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

For workers, financial protection is increasingly important andbenefits are a cornerstone of their financial plan. Over half ofall workers surveyed reported they appreciate their benefits morethan ever, and one-third are afraid their employers will cutbenefits. However, only 15 percent of employers reported any plansto make such cuts.

The recession has lit a fire under employees' retirementplanning. Sixty percent of all employees, and 73 percent of olderboomers, have reviewed their retirement needs as a result of thedownturn. Slightly more than half say they've pushed back theirtarget retirement date in the past year. Their biggest concern isbeing able to afford health care, as 65 percent of respondentssaid. Outliving retirement income and caring for an ill spouse tiedfor the second biggest concern, each cited by 61 percent ofrespondents.