Willis Towers Watson and Stride Health to offer comprehensive benefits and guidance for contingent workers

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 07, 2017 -- Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ:WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced a strategic alliance with Stride Health, Inc., the leading benefits provider for independent workers. Together, the companies will provide employers with solutions for a growing segment of the economy — contingent workers such as contractors, part-timers and seasonal talent.

“Our clients are increasingly asking for ways to provide for the members of their workforces who are not full-time employees,” said Julie Gebauer, leader of Human Capital and Benefits at Willis Towers Watson. “Our alliance with Stride Health places us at the forefront of the transformation of work, and we are excited by the value we will bring to both the company and the contingent worker.” 

Willis Towers Watson brings expertise in helping employers attract, retain, reward and engage talent. Stride Health brings benefit and financial management solutions for contingent workers. Together, this provides a flexible menu of benefits and other services enabling companies to create new, differentiated worker value propositions and Total Rewards that cover their entire workforces.

Launched in 2014, Stride Health’s platform provides contingent workers with the security and peace of mind that, up until recently, was only available to those with traditional, full-time jobs. Specifically, Stride Health’s growing suite of offerings includes:

• Health coverage: Access to all major medical plans and personalized recommendations
• Customized dental and vision insurance
• Care planning: On-call carrier guidance, plan navigation and coverage support, including preventive visit planning and prescription discounts
• Tax guidance and income maximization: Tools to provide guidance on tracking tax deductions, maximizing health insurance tax credits and other subsidies, and understanding the tax liability that comes with being an independent worker

“By 2020, the number of contingent workers is expected by some sources to grow to 40% of the U.S. labor pool,” said Gebauer. “These workers need access to the benefits, security and financial stability that are traditionally available only to full-time employees. We are thrilled to combine our deep expertise with Stride Health’s innovative approaches to help meet the needs of this essential slice of the labor force.”

“We’re excited to team with human capital and benefits leader Willis Towers Watson to expand the availability of Stride’s suite of benefits and services,” said Noah Lang, co-founder and CEO of Stride Health. “Together, Willis Towers Watson and Stride Health fill a crucial gap for companies and level the playing field for independent workers. With 80% of large corporations planning to increase their use of flexible workforces over the next three years, this partnership ensures this growing segment of the workforce has the resources they need to thrive.”

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ:WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.

About Stride Health

Stride Health is the leading benefits provider for independent workers. The company supports individuals' physical and financial well-being with benefits guidance and a suite of insurance products for their businesses-of-one. Stride's health insurance recommendation engine connects independent workers to the best health insurance plans in all 50 states. Stride members' insurance coverage is managed by an award-winning support team and software that provides access to in-network medical practitioners, and negotiated drug prices at thousands of local pharmacies. Stride Drive expands the suite of benefits available to independent workers with automated tax tracking and support. Based in San Francisco and available nationwide, Stride Health (www.stridehealth.com) launched in early 2014 and is venture-backed by the leading health and consumer finance firms Venrock, New Enterprise Associates, and F-Prime Capital Partners.

Media contact

Ed Emerman: +1 609 275 5162
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