Deals and People August 20, 2008

Principal Announces 10 Best for Employee Financial Security

August 20, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - By providing financial security in what some are calling a recession, 10 growing companies have earned national acclaim for standing by their employees.
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An independent panel of benefits experts selected The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security-2008, in large part for finding ways to maintain and expand benefits rather than slash them.

Calling their unwavering commitment to their employees “remarkable,” judges applauded the winners for expanding wellness and preventative care programs as well as continuing to share significantly in the cost of health insurance. Judges also cited winners for ramping up benefits communication and education-including sessions on investing in uncertain economic times-and efforts to boost retirement plan savings.

The 2008 winners are:

  • 1st United Services Credit Union, Pleasanton, Calif.
  • A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company, Dubuque, Iowa
  • CENTRIA, Moon Township, Pa.
  • Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Neenah, Wis.
  • NJ Sullivan Company, Inc., Dulles, Va.
  • NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, San Francisco, Calif.
  • North Island Credit Union, San Diego, Calif.
  • SAE International, Warrendale, Pa.
  • The Spiratex Company, Romulus/Monroe, Mich.
  • Torch Technologies, Inc., Huntsville, Ala.

Profiles of the winners are available at www.principal.com/10best .

Trend Setters

The winning companies have turnover rates that are significantly lower than others in their industries. According to the announcement, the winners’ average annual voluntary turnover rate is 7.7%, compared to the national average of 21.9%. Other top benefit trends were:

  • Expanded wellness programs-more comprehensive programs with onsite biometric screenings, disease management, fitness centers and incentives to stay healthy
  • Ramped up communication and education efforts-holding meetings after business hours so spouses can attend and holding contests to engage employees
  • One-on-one meetings at the worksite-All winners provide one-on-one financial and/or benefits guidance, and two companies make attendance mandatory. Some include topics such as reducing credit card debt, buying a home and saving for college and several hold employee sessions on investing in tough economic times.
  • Focus on boosting retirement savings-increased employer matches and shorter waiting periods-some immediate-for eligibility and vesting; auto savings tools, lifecycle funds
  • Phased retirement-Eight out of 10 winners give retiring employees ways to keep working part-time

Program Requirements

The Principal Financial Group sponsors the program, which is now its seventh year. It honors growing companies for their commitment to their employees’ financial security. The Principal 10 Best Companies is a national program that recognizes small- and medium-size companies that excel at giving their employees a financial edge. Entrants must:

  • Have between five and 1,000 employees
  • Be based in the United States
  • Have provided a broad range of employee benefits for at least five years
  • Offer traditional employee benefits such as retirement, health, life and/or disability

To learn more about the winners, visit www.principal.com/10best . A full report on the benefits strategies of the winners will be published in January 2009.

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