Voluntary benefits are an important element of customizing a compensation package. Employers in Massachusetts may create their staff benefits to meet the demands of any industry, company size, or city. While medical coverage is provided through insurance, non-medical benefits such as short-term disability and long-term care insurance are included. Voluntary benefits give you the option to construct your compensation package based on industry, company size, and employee specifics. For example, a construction worker will typically require more disability insurance than an accountant because of the type of work. Older employees may want additional long-term care coverage, while those with pets may seek pet-related benefits. Voluntary benefits demands vary over time, depending on an employee's career, sector, and personal choices.
One of the most significant voluntary benefits any Massachusetts business can provide is short-term disability. Following an illness or accident that keeps you from working, this insurance will pay your employees for a brief time. This might range from injuries sustained on the job to one of the highest users of short-term disability being women in their childbearing years and using it after childbirth. The length of time covered by this insurance varies depending on the type of short-term disablement. It's generally between three and six months long.
Around 60% of employers in Massachusetts offer short-term disability, with around 98% of employees signing up when offered. One of the main reasons is that 98% of businesses in Massachusetts do not require an employee contribution, so the employer fully covers the monthly cost. This might differ from employer to employer. The higher cost of the plan is determined by how much the employer pays out. 73% of companies in Massachusetts pay staff on short-term disability a percentage of their salaries. The payment for short-term disability may range from around 50% to 100%. According to the latest statistics, 43% of Massachusetts businesses give a payout that is equivalent to 60%. One-fifth of Massachusetts employers pay out more than 70%. The type of payment received may differ; some Massachusetts companies are allowed to use varying payout amounts depending on the kind of disability and how long someone will be away.
Long-term disability insurance, like short-term coverage, is insurance that provides an income if you are unable to work. Long-term disability insurance might cover severe injuries incurred at work. It can last for years and even until retirement or government takeover of payments. Long-term disability insurance is a critical investment because it reduces the risk of financial failure if you become disabled.
With 95% of workers signing up for the benefit when offered, long-term disability insurance is provided by 57% of Massachusetts employers. Also, with no employee contribution required, 94% of firms pay the full amount. When this is the case, when it is available, there's a high take-up rate for the benefit; it's comparable to short-term disability coverage. Most (92%)plans are set up based on a static proportion of annual earnings for payout amounts. Payouts can differ significantly depending on how wealthy the plan is. The payout for 60% of Massachusetts firms is equivalent to 60% of your salary. This ranges from 50% to 100%, with the majority falling between 60% and 70%.
Term life insurance enables a named beneficiary to receive a lump sum of money when the insured dies. Payment can be triggered by various events, such as terminal illness, under certain plans.
In Massachusetts, 73% of businesses provide life insurance. When provided, 97% of workers take advantage of the benefit. Almost all (96%) employers in Massachusetts do not require an employee contribution. Most (80%) pay a fixed multiple of earnings as the payout method, for example, when it comes to life insurance payouts. 65% of earnings in Massachusetts are paid 1x, with a range of .5 to 2X. The desire for life insurance increases as one's financial obligations rise, such as family or mortgage payments. Life insurance is an inexpensive way for businesses to provide workers with greater financial security. Employees should compare both their employer's life insurance options as well as their own individual policies.
Another layer of coverage is available to employees in addition to their employee benefits. Some examples of supplementary voluntary benefits include pet insurance, accident and health coverage, and travel insurance. 25 percent of Massachusetts businesses now offer access to their workers with long-term care insurance, which is an example of a benefit that is becoming increasingly popular. Understanding how much or what percentage a business will pay for these services is crucial.
To find out how your firm's voluntary benefits compare to those of others in Massachusetts with similar employment and size, download our free Mployer Insights report. Understanding how your plan performs against employers who are comparable to you may be a useful tool for attracting new workers and retaining existing ones.