MetLife Outlines Employers' Benefit Attitudes

–”Standard” employers (28%) recognize health insurance and retirement plans are essential but often do not fund these benefits fully. They sometimes serve as a channel through which employees can gain access to group rates on a voluntary basis.

–”Flexible” employers (23%) are aware of their competition for effective employees but consider the trade-off between offering benefit choices and shifting costs to employees. They seem to support a wider range of benefits program through self-directed education, communications and decision support tools, MetLife found

–”Progressive” employers (32%) believe that a rich and diverse benefits plan provides a competitive advantage. They seem focused on meeting the varied needs of their workforce and provide more benefits beyond basic health and welfare offerings.

“Understanding a company’s place on the benefits landscape can not only help an employer define its current approach to benefits but also help to inform future benefits strategies that will help to achieve business objectives,” Leopold said.