Employee Benefits Insights
Increase Engagement and Reduce Turnover With Effective Benefits Communication
APRIL 1, 2025
To save money on employee benefits, many employers make significant changes to their plan designs and contribution strategies — often without fully explaining the changes to employees. However, benefits are an essential consideration for employees when choosing where to work; 59% of workers say that the benefits offered to them were an important reason why they chose their employers.1 Employees who are unhappy with sudden changes or are not aware of the full value of the benefits offered to them may decide to look for work elsewhere.
An effective benefits communication strategy is a must-have to increase employee engagement and satisfaction — and attract high-quality talent. One recent study1 found that employees who are satisfied with their benefits are:
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1.6 times more likely |
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1.5 times more likely |
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1.5 times more likely |
One-on-one enrollment support is a highly effective way to ensure employees understand the benefits offered to them, but many employers simply don’t have the time or resources available for this level of personalized assistance. Working with a trusted benefits partner can help employers drive engagement by increasing the reach of communication and depth of employee awareness.
What are the basics of a good employee benefits communication strategy?
- Understand where employees (and decision makers at home) prefer to receive communications and create a multi-channel strategy that incorporates all of those preferences.
- Establish a communication schedule to share important details and reminders leading up to and during open enrollment. Consider sending your first communication at least three months prior to open enrollment. This is crucial if there are any significant changes to the benefits offering.
- Explain the reasons behind any changes — deliver the facts about what is changing and why the decision was made. Most employees will appreciate an honest explanation of what prompted the decision.
How USI Can Help
USI Insurance Services works with employers to develop a benefits communication and open enrollment strategy that meets organizational needs.
Our standard service provides:
- Strategic communication planning – A multi-channel approach and timeline that incorporates preferred communication methods.
- Communication materials – Print and digital resources such as memos and email templates, QR codes, and educational videos.
- Open enrollment materials – Custom benefit guides with important notices (which helps meet health and welfare compliance obligations), interactive summary of benefits, new hire and open enrollment presentations and webinars, and benefits education.
- Benefit Resource Center – Call center staffed by USI benefits experts who can assist with plan member benefits questions and claims issues.
Expand Open Enrollment Engagement With Cost-Effective Strategies
USI also leverages strategic partnerships to help clients develop a more robust and engaging employee experience, including resources such as virtual and on-site benefits counselors, enhanced communications strategies, and streamlined enrollment support.
Employers can reduce the cost of expanded employee engagement services and add value to employee benefits by adding supplemental benefits like accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
- These products are usually offered at bundled discounted rates, creating savings for the organization while providing additional coverages employees desire.
- Carrier credits provided with these products will often completely offset the costs to the employer.
USI works with clients to evaluate the most appropriate benefits and communication strategies and solution providers best suited to meet each organization’s specific needs.
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Employers looking to improve employee engagement and reduce turnover should take a more strategic approach to benefits communication and employee engagement. Contact your local USI benefits consultant or email ebsolutions@usi.com to learn more. |
Source:
1 MetLife, 2024 Employee Benefit Trends Study
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