The top personal and financial concerns of American workersvary, depending on the stage of their career. Those just enteringthe workforce have considerably different needs from those nearingretirement. Workplace benefit offerings and communications that aretailored to an individual's work stage can help an employee makethe best decisions for his or her personal situation and enhancehow much workers value their benefits.

Employees just beginning their careers (those within the firstfive years of employment) are predominantly focused on immediatefinancial needs. According to the third annual Guardian WorkplaceBenefits study, 92 percent said that making ends meet was a topconcern. Other priorities included having job security (88percent), achieving a better work-life balance (85 percent) andreducing debt (79 percent).

The concerns for near-retirees (those within five years ofretirement) focus more on their futures. Top priorities includedhaving adequate health insurance (94 percent), accumulatingsufficient retirement savings (93 percent) and maintaining ahealthy lifestyle (90 percent).