Benefits Dilemma

BENEFITS DILEMMA Key findings from Mercer's What's Working™ US Survey Mercer's What's Working" survey asked 2,400 US employees to share their views on work, including benefits. The findings: Benefits now play a greater role in attracting and retaining workers, but employees give their benefits packages lower marks compared to five years ago, and the youngest workers are least impressed with their benefits. BENEFITS INFLUENCE EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS US employees say benefits now play a greater role in their decisions to join or stay with an organization. BENEFITS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE ROLE IN MY DECISION TO JOIN MY IN MY DECISION TO STAY WITH MY ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION 45% 53% Today Today 35% 48% Five years ago Five years ago SOURCE: Mercer's What's Working US Survey, 2011 LOWER MARKS FOR BENEFITS Fewer US employees now rate their overall benefits program as good compared to five years ago. MY BENEFITS ARE GOOD 68% 76% Today Five years ago Men and women hold similar views - 69% versus 67%, respectively, say their benefits are good - but younger workers rate their benefits lower compared to older colleagues. 16-24 59% 25-34 71% 35-44 72% 45-54 68% 55-64 66% 65+ 65% Just over half of US workers today are satisfied with their overall benefits package and key elements of that package. Overal benefits package 57% Medical benefits 57% Dental benefits 55% Life insurance benefits 54% Perscription drug benefits 55% SOURCE: Mercer's What's Working US Survey, 2011 COMPETITIVENESS UNCHANGED, BUT FIT IS WORSE Compared to five years ago, about the same number of US workers say their benefits are as good as, or better than, those offered by other organizations in their industry. MY BENEFITS ARE COMPETITIVE 57% 56% Today Five years ago However, fewer employees now say the benefits provided by their organization meet their needs. MY BENEFITS MEET MY NEEDS 62% 65% Today Five years ago SOURCE: Mercer's What's Working US Survey, 2011