The death of the traditional benefit plan is greatly exaggerated. With apologies to Mark Twain, employer-sponsored benefits — especially health care — are alive and well.
It makes about as much sense as another Ralph Nader presidential run, but at a time when the Fed is slashing interest rates almost monthly, the president is handing out rebate checks and the talking heads flirt with the R-word nightly, employers still struggle to find qualified job candidates.
In fact, according to the latest survey from CareerBuilder.com, almost 20 percent of employers will beef up benefits packages in 2008. And 56 percent plan to bump up initial salary offers to new hires.
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An even more recent study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, punctuates that trend with a flourish. A little more than 99 percent of the employers responding to the survey planned to offer health benefits in 2008. It's a good thing, too. It ranks as the No. 1 benefit graduating college students want — even outperforming annual salary increases.
Other old school employee benefits performed just as well, with 401(k) plans, dental and life insurance offerings rounding out the top five of coveted perks.
While most signs point to a tightening economy, employers are battling it out over the best candidates. Which leaves the market wide open for brokers able to put their clients ahead of their competition.
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