When it comes to insurance plans, Millennials want to understand the basics—what's covered, how much it costs, and why they might consider a specific offering over another. (Photo: Shutterstock)
As two millennials ourselves, we know what most people think about Generation Y. Many use terms like "techy," "entitled" and maybe even "lazy" to describe our generation.
But, the reality is today's millennials are more global, civic-minded and, though you may not expect it, financially conscious than any other generation. And, according to the Pew Research Center, we now represent 35 percent of today's workforce.
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Millennials are also now getting married and starting families. And yes, purchasing more benefits products through their employers as a result.
As we millennials grow up, it's important to reconsider how you communicate with us about benefits—because it's a lot different than how you've communicated with other employees in the past.
For example, consider your Gen X and Baby Boomer employees for a moment. When you communicate about benefits with them, it's relatively straightforward. You probably use tools like email, in-person meetings, flyers and newsletters. And messaging probably revolves around safety, reducing risk and explaining the finer points of the benefits themselves.
But when you're talking about benefits to millennials, things should be a little different. We're more digitally fluent than other generations. We're demanding more flexibility—in our work and family lives. And, we're increasingly cost-conscious.
It's a different approach. And, we want to talk about three key ways you can start to reshape how talk with millennials more effectively when it comes to benefits:
For millennials, it's all about the emotion and sense of responsibility. One of the most interesting findings we've picked up over the last few years when communicating with millennials has been to focus messaging on making an emotional connection. Highlight the peace of mind benefits will provide. Discuss the fact that purchasing benefits like disability, life and critical illness insurance through their employer is the right, and responsible, thing to do.
In a recent survey conducted on behalf of Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions "providing peace of mind" was the number one reason millennials gave for why they enrolled in key benefit areas. While this was true across all generations in the study, millennials chose "it's the responsible thing to do" more than others as a secondary reason for purchase. That emotional connection tied in with responsibility is absolutely key when talking to this demographic.
Millennial stereotypes don't apply. If you're communicating with millennials, most people would think digital technologies like text messages and social media would be the way to go. However, that's not the case. According to Trustmark research, millennials listed "meeting in person" and "calling a representative" as their top preferred channels for communicating during enrollment periods—followed by digital communications channels. Surprising, right? It probably shouldn't be, given millennials' desire for more personalization in multiple facets of their lives.
Value, convenience and high-level messaging are key. Through our research, we found that millennials react favorably to messaging around value and convenience—so be sure to hit on those points throughout the enrollment process. For instance, explain why coverage is needed or why an employer-paid policy is not enough. Talk about benefit policy costs in comparison to other low-cost items, like a daily cup of coffee. Discuss the value of employer contributions—and what those contributions can mean to millennials' bottom lines. Also, make sure to share the convenience and ease of payroll deductions; how their employer is simplifying things by making the deduction and payment for them.
Finally, remember, when it comes to benefits, millennials aren't as concerned about the details of their insurance plans. They want to understand the basics—what's covered, how much it costs, and why they might consider a specific offering over another. Resist the urge to focus on the fine print, and keep messaging at the higher levels.
Magic number 3
One more thing that may help reshape your approach to communicating with millennials: The number three. That's the minimum number of times you should be communicating with millennials during your enrollment process. Our research found that employees remembered and appreciated benefits more when they saw three or more distinct communications. In fact, 72 percent of employees who received three types of benefits communication rate themselves "likely" or "very likely" to recommend their employer based specifically on their benefits program.
Does that help give you some ideas for how to reshape your approach to communicating with millennials about benefits? Overall, just make sure to remember that we millennials are looking for personal and professional offerings from our employers that are unique to us—including benefits. And be sure you're ready to talk with millennials using the right messaging, the right tools and the right cadence to ensure success.
Mike Dahlinger and Cy Moser are regional sales representatives at Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions.
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