As a small business owner, supporting your employees is a top priority. But let’s face it—offering health insurance can feel like an overwhelming financial hurdle. Many entrepreneurs want to provide solid small business employee benefits but worry they just can’t afford health insurance right now. If you’re in this boat, you’re not alone, and there are still plenty of meaningful ways to offer value to your team without upending your budget.

Why Employee Benefits Matter—Even Without Health Insurance

Many small business owners mistakenly believe that if they can’t provide traditional health insurance, they can’t offer “real” benefits. But that’s not true. Employee benefits extend beyond just healthcare. They reflect your company’s culture, show commitment to your team, and help attract and retain great talent.

At Curler Accounting & Tax Services, LLC, we work with small business owners in Washington County, Mequon, and other communities north of Milwaukee to build practical benefit packages, even with tight budgets. With over 20 years of experience in accounting and payroll solutions, Matt Curler understands the financial constraints—and opportunities—small companies face.

Affordable Small Business Employee Benefits You Can Offer Now

1. Flexible Work Arrangements

Allowing employees to work remotely or adjust their hours doesn’t cost you extra, but it adds huge value for your team. Flexibility is one of the most sought-after benefits today, especially for parents, students, or caregivers. If your business can run smoothly with a non-traditional schedule, consider offering this perk.

2. Competitive Paid Time Off

A strong PTO policy can make up for the absence of health insurance. Even a few paid days off per year for vacation, illness, or mental health shows your team that you respect their well-being. At Curler Accounting, we often advise businesses to re-evaluate their time-off policies as a cost-effective employee benefit to boost morale and reduce burnout.

3. Wellness Initiatives

Support your team’s health in smaller but meaningful ways. Ideas include:

– Reimbursing fitness classes or gym memberships

– Partnering with local wellness providers for discounts

– Offering healthy snacks at work

– Hosting walking meetings or company-wide step challenges

These initiatives may cost a bit, but they can be scaled based on your budget and still make a big impression on your team.

4. Professional Development Opportunities

Invest in your employees’ growth. Paying for online courses, conference attendance, or certifications benefits your team and your business. Developing your staff’s skills leads to higher performance and shows that you’re invested in their future. Businesses that offer lifelong learning opportunities demonstrate a forward-thinking mindset and create a workplace environment where employees feel valued and empowered.

5. Retirement Savings Plans

Offering a retirement plan isn’t out of reach for most small businesses. A SIMPLE IRA or SEP-IRA may be more affordable and have fewer administrative demands than bigger 401(k) plans. Contributions are typically tax-deductible, and you may even qualify for tax credits for starting a plan. At Curler Accounting, we help clients evaluate retirement plan options tailored to their financial capabilities and business structure. Our goal is to help you build a benefits package that grows alongside your company.

6. Bonuses and Profit Sharing

While regular health insurance premiums can feel like an ongoing burden, occasional bonuses or profit-sharing agreements allow you to reward employees when your business is doing well. This approach ties financial benefits directly to company performance, creating motivation and loyalty. It also allows you to stay flexible during slower seasons while still recognizing hard work and results when business picks up.

7. Discount Programs and Perks

You don’t need to spend big to offer attractive employee perks. Consider these low-cost benefits:

– Partnering with local businesses for employee discounts

– Offering free or discounted products/services from your own company

– Arranging group discounts for entertainment, travel, or wellness services

These small additions can brighten the employee experience and fill in the gap when traditional benefits aren’t feasible yet. Local perks also build stronger ties to your community and help support other small businesses in your area.

8. Recognition and Appreciation Programs

Saying “thank you” can go a long way. Set up a monthly or quarterly recognition program where employees get awards, gifts, or spotlight features for outstanding work. Simple acknowledgments like handwritten notes, employee of the month shout-outs, or informal celebrations can foster a positive culture of appreciation. Curler Accounting often urges clients to integrate recognition programs as a meaningful, low-cost solution to boost engagement and retention.

When Health Insurance Isn’t in the Cards (Yet)

Start With a QSEHRA

If full-scale group health insurance isn’t doable, a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) might be an excellent fit. This option allows you to reimburse employees tax-free for their individual health insurance premiums and medical expenses. You control how much to reimburse—making it flexible and manageable for tight budgets. Curler Accounting works with small business clients to determine if QSEHRAs or Individual Coverage HRAs make sense for their structure and financial status. This way, you can still support healthcare needs without taking on a full group insurance plan.

Consider Association Health Plans

Depending on your industry or local business networks, you might be able to join an Association Health Plan (AHP). These pooled programs often offer lower-cost group health plans for small businesses when they band together. Contact local chambers of commerce or industry groups to explore if an AHP is available in your area. In some cases, these plans provide competitive coverage options that rival traditional employer health insurance at a fraction of the cost.

Communicating Openly With Your Team

Transparency builds trust. If health insurance isn’t something you can offer right now, talk openly with your staff. Let them know:

– What benefits you are offering currently

– Why group health insurance isn’t feasible at this time

– Your long-term vision for introducing health coverage when business growth allows

Your honesty and thoughtfulness will go a long way in retaining employees who appreciate an employer that keeps them informed. Curler Accounting encourages open, honest communication as part of a healthy business strategy—it promotes loyalty and reduces frustration.

Planning Ahead for Full Benefits in the Future

While you may not be able to provide full benefits now, that doesn’t mean you can’t lay the groundwork. Work with a trusted advisor—like Matt Curler from Curler Accounting—to develop a roadmap. With his deep knowledge of tax strategy and cash flow optimization, you can build a budget that factors in savings for future benefit offerings. This proactive approach enables businesses to make strategic decisions without surprises.

Key Steps to Prepare for Future Benefits

– Analyze your current and projected cash flow

– Estimate premium costs for your potential team size

– Research tax incentives or credits for offering benefits

– Decide at what income or profit milestone benefit rollouts will be triggered

This kind of proactive financial planning is exactly what our team at Curler Accounting specializes in. We help small business owners manage payroll, predict costs, and create realistic plans for sustainable growth. You don’t have to wait until you can afford everything—start with what you can do now and build from there.

Need Help Finding a Balanced Solution?

At Curler Accounting & Tax Services, we understand the unique challenges small businesses face. Our team specializes in providing practical, scalable solutions to support small business employee benefits without overextending your resources. Led by Matt Curler, a CPA with 20+ years of tax and financial experience, we offer hands-on guidance tailored to your business size and goals. Serving Mequon, Washington County, and clients across Wisconsin, we’re proud to support the businesses that power our communities

Our services include:

– Payroll services to ensure timely and accurate pay

– Business consulting for efficient growth planning

– Tax planning to secure all eligible deductions and credits

– Advice on entity formation to ensure you’re optimizing tax advantages

Matt’s background in corporate finance and military service gives our firm a unique perspective—one rooted in integrity, detail, and results. Whether you’re just starting out or need guidance through a transition, we’re ready to help.

Providing small business employee benefits isn’t just about offering health insurance. While traditional plans might be the gold standard, there are many other ways to show your staff they matter. From flexible schedules and wellness programs to professional development and smart retirement options, your benefits package can be valuable—without being costly.

With the right planning and partner, you can support your team today and prepare for expanded benefits tomorrow. Let Curler Accounting help you uncover creative, budget-friendly ways to offer meaningful employee perks. Your business—and your employees—will be better for it.