American Consumer Credit Counseling explains how consumers can save money and get the most out of their employee benefits
Boston, MA – March 1, 2018
Every company is different when it comes to the types of benefits they offer their employees. Some benefits are required by law, but many companies offer additional benefits that employees should be taking full advantage of. Benefits such as vacation, sick time, and medical flexible-spending accounts often have expiration dates. To help employees effectively utilize all their benefits, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created a list of possible employer-offered benefits to be aware of.
“One major way to save money is to understand and take advantage of the benefits your employer may be offering,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling, which is based in Newton, MA. “Individuals often aren’t aware of all the benefits and programs they may have access to through their employer, and that’s why it’s important to take the time and research these benefits. They can add up to major savings – especially over time – so be sure you’re taking full advantage of everything your company has to offer.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 70 percent of civilian workers had access to retirement and medical care benefits, but only 54 percent participated in retirement and 52 percent participated in medical care in 2017. About 90 percent of full-time employees had access to paid holidays, and 91 percent had paid time off.
- Retirement – Many employers will offer a match for some, if not all, of your 401(k) contributions. Ask around and find out what level of matching your company offers.
- Healthcare – Many employers offer a choice of healthcare plans. Research all offered packages to find the one that is most beneficial to you. Packages often include employee and family coverage.
- Bonuses – Companies may not advertise yearly, monthly, sign-on, or commission-based bonuses, so it is worth it to ask.
- Transportation Benefits – Check to see if your company offers a stipend or discounts for your daily commute.
- Paid Time Off – Paid time off should not be ignored. Check to see if your vacation days have expiration dates so they are not wasted. It is important to take time off every now and then to reset the mind.
- Wellness Programs – In an effort to keep employees happy and healthy, many companies have put Wellness Programs into place. Be sure to take advantage of perks such as gym membership discounts, stress management classes, workout classes, or company gyms.
- Tuition Reimbursement – Many companies focus on enhancing the education of employees. Some will offer tuition reimbursements to those who wish to further their education. It is not unlikely for employees to be promoted upon degree completion as well. More companies are also starting to offer student loan repayment benefits, where employers will pay a portion of the employee’s student loans each year.
- Dental Insurance – Dental care coverage offered by companies provides insurance to pay for a portion of dental treatment costs. Typical dental care plans include preventive, basic, and major services.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling and student loan counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at http://www.ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
