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Uncover the “hidden paycheck” embedded in employer-sponsored benefits.

From wellness incentives and financial education to retirement matching and travel discounts, this session explores how benefits can translate into real dollars. Whether it’s a $75 wellness check or thousands in missed employer contributions, the message is clear—don’t leave money on the table.

This session is more than a financial literacy talk—it’s a call to action for economic empowerment, especially for professionals navigating early career decisions and long-term wealth building


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Click here to register in Alight's Talent Community as an attendee to this year's NBMBAA Annual Conference. 
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Featured Facilitators

This interactive session blends expert discussion with group activities to give participants practical knowledge and strategies for identifying and accessing hidden funds within their company benefit package.

Don’t Leave Investment Money on the Table
Let’s be real: when you’re just starting out, investing often sounds like something for “later” after student loans, rent, and all the basics are covered. But here’s the game-changer, your company is literally offering you free money with its 401(k) match, and you don’t need to wait until you’re rolling in cash to get it.

Audience Prompt
At your table work together to identify ways that hidden money: benefits, reimbursements, or savings not directly visible on your paystub that could add up to $1,000 or more over the course of a year. Use your own experiences, company benefits, or creative ideas to brainstorm and total up the "invisible" savings you receive.
  • Consider employer matching contributions to retirement accounts 
  • Think about free access to financial planners or advisors 
  • Don't forget tuition reimbursement for certifications or courses 
  • Include stock purchase discounts, wellness rebates, or health account contributions  

Record your group's findings and see how quickly you can reach or surpass the $1,000 mark. Share your examples with the room!

Facilitator example:
Here’s how my hidden paycheck money added up last year: through my company’s 401(k) match, I received $600. I used the free financial planning service valued at $500, and tuition reimbursement for a certification course provided another $1,000. That’s over $2,000 in value that never showed up directly on my paystub but was deposited right into my future.

Your Health is Your Wealth
For young professionals, embracing employer-provided health and financial benefits is one of the smartest moves you can make early in your career. Establishing good habits now, like scheduling regular checkups, joining wellness programs, and strategically using tax-advantaged accounts lays the groundwork for lifelong health and financial stability.

Audience Prompt
Imagine you can add an extra $1,000 to your annual paycheck, simply by making the most of your employer benefits and smart health choices. At your table, work together to identify and list out all the ways you could reach this $1,000 goal. Consider options like wellness rebates, HSA/FSA contributions, preventive care, and any other perks your employer offers.

Facilitator example:
Imagine you take advantage of the following benefits over the course of the year:
  • Wellness rebate: $75 for completing an annual health screening
  • HSA contribution: $500, with your employer matching another $250
  • Preventive dental and vision care: Saves you $100 in out-of-pocket costs compared to paying retail
  • Gym membership reimbursement: $75
  • Discounted prescriptions via your employer’s pharmacy plan: $50
Total savings: $1,050

Use Your Employer Perks as Your Board of Directors 
When we think about benefits, most of us stop at healthcare and 401K. But the truth is your company often gives you access to a whole board of directors for your life sitting right inside your employer’s benefits or perk’s portal.

Think about it. Need a lawyer? You can get one through your legal plan at a fraction of the cost. Need insurance? Many employers give access to supplemental coverage or group auto and home insurance discounts. Need a travel agent? Your perks portal probably has hotel and car rental discounts.
 
Audience Prompt
Consider some available perks that companies offer. Each person chooses a perk, like gym memberships, travel discounts, coaching, or counseling that most interests you. As a group, create a bundle that could help you add $1,000 (or more) to your paycheck, whether it's through savings, discounts, or extra incentives. Share your ideas and see how many hidden opportunities you can uncover together.

Facilitator example:
  • Sarah uses her company’s wellness rebate to get $500 back after she completes a health screening and a fitness program.
  • Alex takes advantage of a $250 discount on gym membership, meaning they pay only half price for a year’s worth of classes.
  • Taylor purchases company stock through the employee stock program and saves $250 thanks to the built-in discount.
  • Combined, the group’s choices total $1,000 in savings—money that might otherwise have been left on the table.

Login to Benefits
We've talked today about 3 big ways people leave money on the table. Let’s be real, adulting is expensive, and every dollar counts. But here’s something a lot of professionals miss: your job’s benefits can actually put extra money in your pocket if you know where to look. Too many people skip out on things like matching retirement contributions, wellness rewards, or discounts on stuff they already use. That’s like leaving free money on the table.

Think of your benefits as your “hidden paycheck.” Maybe you’ve seen “Lock IN” challenges trending online, where people commit to crushing goals for the next few months. Why not lock in some real savings before the year wraps up?

Here’s your mission:


Set a target for your hidden paycheck. Before the year is over, log into your benefits portal, scroll every tab, and ask yourself: what’s available that I’m not using? You might not uncover thousands right away, but you could find a free health screening worth $75, a gym discount, or even money you’re missing in your 401(k) match. Even small wins add up and it’s all the money you’re already earning.

NBMBAA 47th Annual Conference Schedule

We are not the only experts presenting! Check out the rest of the sessions available for you during the event.
Full Agenda

About Alight
For over 25 years, we’ve been a human capital and business partner to the world’s most influential companies, helping them get more out of their benefits and HR. Through data and technology, we help you and your people connect the dots between work and life, so you can act on insights to deliver better, broader, connected outcomes.
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Alight's Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity

At Alight, we believe that diversity should be visible, valued, and sustained throughout the organization.  We are committed to enabling an inclusive culture of belonging that engages all colleagues and grows the diversity of our talent to proudly represent the clients and communities we serve.

That is why we start with inclusion. For us, inclusion is a verb. It is the act of creating an environment where colleagues can bring their whole selves to work, reach their full potential, and feel that they belong. When we act inclusively and colleagues feel they belong, that action is reflected in our diversity. Diversity for us is measurable, both visible and non-visible, and balanced. This balance is reflected in:
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