Smarter Employee Benefits. Lower Taxes. Better Teams.
PDX Benefits helps small businesses in Oregon, Washington, and California design benefit packages that attract top talent, reduce employer taxes, and increase employee take-home pay — all through IRS Section 125 strategies.
Explore All of PDX Benefits
From educational guides to interactive calculators — find the right tool or resource for where you are in the benefits journey.
Learn
Calculate
Company Savings Calculator
See your total employer FICA savings from pre-tax benefits across your entire workforce.
Employee Take-Home Calculator
Show employees exactly how much more money they keep each paycheck with pre-tax benefits.
Benefit-by-Benefit Breakdown
Analyze each benefit type individually — HSA, FSA, Dental, Vision — with real tax impact numbers.
Paid Leave Oregon Calculator
Estimate weekly benefits, compare PLO to supplemental plans, and explore the 6-step formula.
First-Time Buyer's Guide to Benefits
Never worked with a broker before? Download our comprehensive guide to understand what to expect, the questions you should ask, and how to prepare your business for a successful benefits rollout.
Comprehensive Plans Built for Your Team
From core medical coverage to tax-advantaged accounts and supplemental protection — we design a complete benefits package that attracts top talent while managing costs.
Medical, Dental & Vision
Group PPO, HMO, and HDHP plans with top Oregon, Washington, and California carriers.
HSA, FSA & Pre-Tax Accounts
Triple tax-advantaged accounts that lower taxable wages for both employers and employees.
Life & Disability Coverage
Group-term life, short-term, and long-term disability — financially protecting your team.
Voluntary & Supplemental
Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans at zero direct cost to the employer.
Why Choose an Independent Broker?
See exactly how our transparent fee structure and proactive service model compares to traditional volume-driven agencies.
| Comparison Area | Traditional Agency | PDX Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Transparency | ||
| Base Commissions | Hidden in premiums | Fully disclosed & transparent |
| PEPM (Per Employee) Fees | $5 - $15+ added per employee | $0 hidden fees |
| Technology & Admin Fees | Marked up 20-30% | Direct vendor pricing (No markup) |
| Carrier Contingent Bonuses | Kept as agency profit | Fully transparent |
| Strategy & Analytics | ||
| Claims Monitoring | Reactive (Annual review) | Proactive (Quarterly/Monthly) |
| Renewal Timeline | Starts 30-60 days out | Starts 100+ days out with analysis |
| Benchmarking | Guesswork / highest-commission | Data-driven from actual utilization |
| Compliance & Legal | Reactive scrambling | Proactive briefings |
| Service & Support | ||
| Open Enrollment | Hands-off | In-person/virtual meetings |
| Employee Collateral | Generic carrier PDFs | Custom, professional brand materials |
| Benefit Technology | Paper forms / generic portals | Custom online benefit hubs |
| HR Partnership | "Call the 1-800 number" | Direct partnership for fast resolution |
Questions You Should Be Asking
Whether you're reflecting on your current broker, asking me directly, or chatting with our AI assistant, you deserve clear answers.
Ask yourself...
- When's the last time your broker called YOU (and wasn't trying to sell something)?
- Can you explain all the fees you're paying in one sentence?
- Would your broker pick up if you called right now?
- When's the last time you shopped around? 2020? 2018?
- Does your broker know your name without looking it up?
- How long did you wait on hold the last time you called your insurance?
Ask me...
- "What type of health insurance plan should I choose?"
- "How much will this medical procedure/treatment cost with my insurance?"
- "Am I eligible for subsidies or financial assistance?"
- "What does my health insurance cover?"
- "Are my doctors and hospitals in-network in Portland/Vancouver?"
- "What happens if I get care across the state line?"
Ask our AI...
Get instant answers about tax advantages, benefit plans, and compliance requirements. Our AI assistant is trained on the latest 2026 IRS guidelines and benefits strategies.
How much can my company save by implementing a Section 125 plan?
A Section 125 Cafeteria Plan typically saves employers 7.65% in FICA taxes...
Your Onboarding Journey
See exactly what to expect when you partner with PDX Benefits. We make transitioning and managing your benefits seamless.
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Custom Quote
We start by understanding your business needs, current benefits, and goals. You'll receive a customized quote and tax savings analysis.
Step 2: Broker of Record (BOR) & Letter of Association (LOA)
Officially partner with us. We handle the paperwork to transition your account so we can start working on your behalf immediately.
Step 3: Employee & Plan Details Collection
We gather necessary census data, employee demographics, and specific plan preferences to tailor the perfect benefits package.
Step 4: Plan Design & Carrier Selection
Review curated plan options from top carriers. We help you select the optimal mix of coverage and cost for your team.
Step 5: Employee Enrollment & Onboarding
Seamless enrollment process for your team, complete with educational resources and support to ensure everyone understands their benefits.
Step 6: Ongoing Support & Administration
Year-round support for claims, compliance, new hires, and renewals. We act as an extension of your HR team.
Initial Consultation & Custom Quote
We start by understanding your business needs, current benefits, and goals. You'll receive a customized quote and tax savings analysis.
What you need to do:
- • Provide basic company information
- • Share current benefits package (if any)
- • Discuss goals and budget with our team
What others are saying
Strong expertise in benefits and insurance guidance
Responsive, knowledgeable support backed by industry connections
Personalized recommendations and hands-on help with payroll and scaling
Limited visibility on pricing, service scope, and availability in reviews; few or no reported drawbacks
James Russell
Founder, PDX Benefits
Building a Partnership With You
I am a former Special Education teacher with over a decade of experience turned education and business consultant. After transitioning to the private sector, I saw how much businesses needed support in areas they didn't have time to address.
I started connecting with companies to understand their challenges and match them with the best vendors—always prioritizing what's best for the business, not the vendor. I'm passionate about helping companies attract and retain top talent with more thoughtful compensation options, all while simplifying operations and cutting costs to drive growth.
Your Values & Beliefs
- • Strong commitment to community
- • Valuing hard work & reliability
- • Creating local job opportunities
- • Building a sustainable legacy
Your Goals
- • Sustainable business growth
- • Streamlining operations
- • Providing excellent service
- • Positive work environment