How Much an Employee Benefits Package is Worth

You just got the call you’ve been waiting for, and they offered you the job!

Before you rush to accept, it’s essential to know what you and your prospective employer agree to.

You may have discussed the salary range and bonus opportunities available in the interview, but do you understand the value of the employee benefits package coming with the position?

When you consider career options, accepting your first job, or seeking advancement in your field, salary may play a significant role in your decisions. But don't stop there.

Total Compensation Matters

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics would suggest shifting your focus to the total compensation package offered instead.

Total compensation is equal to the direct compensation plan (hourly rate or base salary and any bonus or other incentive pay) plus the value of the employee benefits package.

The average benefits package is over 30% of an employee’s compensation.

So, on a $65,000 salary, that means more than $27,855 is spent (on average) for the benefit plan, which equals a total compensation of $92,855 or more.

With some employers providing more benefits and others less, it makes sense to weigh the total compensation of different jobs when making an employment decision.

Employee Benefits Program Offerings

Companies are legally required to provide some benefits to their employees –

• the employer portion of Social Security, Medicare, and federal insurance contributions (FICA)
• workers compensation
• unemployment insurance
• family or medical leave
• medical insurance (depending on the total number of employees)

Some of the additional types of benefits they offer are organization-oriented and defined by the employer.

In contrast, others are consumer-oriented benefits funded by your employer but selected by you.

Examples include retirement options and insurance plans where an employer defines their contribution, if any, rather than sponsoring specific programs.

Whether they're employer-sponsored, defined contribution, or other fringe benefits – the types of benefits and the value of the comprehensive employee benefits package the company is offering can affect your job satisfaction and your bank account!

Be sure you take the time to become informed.

Here are some of the benefits and employee assistance programs (EAPs) companies offer as part of a full-time employee's total compensation package with further details below (some benefits may also be available to part-time employees). 

• Insurances
• Leave Time
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Stock Options
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Child Care
• Wellness Programs
• Education or Student Loan Assistance
• Telecommuting and Flexible Schedules
• Commuting/Parking Assistance
• Relocation or Housing Assistance
• Legal, Counseling, or Adoption Services
• Financial Counseling

Consider the benefits that matter most to you. And how much those benefits are worth when making your decision on whether to accept the job.

Insurance

It’s no surprise that a quality health insurance plan is one of the most significant benefits people look for when applying for a job.

But medical insurance isn’t the only type of coverage many companies offer, especially those trying to attract top talent.

Other coverages and voluntary benefits employers may offer – or provide the opportunity to secure at a rate much lower than you'd find on the open market – include:

• Life Insurance – Life Insurance: Which is Best, Term or Whole?
• Disability Insurance – Disability Insurance: Do I really need it?
• Dental Insurance – What Are the Best Ways to Save on Dental Care?
• Vision Insurance – How Can I Save Money on My Vision Care?
• Supplemental health insurance such as accident or cancer coverage
• Pet insurance is one of the most popular benefits across the country now too!

Paid Time Off

Earning pay while you're not at work for a period of time is definitely a benefit.

How generous is this employer with paid vacation days and other time off?

• How many weeks of paid vacation time will you have in this position?
• If you aren't working on legal holidays will you get paid for it?
• Are personal and bereavement days a part of your compensation package?
• What about sick time for you or to take care of family members?
• What's the company’s maternity, paternity, or medical leave policy?
• Do they offer sabbaticals?

Your understanding of when you'll be paid when not at work is essential.

When accepting a job offer, you might not be considering all the times you could need time off, but you’ll surely be happy to receive payment for it when you need it.

Retirement

Your employee benefits package may offer a variety of different employer-sponsored retirement savings plans.

Defined contribution plans have mostly replaced traditional retirement plans (defined benefit pensions).

Some employers supplement employee retirement plan savings by providing an employer match to employee contributions into 401(k), 403b, 457, or similar plans.

Profit-sharing is another way some employers contribute to a retirement savings plan for employees.

• When reviewing the retirement savings plan look at when you're eligible to begin contributions?
• What is the vesting schedule for any employer contributions?
• Who administers the retirement benefit plan?
• What are the fund options and the associated fees within the plan?

Stock Options

Some companies offer employee stock options as part of their employee benefits.

These option plans provide employees the right to buy a certain number of company stock shares at a predetermined price within a specific period.

The hope for you as an employee is to profit by exercising your options to buy shares at a fixed price when the shares are trading at a higher price.

Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts (FSAs and HSAs)

Some employers choose to offer Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

These plans are like personal savings accounts. But you can only use funds in the accounts for qualifying medical expenses.

