WASHINGTON — A recent Watson Wyatt WorkUSA 2006 study finds that employers are underestimating the role that health care and retirement benefits play in retaining top employees.
While none of the employers surveyed think health care coverage is a key reason top-performing employees leave, 22% of top-performing employees cite health care benefits as one of the top three reasons they leave a company.
In addition, 69% of workers are concerned their employer will increase out-of-pocket health care costs through higher deductibles and co-payments over the next three years. Some 53% worry that their employer will reduce the scope of their health care benefits by limiting providers or items covered in the next two years.
Recommended For You
"No employee wants to pay more for less, especially when it comes to their own health," said Ilene Gochman, director of organization effectiveness at Watson Wyatt Worldwide. "As their concerns escalate, employees will increasingly consider health care benefits when deciding whether to stay with their current companies. And if the trend continues, these benefits could become a real differentiator as employers try to hold on to key talent."
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
