Here are three key findings from the study, which includes insights from more than 525 U.S. adults who make benefits-related decisions at businesses with 1 to 99 employees, as well as more than 1,325 employable U.S. adults.

Benefits flexibility is becoming a talent gap. Half of small-business decision-makers are concerned about the impact of benefits on hiring and retention. Of those, 80% say it is difficult to find a health benefits solution that works for employees' different needs, and 96% say offering employees more choice in their health coverage is important.
Employers and employees are aligned on choice, but the tools haven't caught up. Nearly 9 in 10 decision-making respondents (89%) say it is important to offer employees more choice in their health coverage, while 86% of employees say flexibility in choosing their health insurance provider is important when evaluating a job offer — highlighting growing demand for benefits solutions that deliver both flexibility and certainty.
Workers expect to personalize health coverage. Almost all employees surveyed (87%) would consider working for a small business offering a monthly reimbursement to choose their own health insurance.

"The surveys suggest both sides are open to new approaches," the report concludes. "The data shows clear demand, demonstrated by the fact that 88% of owners found ICHRA [Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement] appealing when described, 86% wanted to learn more, and 44% say more plan choice would make them more likely to offer or improve health benefits. Among workers, 87% would consider an employer offering a monthly benefits reimbursement."

Instant Insights /

Small businesses losing talent with 'one-size-fits-all' benefits: Report

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