The perfect employee benefits survey questions and templates

Choosing a benefits policy that makes employees happy and also appeals to potential hires is essential for any business. Employee benefits surveys make it easy to ascertain if a company is spending money wisely on benefits employees want or not spending on the benefits they need.

Find out what employees really think about company benefits—and learn how to improve them in the future—with SurveyPlanet. We are here to help create the perfect employee benefits survey.

Why employee benefits surveys are crucial

Without a universal healthcare system in place, employee benefits are one of the top factors job applicants look for in the United States. Aside from healthcare, employee benefits also can include programs like 401k contributions, paid time off, sick time, gym memberships, tuition reimbursement, and much more.

Employee benefits communicate that the overall health and wellness of employees are prioritized—as well as their future. Such programs also provide employees with more incentive to work and remain with a company. Employee benefits can help attract and retain top talent and differentiate a company from competitors.

According to a study conducted by SurveyPlanet, salary and health/retirement benefits are the top two concerns of employees.

Companies offering employee benefits usually experience a ripple effect. If employees feel happy with their benefits, they’re likely to feel better and more satisfied with their job overall, which means a lower incidence of illness and use of sick time. Happier employees are also less likely to leave their job, especially if they can’t get the same benefits somewhere else.

If employee happiness and retention are important to your company—which they should be—then an employee benefits questionnaire can help formulate the best benefits package.

What can be accomplished with employee benefits surveys?

Surveys are beneficial because they help ultimately save money and keep employees happier. Begin by finding out if employees like their current benefits. Whether a company offers just health benefits or the gamut—from flexible spending accounts to gym membership reimbursements—it’s important to know which benefits employees find most important, which they don’t use, and those they want to see improved.

Using tools like question branching, in-depth insights can be gleaned regarding specific aspects of each employee benefit. The benefits of employee surveys include everything needed to better understand how to structure resources.

Once responses are gathered, make improvements to current benefits. When employees are happier with these, they feel more appreciated and motivated.

Employee benefits in 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of some new work benefits, including:

• Remote work options: Many companies have adopted these, which allow employees to work from home or another location.
• Mental health support: The pandemic has highlighted the need for mental health services. Many companies have started offering virtual mental health counseling or employee assistance programs.
• Caregiver benefits: With many schools and childcare centers closed during the pandemic, employees had to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. Some companies are now offering additional caregiver benefits, such as flexible schedules or childcare subsidies.
• Technology allowances: With remote work becoming more common, some companies are providing technology allowances to purchase necessary equipment like laptops, monitors, and Internet connectivity.

These are just a few examples of new benefits that have emerged in response to the pandemic. As the world of work continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative benefits and policies that better support employees' needs and well-being.

Employee benefits survey questions 2023

Here are some examples of employee benefits satisfaction survey questions to ask today:

• How satisfied are you with your current PTO amount?
• Are you currently enrolled in our health plan coverage?
• Are you satisfied with the health plan coverage we offer?
• Do you feel the maximum deductible is too high?
• Are you satisfied with your health plan provider options?
• Are other members of your family enrolled in our company's health plan?
• How do our company benefits compare to other companies you have worked for?
• Which of our employee benefits do you like most?
• Which of our employee benefits do you like least?
• On a scale of 1-10, how important are free office snacks to you?
• What other types of benefits would you like to receive? Why?
• Do you understand all of the benefits we offer?
• On a scale of 1-10, how important is each benefit to you?

Retirement survey questions in 2023

Here are some sample retirement survey questions for 2023 you can use in your next survey.

• How confident do you feel about your retirement readiness and financial security in the future?
• At what age do you anticipate retiring?
• Have you estimated how much income you will need during retirement to maintain your desired lifestyle?
• Are you familiar with the retirement plans offered by your employer?
• Have you actively contributed to a retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k), IRA) throughout your career?
• Do you understand the investment options available within your retirement plan and feel comfortable making investment decisions?
• Have you sought professional financial advice or guidance regarding your retirement planning?
• Are you aware of the potential impact of inflation and rising healthcare costs on your retirement savings?
• How confident are you in the performance and stability of your current retirement savings investments?
• Have you considered alternative retirement income sources, such as Social Security or additional investment vehicles?

