The workforce's youngest employees have taken a more proactiverole in researching benefits that offer financial protection overthe last two years, according to online studies by HarrisInteractive on behalf of Unum.

"Members of this generation are entering the workforce andbuilding careers during a time of economic uncertainty and intensedebate over health care reform," says Barbara Nash, vice presidentof corporate research for Unum. "They're clearly taking anincreased interest in how they can build and protect theirfinancial lives."

Based on the studies, which took place in August 2008 and August2010, 44 percent of young employees said they are extremely or veryfamiliar with lifeinsurance, an increase from 31 percent, while 43 percent saidthey are extremely or very familiar with retirementaccounts, also a jump from 31 percent. Twenty-four percent ofyoung employees said they are extremely or very familiar withdisability insurance increased, up from 16 percent.

Most young employees, 68 percent, cite the workplace as the mostreliable source for benefitsinformation; however, they are also more likely to researchinformation about financial protection benefits online than theywere only two years ago, the study revealed.

In fact, the percentage of those who used the Internet toresearch benefits providers grew from 32 percent in 2008 to 44percent in 2010, and the percentage of those visiting consumeradvice websites hit 27 percent, an increase from 21 percent. Onlineforums and blogs also grew as information sources from 7 percent to12 percent.

While electronic sources grew in popularity, young employeesbecame less likely to rely on friends and family as a benefitsinformation source. Between 2008 and 2010, the percentage of youngemployees who relied on parents for benefits information declinedfrom 60 percent to 42 percent, and the percentage of those whoturned to friend fell from 30 percent to 21 percent.

The survey also discovered the scope of a provider's benefitswas an important selection factor for 55 percent of generation Y in2010, which is an increase from 44 percent in 2008.

"This generation of workers is a large and influential groupcoming of age at a time when the benefits landscape is changingquickly," Nash says. "Understanding what drives theirdecision-making and how we can meet their benefits needs on theirterms is critical."