Configuring the Benefits driver

The Benefits driver maintains the list of benefit-related expenses planned at the employee level. The table is already set up for the predefined bonus and benefit columns, so use this utility to enable benefits for the Benefit16 through Benefit20 columns of the Payroll table.

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To configure the Benefits driver:

  1. From the Command Center home page, click Payroll Planning.

  2. Open the budget, scenario, or forecast for which to edit the driver.

  3. Click the Drivers & Assumptions tab.
  4. Click the Benefits driver.

  5. Click the Benefits sheet and populate the columns described in the table below. 

    Table column Description
    Name Enter a name for each benefit.
    Payroll Column Name If adding a benefit that is not listed, enter the column name from the Payroll table that contains the benefit. Columns available for benefits or bonuses are Benefit6 through Benefit20. These can also be used for bonuses if needed.
    Driver

    Select the type of benefit driver:

    • Lookup Amount – looks up the monthly expense in the Benefit Projections driver table based on the employee’s Benefit Plan. Use this for benefits like medical insurance, where the benefit expense is determined by the plan, not as a percent of compensation, for example.

    • Lookup Percent – use this to select a percentage rate from the Benefit Projection table based on the Benefit Plan. The rate is used to calculate the benefit as a percent of total compensation.
    • Use Amount – use this if your benefits data contains the monthly benefit expense from your HR systems. The expense amount provided will be fixed throughout the planning period.
    • Use Percent – use this if the benefits data contains the percentage rate used to calculate benefit expense as a percent of employee compensation.
    Default Annual Expense Limits (multiple columns) Enter annual benefit limits as needed in the column for each year. You can set limits for any benefit, but these likely only apply to benefits that are calculated as a percent of compensation. Limits can be specified by benefit plan and by state in the Benefit Projections driver table.

  6. When all columns of the table are populated, click Save on the Main ribbon to create the driver table.