MetLife released its 7th Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study earlier this week; it found employers value employee retention as the most important benefits objective, despite hard economic times. Controlling costs and increasing employee productivity were ranked as employers' second and third most important benefits objectives, respectively.

For workers, financial protection is increasingly important and benefits are a cornerstone of their financial plan. Over half of all workers surveyed reported they appreciate their benefits more than ever, and one-third are afraid their employers will cut benefits. However, only 15 percent of employers reported any plans to make such cuts.

The recession has lit a fire under employees' retirement planning. Sixty percent of all employees, and 73 percent of older boomers, have reviewed their retirement needs as a result of the downturn. Slightly more than half say they've pushed back their target retirement date in the past year. Their biggest concern is being able to afford health care, as 65 percent of respondents said. Outliving retirement income and caring for an ill spouse tied for the second biggest concern, each cited by 61 percent of respondents.