Anonymous survey responses

Help employees feel safe by providing them with anonymous response options. When answers aren’t tied to names, employees are more likely to respond more reliably. And the more honest employees are, the more that is learned. Use this feedback to provide employees with even better benefit options.

Read this blog to learn more about the benefits of anonymous surveys.

Employer health benefits survey

This survey can provide valuable information—for both employers and employees. Here are some ways an employer health benefits survey can help:

• Understanding employee needs: By conducting a health benefits survey, employers gain insights into what health benefits their employees value the most. This information can help employers tailor their health benefits package to better meet the needs of their workforce.
• Improving employee retention: Offering competitive health benefits can be a key factor in retaining employees. A health benefits survey can help identify areas where the benefits package may be falling short and the changes necessary to improve employee satisfaction.
• Controlling healthcare costs: Health benefits can be a significant expense for employers. A survey can help gather information about the types of benefits employees value most and subsequently focus resources on those. This can help control healthcare costs while still offering competitive benefits.
• Benchmarking against industry standards: Employers can use a survey to compare their health benefits package against industry standards. This can help ensure that their benefits are competitive and attractive to potential hires.
• Communication and transparency: By conducting a survey, employers demonstrate their commitment to their employees' health and well-being. Sharing the results of the survey can build trust and improve communication regarding health benefits.

Overall, an employer health benefits survey can aid business owners in making informed decisions about their health benefits package and improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Five advantages of employee benefits surveys

Sending a questionnaire on compensation and benefits provides these five crucial assets:

• Understand employees' needs: By seeking input, employees are told that you care. Once needs are met, downstream windfalls occur.
• Use benefits investments more wisely: Surveying employees provides information about specific benefits—all of which represent significant investments—they truly care about. The result will be investing more wisely and potentially saving money.
• Keep employees happier: Good benefits take a weight off the shoulders of employees. As a result, they feel happier.
• Improve employee retention rates: High-end benefits are hard to come by. If employees are satisfied with benefits, they’re happier at work and less likely to seek a better opportunity.
• Attract better employees: Not every company offers good benefits—or any at all. By offering an attractive benefits package, more and better applicants are attracted to job listings. This leads to better employees.

Anonymous survey responses

Help employees feel safe by providing the option to respond anonymously. When employees know their answers won’t lead back to them, are oftentimes more open. And the more honest employees are, the more that can be learned. Use this feedback to provide employees with improved benefits.

Sample questionnaire on compensation and benefits

Here's a sample questionnaire on compensation and benefits:

1. How satisfied are you with your current compensation package (salary, bonuses, incentives)?
2. Do you feel that your compensation is competitive compared to similar roles in the industry?
3. Are you aware of the criteria and processes used to determine salary increases and promotions in your organization?
4. How satisfied are you with the transparency of the compensation structure within your organization?
5. Are you satisfied with the benefits provided by your employer (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans, vacation leave)?
6. Are there any additional benefits or perks you would like to see offered by the company?
7. Do you feel that your benefits package adequately supports your personal and family needs?
8. How satisfied are you with the flexibility and work-life balance options provided by your employer (e.g., remote work, flexible hours)?
9. Are you aware of any employee assistance programs or resources available to support your well-being (e.g., mental health counseling, financial planning)?
10. Would you consider leaving your current position for another opportunity that offers better compensation and benefits?

Remember to tailor questions to your specific organization and include any additional questions that are relevant to the compensation and benefits program.

If you want to find out how employees feel about their employee benefits, SurveyPlanet is here to help. We make it easy to create beautiful and easy-to-use surveys that can be sent to employees.

Create your own or save time by using one of our sample employee benefits surveys. Start collecting needed answers that will improve your workplace today. All users gain access to unlimited surveys, unlimited questions, and unlimited responses. Create a free account or take advantage of our Pro features by upgrading. Sign up for SurveyPlanet today.