234 5th Ave #501, New York, NY 100016
Employee Benefits Broker in Long Island City
Strategic benefits guidance for Long Island City employers navigating one of the most complex regulatory environments in the country.
Long Island City has become one of the most densely populated and economically diverse corridors in the entire New York metro area, and employers here face a benefits landscape that reflects that complexity. Choosing an employee benefits broker for your LIC-based business means finding an advisor who understands both the Queens-side regulatory environment and the competitive pressure of being steps away from Midtown Manhattan across the East River. Combs & Company, operating out of 234 5th Ave, Suite 501, has advised companies with 1 to 500 employees since 2005 on benefits strategies built around New York's compliance demands and its notoriously competitive talent market. With a 95% annual client retention rate and a team of PPACA Certified Advisors, the firm works as a sustained advisory partner rather than a one-and-done vendor. For Long Island City employers competing for workers who could just as easily commute to Hudson Yards or Downtown Brooklyn, having the right benefits structure is not a luxury - it is a retention strategy.
Long Island City Benefits Compliance in 2026
Long Island City employers operate inside the same two-tier compliance framework that governs all New York City businesses: state-level mandates flowing from Albany and city-specific requirements enforced by agencies like the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. For the growing roster of tech companies, creative studios, and professional service firms that have taken root near Court Square and the waterfront, keeping pace with both layers is a non-negotiable part of running a business here. The consequences of falling behind range from civil penalties to losing employees who expect their employer to have these details handled correctly.
Paid Family Leave adjustments
New York's Paid Family Leave program updated its rates for 2026. The maximum weekly benefit is now $1,228.53, an increase of $51.21 over 2025. Employee contributions rose to 0.432% of gross wages per pay period, with a maximum annual contribution of $411.91. Long Island City employers - particularly those running payroll across multiple departments in the area's growing residential and commercial developments - must ensure payroll systems reflect these changes and that employees understand how PFL interacts with the state's disability insurance program.
Paid Prenatal Leave
New York became the first state in the nation to mandate paid prenatal leave, effective January 1, 2025. All private-sector employers, regardless of company size, must provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave per 52-week period, separate from and in addition to existing sick leave entitlements. For Long Island City employers, the additional NYC layer under amended ESSTA rules applies as well, including maintaining a written prenatal leave policy, reporting prenatal leave balances on pay stubs, and posting an updated Notice of Employee Rights in a location accessible to all staff.
Expanded Earned Safe and Sick Time
On February 22, 2026, amendments to the NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Act took effect. Employers must now provide at least 32 hours of immediately available unpaid safe and sick time upon hire. The qualifying reasons for leave expanded to include public disasters, school or childcare closures, workplace violence, and care for minor children or care recipients. These amendments also eliminated the city's Temporary Schedule Change Act by consolidating that coverage under ESSTA. For LIC businesses that have grown quickly alongside the neighborhood's development, this is the kind of shift that can fall through the cracks without a dedicated advisor tracking it.
Minimum wage and salary thresholds
Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in New York City rose to $17.00 per hour. The minimum salary threshold for executive and administrative overtime exemptions increased to $1,275.00 per week, annualized to $66,300. In Long Island City, where a wide range of roles from ground-floor warehouse staff to senior creative professionals work within blocks of each other, these thresholds directly affect how employers classify roles, structure compensation, and determine benefits eligibility across their workforce.
Secure Choice Savings Program
New York's state-mandated retirement savings program is now active. Private employers with 10 or more employees who have been in business at least two years and do not already offer a qualified retirement plan must either register or certify an exemption. Deadlines are staggered by employer size: employers with 30 or more employees faced a March 18, 2026 deadline; those with 15 to 29 employees must comply by May 15, 2026; and those with 10 to 14 employees by July 15, 2026. Employees are auto-enrolled at a 3% contribution rate into a state-administered Roth IRA unless they opt out. Long Island City's concentration of mid-sized employers makes this one of the most immediately relevant mandates in the area.
Ban on consumer credit history in employment decisions
Effective April 18, 2026, New York State employers are prohibited from requesting or using consumer credit history for hiring, compensation, or other employment decisions, with limited exceptions. This statewide restriction builds on a foundation that NYC established years earlier through the Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act, which has been in effect since 2015. Long Island City employers who may not have updated their hiring practices since the earlier city-level law should review their processes now that the state standard applies uniformly.
An employee benefits broker serving Long Island City must track each of these requirements - and the ways they interact with each other - to keep clients in good standing. One overlooked amendment or missed registration deadline can bring enforcement exposure and signal to employees that their employer is not paying attention. In a neighborhood where talent has no shortage of alternatives, that signal has real consequences.
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Benefits Services for Long Island City Employers
Combs & Company approaches employee benefits for Long Island City employers the same way it approaches any competitive market: with flexibility that matches the actual range of businesses present. LIC's employer mix is genuinely varied - from early-stage tech companies near the Queens Plaza corridor to established manufacturers, media operations, and hospitality businesses serving the area's fast-growing residential population. A single template does not serve all of them.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits anchor most packages, and navigating the New York carrier market - where premiums consistently exceed national averages - requires deliberate negotiation across multiple options. The firm builds plans around both cost control and the provider access LIC employees expect, including networks that connect into major hospital systems accessible from Queens.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage supplements New York's statutory program, which frequently falls short for higher-earning employees in finance, technology, and professional services. Group life insurance, voluntary benefits, and executive-level options round out packages designed to retain people in a market where competitors are a subway stop away.
