Ownership Submission
FORM 4
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
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(Print or Type Responses)
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *
Holland Mason R Jr
  2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Benefitfocus,Inc. [BNFT]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
__X__ Director _____ 10% Owner
__X__ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below)
Executive Chairman of the Bd.
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
100 BENEFITFOCUS WAY
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
03/29/2018
(Street)

CHARLESTON, SC 29492
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line)
_X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4)
6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 03/29/2018   M   1,668 (1) A $ 0 34,184 D  
Common Stock 03/29/2018   A   4,104 (2) A $ 0 38,288 D  
Common Stock               2,649,099 I By Holland Family Trust (3)
Common Stock               5 I As custodian for minor son

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Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4, and 5)
6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date
(Month/Day/Year)
7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities
(Instr. 3 and 4)
8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5)
9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 4)
10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Performance Restricted Stock Units (1) 03/29/2018   M     1,668   (1) 04/01/2018 Common Stock 1,668 $ 0 3,893 D  
Performance Restricted Stock Units (4) 03/29/2018   D     3,893   (4) 04/01/2018 Common Stock 3,893 $ 0 0 D  
Performance Restricted Stock Units (4) 03/29/2018   D     8,341   (4) 04/01/2021 Common Stock 8,341 $ 0 0 D  
Performance Restricted Stock Units (5) 03/29/2018   A   6,218     (5) 04/01/2019 Common Stock 6,218 $ 0 6,218 D  
Performance Restricted Stock Units (6) 03/29/2018   A   12,498     (6) 04/01/2022 Common Stock 12,498 $ 0 12,498 D  

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships
 Director  10% Owner  Officer  Other
Holland Mason R Jr
100 BENEFITFOCUS WAY
CHARLESTON, SC 29492
  X     Executive Chairman of the Bd.  

Signatures

 /s/ S. Halle Vakani, Attorney-in-Fact   04/02/2018
**Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1) Shares earned upon the vesting of a percentage of the performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs") granted to the Reporting Person on March 31, 2017. Each PRSU represented a contingent right to receive one share of Issuer common stock upon the Issuer's achievement of annual revenue goals and free cash flow goals, all subject to a minimum adjusted EBITDA level, during the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
(2) Represents restricted stock units which vest in four equal annual installments beginning on April 1, 2019, subject to continued employment.
(3) These shares are held in a living trust for the benefit of the reporting person and his spouse. The reporting person shares voting and investment control over these shares.
(4) Represents the portion of PRSUs that were forfeited to the Issuer after determining the percentage of PRSUs that vested.
(5) Each PRSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Issuer common stock. The maximum number of PRSUs is presented in the table. A percentage of the PRSUs will vest upon the achievement of an annual revenue goal, an adjusted EBITDA goal, and a net new bookings goal, during the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Vesting of the target level PRSUs will accelerate upon death or disability during the performance period in an amount equal to the proportion of days in the performance period worked. Vesting of the target PRSUs may also accelerate in certain circumstances if there is a change in control of the Issuer during the performance period.
(6) Each PRSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Issuer common stock. The maximum number of PRSUs is presented in the table. The PRSUs will vest upon the achievement of annual recurring revenue bookings percentage growth goals during the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, such vesting to occur in four equal annual installments beginning on April 1, 2019, if the performance metrics are met. Vesting of the target level PRSUs will accelerate upon death or disability during the performance period in an amount equal to the proportion of days in the performance period worked. Vesting will also accelerate as to the next tranche of vesting units in the event of death or disability after the performance period. Vesting of the target PRSUs may also accelerate in certain circumstances if there is a change in control of the Issuer during the performance period.

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