When you’re searching for a new job, ensuring you get a competitive salary is typically a priority. However, it’s also crucial to look at the broader benefits package. Otherwise, you may be missing a critical perk that can help you live a happier, healthier life, both now and in the future.
Often, certain benefits are particularly critical to the broader equation. If you’re wondering which ones should be priorities for Brookhaven job seekers, here are a few that are usually considered must-haves.
Health Insurance
When it comes to essential benefits, health insurance is usually the most critical. It makes it far easier to manage your wellness, ensuring you aren’t stuck shouldering the high cost of healthcare, experience a financial hardship if the unexpected occurs, or have to forgo treatments because they don’t fit into your budget.
The type of plan and the employer contribution also matter. Not all health insurance is created equal, both from a coverage and a cost perspective. Additionally, some employers may handle more of the premium than others, which can have a big impact on your take-home pay.
Depending on the medical insurance options, you may also need access to a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). Usually, an HSA is designed to make high-deductible plans easier to manage, making them critical if the available coverage falls in that category. FSAs are an option that anyone can use, making it possible to set aside pre-tax money for health-related costs.
Retirement Plans
Another essential benefit is a retirement plan. While professionals can technically open their own accounts, opting for an IRA over an employer-sponsored option, having access to a 401(k) plan or similar option is a boon. That’s particularly true if the company offers any degree of match, making it easier to set enough money aside for your retirement.
Like health insurance, not all retirement plans work the same way. Since that’s the case, you’ll want to review your investment options within the plan and consider whether any match aligns with industry norms, making it easier to estimate the value of this benefit.
Paid Time Off
Having some amount of paid time off is usually deemed vital if you’re going to maintain work-life balance. Ideally, you’ll want sick leave and vacation leave at a minimum. Beyond that, having access to specialty leave options, like maternity and paternity leave, can make this benefit more valuable, depending on your other life goals.
While you’re assessing this benefit, you might want to explore other aspects beyond the number of hours or days you receive. For instance, some employers offer paid time off for holidays while others don’t. Additionally, companies can make their own rules regarding leave requests and approvals, potentially making leave easier or harder to use.
Ultimately, it’s wise to take a deep dive into the paid time off benefits. That ensures you know what you get and how you can use it before you accept a job offer.
If you’d like to learn more about essential benefits, the staff at TempStaff can help. Contact us today.
