More U.S. Employees Willing to Sacrifice Pay for Better Health and Retirement Benefits

A growing number of U.S. employees are willing to sacrifice additional pay in exchange for more generous retirement and health care benefits, according to a global survey of 40,000 employees — including 8,000 U.S. workers — by Willis Towers Watson . The global advisory and solutions company also found half of employees would rather receive more substantial benefits (37 percent) and time off (13 percent) than additional pay or bonuses. Over half of respondents (57%) say their benefit package is more important to them than ever before, driven largely by their desire for greater security. Fully two-thirds of respondents are willing to pay a higher amount each month for more comprehensive retirement benefits — an increase from 55 percent in 2011. Finally, 42 of workers polled said they would sacrifice additional pay each month for a more expansive health benefit plan — up from 27 percent in 2013.