5 Voluntary Employee Benefits That Can Boost Retention
Retaining the best employees means serving their benefits needs. Offering non-traditional voluntary benefits could make this more achievable.
In today's competitive job market, attracting top talent is only half of the battle. Keeping them engaged – and committed to the team – can be even harder.
While salary and core benefits like health insurance remain essential, many employers are discovering that voluntary employee benefits can be a powerful differentiator. These optional perks not only address employees' evolving needs, but also demonstrate that you're invested in their growth, well-being, and long-term success.
Voluntary benefits are employer-sponsored, employee-paid (or partially employer-paid) programs that go beyond the standard benefits package. They give employees the flexibility to choose what matters most to them. In some instances, they can be offered at group rates that are more affordable than purchasing them individually.
Here are five niche voluntary employee benefits that can strengthen your retention strategy and help your employees feel supported and secure:
Vision insurance
Clear vision is essential to performance – both at work and in everyday life. Yet, many traditional health plans offer only minimal eye care coverage. Voluntary vision insurance helps fill that gap by covering eye exams, prescription lenses, frames, and discounts on laser vision correction.
"When employees can see clearly, they can be more productive," says Lugien Alyousfi, licensed agent at Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc. (ADPIA®) and vice president of ADP®. "Affordable eye care demonstrates that you're focused on their overall health and daily quality of life."
This benefit is particularly appealing to employees who spend long hours in front of screens – a near-universal reality in today's digital workplace. Offering group-rate vision plans can help your team stay healthy, focused, and productive – all while keeping costs manageable.
Chiropractic care
Whether working behind a desk or on a construction site, back and neck pain are common workplace challenges for employees. According to the latest data, paying out-of-pocket to correct these conditions can quickly become expensive.
Voluntary chiropractic care gives employees access to preventive and restorative care, including adjustments, pain management and posture correction services. Typical plans also cover injury recovery and ongoing wellness maintenance.
"Offering chiropractic benefits shows employees that you care about their long-term well-being – not just their productivity," explains Alyousfi. "It's a proactive approach to workplace wellness that helps prevent injuries before they happen."
Bottomline: This benefit reinforces that your organization values comfort, mobility, and quality of life – all factors that contribute directly to employee morale and retention.
Short-term disability insurance
Life is unpredictable. Injuries, surgeries, and sudden medical conditions can temporarily sideline even the most dependable employees.
Short-term disability coverage provides partial income replacement for employees who cannot work due to a temporary medical condition. This helps them focus on recovery without the added stress of financial uncertainty or lost wages.
In addition, short-term disability benefits also support a culture of empathy and understanding. Offering it builds trust and reinforces loyalty, as employees are more likely to stay with an organization that supports them through life's unexpected detours.
Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
While no one likes to think about accidents, preparing for the unexpected is a vital part of financial planning. Basic life and AD&D coverage provides employees and their families with a monetary payout in the event of an accidental death or serious injury. It also complements traditional life insurance policies, offering another layer of protection for families during devastating circumstances.
"AD&D coverage is more than a safety net," notes Alyousfi. "It's a tangible way to show your employees that their family's security truly matters to you."
Gap hospital coverage
Even with strong health insurance, out-of-pocket medical costs can add up quickly – especially after a hospital stay. According to a recent government study, the average cost of a three-day hospital stay is around $30,000.
This is where voluntary gap hospital coverage, also known as supplemental health insurance, can help employees manage the costs that major medical plans do not fully cover. Items like deductibles, co-pays, outpatient treatments or surgeries, and post-hospital recovery expenses are often included.
"When employees aren't burdened by surprise medical bills, they can focus on healing," adds Alyousfi. "That peace of mind helps them recover both physically and financially."
Putting it all together
The most beneficial voluntary benefits programs aren't one-size-fits-all. Like everything else in business, these programs must be tailored to meet the diverse priorities and needs of your workforce. To seek more information, it may be helpful to conduct regular employee surveys, open enrollment education sessions, and provide flexible options that can help you pinpoint which perks will have the greatest impact.
By incorporating niche voluntary benefits into your overall strategy, you'll be sending a clear message to your employees: You value them, not just as employees, but as people. That's the kind of commitment that turns jobs into careers.
"Voluntary benefits offer a way to stand out in a crowded labor market," concludes Alyousfi. "When employees feel supported in every stage of life, they're more likely to stay – and grow – with you."
Remember, you do not have to figure this out alone. There are knowledgeable agencies like ADP® affiliate, Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc. (ADPIA®), ready to discuss your individual business benefits needs, helping you simplify the process. and get the most out of your investment.
To learn more about protecting your employees and managing their benefits needs, check out ADPIA, for the latest information about employee benefits.
