Credit: Nastudio / Adobestock
Here's a well-kept secret: Benefits offered to employees cost the company money. If someone on your payroll decided they wanted to start their own business, it would be quite expensive to replace all the benefits employers provide along with employment. Let us look at just a few of these benefits:
- Health insurance. Years ago, it was taken for granted. As expenses have risen, employees pay a portion of their health insurance premium. According to research, the average cost in 2021 for an employer sponsored health plan was $ 3,331. Employees contribute about 22%. The firm covers the balance. According to ValuePenguin, the average monthly cost for an individual to buy health insurance in New York State is $776/month or $ 9,312/year.
- Retirement plans. Many firms offer 401(k) plans. Employers typically match up employee contributions up to a certain percentage. The average employer match in 2023 has been 4.7% of an employee's salary. Meanwhile, employees have been contributing about 8.8%. If an employee earning about $85,000 needed to save entirely on their own, they would need to replace the $4,000 their employer was contributing as a match.
- Paid vacations. Why do consultants often charge more than hourly employees? Because when they are not working, they are not getting paid. If that same employee earning $85,000 a year did not get two-week's paid vacation, taking that holiday as unpaid vacation time would cost them about $3,269 in lost income.
- Life insurance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 2022) 57% of workers in private industry have access to life insurance plans. The report shows the percentage is 79% in management roles. Although this type of life insurance is not portable, someone working outside the firm would need to pay to buy the same coverage.
- Disability insurance. There are times when employees get paid even when they are not at work for a long time. Disability is a grim example. Does the company offer paid maternity leave? The rules might vary by state, but if your firm provides this benefit, it is worth pointing out. According to CNBC, 78% of firms offer short term disability coverage and 63% long term coverage. If you owned your own business instead of working for your employer, this is another expense you would need to cover.
- Sick days. If you hired someone to clean your house on a weekly basis, would you pay them if they didn't show up because they called in to the agency and said they were sick? Probably not. Although the federal government does not, generally speaking, have a requirement in this area, 79% of US workers could get sick leave if necessary. The average available is eight days a year for full time employees. Your company probably pays you on days you stay home because you are sick.
What do benefits cost?
Employee benefits can be likened to unseen compensation. Employers pay the expense, yet employees might not use them if they don't need them, are unaware or do not take advantage of them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in December 2022, total compensation costs for civilian workers averaged $42.48/hour. Wages and salaries were $29.32 and benefits added $13.17. On percentage terms, that's 69% and 31%.
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Bryce Sanders
Bryce Sanders, president of Perceptive Business Solutions Inc., has provided training for the financial services industry on high-net-worth client acquisition since 2001. He trains financial professionals on how to identify prospects within the wealthiest 2%-5% of their market, where to meet and socialize with them, how to talk with wealthy people and develop personal relationships, and how to transform wealthy friends into clients. Bryce spent 14 years with a major financial services firm as a successful financial advisor, two years as a district sales manager and four years as a home office manager. He developed personal relationships within the HNW community through his past involvement as a Trustee of the James A. Michener Art Museum, Board of Associates for the Bucks County Chapter of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Board of Trustees for Stevens Institute of Technology and as a church lector. Bryce has been published in American City Business Journals, Barrons, InsuranceNewsNet, BenefitsPro, The Register, MDRT Round the Table, MDRT Blog, accountingweb.com, Advisorpedia and Horsesmouth.com. In Canada, his articles have appeared in Wealth Professional. He is the author of the book “Captivating the Wealthy Investor.”