Compliance consulting, including ACA reporting, ERISA plan documentation, and audit support, is built into the advisory relationship from the start. For Long Island City employers managing prenatal leave obligations, Secure Choice registration timelines, and ESSTA amendments at the same time, having that support embedded - rather than billed separately - changes the value equation considerably.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits anchor most packages in Long Island City, and carrier selection in New York requires navigating a market where premiums consistently run above the national average. Combs & Company negotiates across multiple carriers to construct plans that balance cost with meaningful coverage, factoring in the provider networks and hospital systems that employees working and living in Queens realistically depend on.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage fills in where New York's statutory disability program leaves gaps - a common issue for Long Island City employers whose teams include higher-earning professionals in tech, finance, and the creative industries. Group life insurance, voluntary benefits, and executive benefits complete packages built to hold onto talent in a neighborhood where the next opportunity may be visible from the office window across the East River.
Compliance consulting, including ACA reporting, ERISA plan documentation, and audit support, is embedded in the advisory relationship rather than structured as a separate billable engagement. For Long Island City employers simultaneously working through prenatal leave policy updates, Secure Choice registration, and the expanded ESSTA requirements, having these services integrated into the ongoing relationship is not a convenience - it is a structural advantage.
What Sets Combs & Company Apart in the Long Island City Market
What sets Combs & Company apart is not language on a website - it is the way the practice is actually built. Every member of the Combs Crew has worked in at least two industries outside of insurance before joining the firm. In a place like Long Island City, where a single block might house a tech startup, a film production house, a logistics operation, and a restaurant group, that cross-industry background is directly relevant. Single-industry brokers miss the risk exposures that surface at those intersections. Combs does not.
The firm carries a 95% annual client retention rate across a client base that spans professional services, hospitality, media, tech, nonprofits, and food and beverage - industries all well represented across western Queens. That breadth translates into real familiarity with the compliance nuances and carrier negotiations specific to New York City's most active business sectors.
Combs & Company's PPACA Certified Advisors bring focused expertise in ACA, ERISA, and the state and city-level mandates that make New York among the most regulated employee benefits markets in the country. The firm works with companies from 1 to 500 employees - the range where benefits decisions most directly shape hiring and retention outcomes, and where in-house HR expertise is often thin or nonexistent.
Founded in 2005 by Susan L. Combs, the firm has built its reputation on sustained advisory relationships rather than transactional renewals. Growth comes through referrals and multi-year engagements, not volume outreach.
The firm's 95% annual client retention rate reflects a client base spanning professional services, hospitality, media, tech, nonprofits, and food and beverage - all sectors with a strong footprint in and around Long Island City. That mix of industries means the team regularly confronts the compliance details and carrier dynamics specific to New York City's busiest business environments, and brings that accumulated context to every engagement.
Combs & Company's PPACA Certified Advisors hold focused expertise in ACA, ERISA, and the state and city-level mandates that distinguish New York as one of the country's most regulated employee benefits markets. The firm serves businesses with 1 to 500 employees - the segment where benefits choices most directly influence hiring outcomes and financial performance, and where Long Island City's growing employer community is least likely to have dedicated in-house capacity to manage them.
Founded in 2005 by Susan L. Combs, the firm has grown on the strength of long-term advisory relationships rather than transactional renewals. For Long Island City employers who want a broker that knows their business over time - not just at renewal season - that founding philosophy shapes every client engagement. Referrals and multi-year partnerships drive the practice, not cold outreach.
Who This Serves
The companies that benefit most from working with an employee benefits broker in NYC are typically growing firms in the
10–500 employee range — large enough to face real compliance obligations under programs like Secure Choice and ACA employer mandates, but without the internal HR infrastructure to manage those obligations alone. This includes founders and COOs at NYC-based tech and media companies scaling past their first wave of hires, CFOs at professional services firms managing benefits costs against the city's wage pressures, and HR directors at nonprofits and cultural organizations competing for talent without Fortune 500 budgets.
Start a Conversation with Combs & Company
If your Long Island City business is working through a first-time benefits build, a renewal that no longer fits where your company is headed, or a compliance question with a deadline attached, Combs & Company offers a no-obligation discovery call to assess where things stand. The advisory team will review your current benefits structure, identify compliance gaps specific to New York City and Queens, and outline what a tailored engagement would look like for your organization. Schedule a discovery call to get started.
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Employee Benefits
Comprehensive Employee Benefits for Your Team
Benefit solutions can be as diverse as your workforce. Combs & Company takes a holistic approach to build solutions that meet employee needs, your company's budget, all while meeting federal and state requirements. Offering innovative solutions from trusted providers can help your business attract and retain top talent. From one employee to 1,000, our team supports you to ensure benefits don't become a burden and fall short of expectations.
