Alera Adds More Retirement Benefit Specialists, Capabilities

Alera Group continues to add retirement plan and employee benefit specialists to its growing roster, according to announcements this week.

The insurance and financial services firm announced that it had acquired Brio Benefits, an employee benefits consulting company based in New York City. Alera, based in Deerfield, Illinois, announced that retirement plan consultant Matthew Rockefeller will join the firm’s Rochester, New York-based Waterford Group. Rockefeller had previously been at payroll provider Paychex.

Matthew Rockefeller

Already this year, Alera has brought on large plan retirement specialist Bryan Hissong, as well as financial wellness director Matt Rafeld, as the firm builds up its full range of retirement plan services, CEO Christian Mango said at the time.

“Brio consistently delivers a top-tier employee benefits experience, continually empowering both clients and their employees while guiding them to a more promising, informed and healthier future,” Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera, said in a statement.

Brio was co-founded in 2004 by Richard Kosinski and Jason Pastrano and specializes in employee benefits and retirement plan consulting. The firm has more than 25 team members listed on its website and offers a phased process for employers to add benefit programs “in a strategic manner.” Matthew Compton, managing director of retirement solutions for Brio, won PLANADVISER’s  Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year in the Plan Sponsor Service category in 2022.

“At Brio, we’ve held true to our core values, including creating individualized plans for each employer,” said Kosinski. “These tailored solutions, along with the strength of our team, have enabled Brio to deliver a holistic benefits experience for our clients and their employees.”

The Waterford Group, part of Alera’s retirement plan services division, brought on Rockefeller to work with clients in the Northeast on investments, fiduciary solutions, retirement education and plan design and administration.

The Waterford Group is led by Brian Costello, who founded the group in 2011, and Mike Merriman. Alera acquired the group in 2021, according to the announcement.