What are voluntary benefits?
Voluntary benefits — also called voluntary group insurance — are plans available through work designed to support employee well-being by addressing a wide range of evolving life needs. These benefits are often available to employees at significantly lower rates than one would pay as an individual, and they often help cover expenses that may not be paid for by other types of insurance.
Surprise! Voluntary benefits cover that
Get cash to pay for expenses
Voluntary benefits include supplemental health insurance plans, which are products that provide payouts to help offset expenses that medical insurance may not cover.
Fast fact: Half of all full-time workers have less than 2,500 saved for a medical emergency.¹
Accident insurance helps cover any extra, out-of-pocket expenses not covered by health insurance that you might face if you’re injured in an accident.
Critical illness insurance offers similar coverage if you become very ill or suffer a serious medical problem, like a heart attack or stroke.
If you’re hospitalized, hospital indemnity insurance can help cover the costs associated with the stay. This insurance can be especially valuable if your health plan has high deductibles and copays, you’ll need assistance with childcare, or might need to travel far from home to receive medical care.
Protect your loved ones and your paycheck
Life and disability insurance can protect your loved ones and prepare them to live the lives they want to live no matter what comes their way.
Fast fact: Over 40% of families would face financial hardship within six months if the primary wage earner died - and 25% would start to suffer financially within one month.²
There are several types of life insurance, but every policy is primarily intended to pay benefits to your beneficiaries in the event of your untimely death. Life insurance can help give you the confidence your loved ones will be financially cared for.
There are two main types of disability insurance: short term and long term. Both types of plans are intended to help replace a portion of your income in case you become too ill or injured to work. Short term disability insurance typically covers benefits for a period of up to three to six months, and long term disability insurance may pay benefits for a period of five, 10, or 20 years — or even until you reach retirement age, depending on the plan.
Help save on required care
Benefits help you care for your overall well-being. Your oral health and eye care can impact your overall health. Dental and vision insurance help you plan for preventive care and help keep your wallet safe when you need it.
Fast fact: 83% of consumers say good oral health is “important” or “highly important,” although just 50% rate their oral health as “very good” or “excellent”.³
Dental insurance typically covers some of the costs you pay every time you visit the dentist, such as cleanings or repairing cavities. It can help you pay less for extensive dental work or oral surgery.
Vision insurance helps cover routine visits to the optometrist for eye exams, as well as the cost of glasses and contacts, which may not be covered under a typical health insurance plan. It can help you care for your vision without racking up huge bills.
Choose benefits with confidence
As you prepare to select your 2023 employee benefits, use this information to choose benefits that meet your current needs and support the life you want to create.