should I start with if I am brand new to Planlined?
Start with the Quick Start Guide to learn the interface, then grab the Benefit Comparison Template to mirror your current process before moving into automation.
Do you cover compliance topics like ACA affordability?
Yes. The calculators include ACA 2026 thresholds, payroll deduction modeling, and contribution guardrails so you can document how recommendations stay compliant.
Can I share these guides with clients or partner agencies?
Absolutely. Everything here was written to be client-safe. Feel free to forward links, embed calculators in Loom recordings, or include templates in onboarding packets.
Ready to Get Started?
Create your first proposal for free and see how Planlined can transform your workflow