Establishing an Organization for TPAs
The SPBA’s roots date back to 1975 at the O’Hare Hilton in Chicago where several parties met to establish a permanent organization designed specifically for third party administrators (TPAs). The organization was known as the American Society of Professional Administrators at the time and was later re-named the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators in 1977.
Originally, the goals and purpose of this newly-created TPA association included defeating National Health Insurance, understanding and shaping ERISA law (a new concept at the time) and providing assistance to TPA members in better serving their clients and plans. SPBA founders had a lofty goal: eventually identifying up to 60 TPA firms to join.
Today, 40 years later, there are over 200 TPA firms that are members of the SPBA. We share information on more than 1,500 new laws, regulations, rulings and interpretations each year. Our members have become the most respected and consistent source of information and predictions related to employee benefits. SPBA was founded to make TPAs the best-informed players in the employee benefits arena, and we feel this mission has been accomplished.