ROOTS MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN

Benefits declared on the Form 5500 main form (✓ = also has a Schedule A insurance contract; otherwise the benefit is funded out of plan assets or via a Schedule C TPA).

The plan reports several different headcounts depending on which form you read. Each one measures a different slice of the population.

Why the numbers differ. Form 5500 line 6 counts employees + retirees + beneficiaries; no dependents. Schedule A persons-covered counts everyone enrolled, including spouses and children, so it usually exceeds line 6 by 30-60% on a working-age workforce. The medical row is normally the broadest single line because it has the highest take-up; dental/vision/life often dip below it. Stop-loss / reinsurance contracts sometimes report the carrier's full underwriting pool rather than this filer's headcount; the row is shown for transparency but shouldn't be read as "people in this plan."

• Opportunity

  Carrier switch year-over-year

  The primary carrier changed from prior filing. The plan is already willing to move; opportunity to re-pitch on the next cycle.

• Opportunity

  Broker switch year-over-year

  Primary broker changed. Recently changed advisors; vulnerable to a second-look pitch or hostile takeover.

• Opportunity

  High broker comp ratio

  Broker compensation exceeds 5% of premium. Either a small-plan minimum-fee dynamic or an inefficient broker structure ripe for a counter-bid.