Medical Benefits
Comprehensive medical coverage from top-rated carriers, with plan designs that account for NYC's provider networks and premium environment.
Dental Benefits
Preventive, restorative, and orthodontic coverage options that meet employee expectations in a competitive hiring market.
Vision Benefits
Vision plans that include routine exams, eyewear allowances, and corrective care for focused productivity.
Short-Term Disability insurance
Income protection that supplements New York's statutory disability program during temporary illness or injury.
Long-Term Disability insurance
Extended income protection for employees facing prolonged health challenges beyond statutory coverage.
Group Life Insurance
Financial protection for employees and their families, structured as a core component of the benefits package.
Group Long-Term Care Insurance
Coverage for extended medical or personal assistance expenses, addressing a growing concern for NYC's aging workforce.
Voluntary Benefits
Accident, critical illness, and supplemental coverage that gives employees flexibility to customize their protection.
Executive Benefits
Customized benefit plans designed to attract, retain, and protect leadership talent in NYC's competitive executive market.
International Travel Insurance
Coverage for employees on global assignments or business travel, addressing medical emergencies and unforeseen risks abroad.
Employee benefits aren’t just perks — they’re a promise. A promise to value, protect, and invest in the people who drive your company’s success every day.
Combs & Company
Empowering Businesses Through Smarter Employee Benefits
Your employees are the foundation of your company’s success. Combs & Company believes investing in their well-being leads to higher retention, better productivity, and stronger company culture. Our customized employee benefits solutions are designed to fit your organization’s goals, budget, and workforce. From startup to mature entity, we’ll help you create a benefits package that attracts and retains top talent — while protecting your bottom line.
Your Questions, Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
How do NYC's prenatal leave and ESSTA requirements affect my company's benefits administration?
If you employ anyone in New York City, your benefits administration now includes multiple leave entitlements that must be tracked separately: 20 hours of paid prenatal leave under state law, 40 or 56 hours of paid safe and sick time under ESSTA (depending on employer size), and as of February 2026, an additional 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick time available immediately upon hire. Each entitlement has distinct policy, notice, and recordkeeping requirements — and NYC's rules layer additional obligations on top of the state mandates. An employee benefits broker in NYC should be helping you maintain compliant written policies, update notices, and ensure your payroll system tracks each leave bank independently.
Does my NYC business need to register for the Secure Choice Savings Program?
If your company has been operating for at least two years, employs 10 or more people in New York, and does not currently offer a qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA, you are required to register with the New York Secure Choice Savings Program or certify your exemption. Deadlines in 2026 are staggered by employer size, with the final group — employers with 10–14 employees — facing a July 15, 2026 deadline. Your employee benefits broker in NYC can help you evaluate whether registering for the state program or adopting a private retirement plan is the better strategic move for your company's benefits package and talent competitiveness.
What makes employee benefits more complex for NYC employers than employers in other markets?
New York City employers operate under a dual regulatory framework — state mandates from Albany and city-specific rules enforced locally — that creates compliance obligations most other U.S. markets simply don't have. The city's Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, prenatal leave policy and posting requirements, and the Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act all impose requirements beyond what state law mandates. Combined with New York's high premium environment, a minimum wage of $17.00 per hour affecting benefits eligibility classifications, and the competitive pressure of recruiting in a market with over 200,000 tech sector jobs alone, NYC employers need an employee benefits broker with specific experience in this market — not a national firm applying a generic playbook.
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234 5th Ave #501, New York, NY 10001
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Employee Benefits
Empower your workforce with tailored benefits that attract talent, enhance satisfaction, and improve retention — all while keeping your business compliant, competitive, and financially protected.
Commercial Insurance
Safeguard your business with customized commercial risk solutions that protect your assets, employees, and reputation against unforeseen events and evolving industry challenges.
Personal Insurance
Protect what matters most with personal insurance plans designed for your lifestyle — covering your home, health, car, and future with confidence and peace of mind.
Specialty Insurance
We specialize in unique and hard-to-place insurance needs, offering creative solutions for businesses and individuals that don’t fit standard coverage categories.
Consulting Services
Our experts offer strategic guidance, risk analysis, and compliance support to help you make informed insurance decisions aligned with your goals.
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Why Choose Combs & Company?
Combs & Company blends decades of experience, with continued industry innovations, and a personal touch to simplify the insurance process. Our expert teams tailor coverages to meet your business needs, ensuring you’re confident in any solution.
Certified Industry Experts
Our team includes PPACA Certified Advisors and licensed professionals with expertise in ACA, ERISA, and complex coverage solutions, providing trusted guidance.
Comprehensive Coverage Options
From personal and business insurance to specialty lines and consulting, we offer full-service solutions that grow with you and evolve to meet your changing needs.
Long-Term Relationships
At Combs & Company, clients aren’t just clients—they’re partners. We’re committed to building trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships that keep you secure for years to come.
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Our Client Reviews
If you're a food entrepreneur or in the restaurant biz, I highly recommend working with Susan and her team. Offers great customer service and she really knows her stuff! I had Susan come lecture at my food law class at New York University a few years ago and the students loved her! I refer clients to her without hesitation
Cari B.
