Employers rely on dedicated employees to keep them in business. To be engaged, employees need to feel valued, cared for and satisfied on multiple levels. Employers should focus on supporting employees' well-being, including their physical, financial, social, personal and family needs.

Comprehensive Coverage

The most effective benefits are ones that fit employees' needs. A comprehensive benefits package is an important step in fulfilling employees' lives, and it provides incredible value for employers:

• Encourages employee retention – Research by the Society for Human Resource Management (2015) showed that benefits are more important to employees than overall pay or compensation. Consider offering benefits rewards plans that provide motivation for staying with employers because incentives build from one year to the next.

• Supports different employee health and budget needs – Look for insurance carriers that have multiple plan options, giving employees several choices in price and coverage. Here are two examples:

• Senior-level employees may want plans that address health needs that change as they age.

• New workers enrolling in benefits for the first time may want a simple plan that covers basic needs. These plans typically cost less, and features are easier to understand.

• Helps control costs – Offering voluntary plans gives employers a financial break when employees are willing to pay some, or all, of the premium.

• Features flexibility – A plan that combines vision and dental benefits, and has just one maximum benefit dollar amount per year, helps employers and employees cut costs. And employees can choose how to use their benefits. For example, dental and vision benefits help employees:

• pay for dental and vision exams, procedures and materials

• save money through dental and vision provider networks

• detect certain diseases in the early stages

• improve their appearance for better self-esteem

Carrier Partnership Look for carriers that have a reputation as excellent partners, willing to explain benefits choices to employees. A carrier that offers superior customer service and dedicated service representatives will leave employees with fewer questions and complaints for benefits administrators, while employers will have fewer issues for benefits brokers.