You can use a medical FSA to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision care expenses not covered by insurance.

HSA’s can only be used with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and are similar to a 401(k).

According to HealthCare.gov, an HSA can be used “to pay deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses.”

This includes the ability to save money for future healthcare expenses too.

As an employee, you can determine the amount you want to contribute. And the contribution of funds to the account is on a pre-tax basis, reducing your tax liability.

Employers have no requirement to contribute to FSA or HSA plans, but they may as an additional employee benefit.

One other employer-sponsored benefit is an HRA. This Health Reimbursement Account can be used to reimburse an employee for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Your employer funds these types of accounts. You may even be allowed to roll the money over from year to year if funds are not depleted.

Child Care

Childcare costs for a baby average almost $1,000 per month in the United States. In some of the most expensive areas in the country, the price is double that amount each month.

If your potential employer has on-site childcare as an option, this may answer many of your childcare concerns.

You'll likely pay less than you would for other center-based care, and your child will be at or near your place of work. This is incredibly important to many parents.

A Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account you use to pay for eligible dependent care services for a child or adult dependent while you and your spouse are working, looking for work, or attending school full-time.

Wellness Programs

Many employers have gotten on the wellness bandwagon and are attempting to help their employees improve their health and wellness through various internal and external sources.

These benefits are helping employees with their physical and mental health, which in turn enhances employee morale.

This might include employee discounts on a gym membership or nutrition education, a financial education class or session with a financial advisor, weight loss or smoking cessation programs, or health clinics for the family.

Education and Tuition Assistance

If you’ve just finished an undergraduate degree, you may be thinking about how much of your salary will go toward paying back student loans each month.

Some employers are now helping employees pay back their loans.

Should your benefits package offer tuition reimbursement or stipends for continuing education, it may reduce your expenses for furthering your education or pursuing an advanced degree.

Don’t dismiss the importance of this benefit if your career path will require you to take continuing education classes, go back to school, or if you have an interest in pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. program.

Telecommuting and Flexible Schedules

How long is your commute? Will you be sitting in traffic for a few hours each day?

If the position you are considering offers a flexible schedule, it may save you hours of unproductive time each week.

Is telecommuting an option for this job, even for part of the workweek? If this is something important to you, you may put a high value on the benefit.

Related: What Are Some of the Drawbacks of Working From Home?

Commuting Assistance

If you have to go into the office each day, does the employer provide parking or assistance paying for parking each month?

Some employers choose to work with companies like Commuter Benefit Solutions.

These plans benefit employers by helping them offer tax-free benefits while reducing payroll taxes.

Employees save by not having to pay income tax on funds they set aside for commuting expenses. Some employers offer transit passes to employees as a benefit too.

Housing

Depending on the company, the position you are applying for, and the demand for employees, some employers will provide funds to help you relocate.

Others may pay a housing allowance each month or provide employee housing. This may even include furnished accommodation.

With the average American spending more than a third of their take-home pay on housing, any housing benefit offered by an employer can help minimize one of the most costly parts of your monthly budget.

Can You Negotiate an Employee Benefits Package?

During your final interviews, you may have negotiated the salary for your position.

Unless the company you're applying to has a strictly defined benefits plan, you may also be able to negotiate some key benefits in your package.

What matters most to you?

If a flexible schedule means your child won’t have to be in daycare for many hours each week, that might be something you try to negotiate.

And If you were only offered a week of paid vacation, ask for two and see how the employer responds.

If you’ve made it to the point where you are negotiating, they want you for the job.

Do your homework on your benefits package and determine where you might ask for more than what you’re initially offered.

Perhaps there are other benefits or perks not in your original offer which you could negotiate for, such as:

• a cell phone
• paid internet services
• transportation allowance
• organization membership fees

What is An Employee Benefits Package Worth?

Your hourly rate or salary and job description are important but taking time to look at the entire employee benefits package – and comparing them when you have more than one job offer matters too.

Consider the job responsibilities and total compensation you’ve been offered and look at the value of each benefit and how it will impact your budget, your day-to-day life, and your future.

Sometimes a potential employer with a lower-paying job may actually offer better benefits to employees than the company with the high-paying job, so review the entire compensation program – direct comp + benefits.

Once you're employed, make sure you don't leave any additional benefits you're eligible for on the table.

And if you do not opt-in to certain benefits when you initially become employed, revisit them at open enrollment time to see if they might now fit your needs.

Next: Are There Still Benefits to Being a Loyal Employee?