Alliant Hires Tom Mather as Benefits Vice President
The Irvine-based broker added the veteran consultant to its Employee Benefits Group as employers face rising health costs.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Healthcare
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Alliant Insurance Services has hired Tom Mather as a vice president in its Employee Benefits Group, the company announced Thursday. Mather will advise middle-market employers in the Washington, D.C. area on customized benefits strategies.
Why it matters
Health benefit costs are climbing, and employers are looking for help designing plans that control spending. Marsh projects total health benefit cost per employee will rise 8.2% on average in 2027, making specialized plan-design expertise increasingly valuable to mid-sized employers.
Marsh projects an 8.2% rise in per-employee health benefit costs for 2027, compared with 6.7% for 2026, and 11% without cost-reduction measures. The Business Group on Health's survey found a median expected increase of 9.2%, which plan design changes could bring to about 8%.
The players
Alliant Insurance Services
Alliant Insurance Services is an Irvine, California-based insurance brokerage that advises businesses on risk management and employee benefits.
Tom Mather
Tom Mather is a benefits consultant who previously led employee benefits at a global insurance brokerage and consulting firm and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Alfred University.
Marsh
Marsh is a global insurance broker and consulting firm whose annual benefits cost projections are widely used by employers and the industry.
The details
Mather previously served as vice president of employee benefits at a global insurance brokerage and consulting firm, and his background includes strategic benefits planning, self-funded plan design, and financial analysis. Alliant also reorganized its Employee Benefits Group into three regions to support faster growth and more locally tailored client service, with Yana Jones joining in June and Elsje Johnson in August.
Timeline
June 2026: Alliant reorganized its Employee Benefits Group into three regions and Yana Jones joined the group.
August 2026: Elsje Johnson joined the Employee Benefits Group.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Alliant announced Tom Mather's appointment.
2027: Marsh projects an 8.2% increase in health benefit costs per employee.
Market Landscape
Marsh's projection of an 8.2% rise in per-employee health costs for 2027 signals sustained pressure on employer budgets after a 6.7% increase in 2026. Brokers such as Alliant are adding benefits specialists as mid-sized employers seek strategies to contain that growth.
Employers facing an projected 8.2% rise in per-employee health costs in 2027 may need to revisit plan design, cost-sharing, or vendor choices during upcoming renewal cycles. Workers at mid-sized firms could see those pressures show up in benefit options or contribution levels.
The takeaway
Rising benefit costs make plan design a central budgeting decision for employers, not just an annual administrative task. Employers that review cost-reduction options early in the renewal cycle have more room to shape outcomes.
Further reading
For more on how employers are managing rising costs, see Healthcare coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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