Hypothetical comparisons can be instrumental for plan sponsors’ strategic planning, problem-solving and decisionmaking when it comes to employee benefits. Offering such trade-off scenarios allows sponsors to explore diverse participant perspectives and evaluate potential outcomes before committing to a specific course of action.

All Respondents

No-Strings 401(k) Contribution vs. Larger One if Employee Contributes

• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account, or
• $2,000 annual contribution requiring $4,000 employee annual contribution

Lower Premiums vs. Increased Employer Contribution

• $100 reduction in monthly health insurance premiums, or
• $100 increase in monthly 401(k) plan contributions

1-Time Contribution vs. Guaranteed Lifetime Payments

• Immediate, 1-time, $10,000 401(k) account contribution, or
• Guaranteed lifetime payments of $250/month, starting at age 65

Work From Home vs. Higher Salary

• Must work 5 days a week in the office but you’re paid 10% more, or
• May work 4 out of 5 days remotely but you’re paid 10% less

Emergency Savings vs. Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to an emergency savings account, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account

Pension vs. 401(k) Account With Lifetime Annuity

• Traditional pension, or
• 401(k) account allowing partial investment in a guaranteed lifetime annuity

Help With Student Debt vs. 401(k) Contribution

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account

Help With Student Debt vs. Help With Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account

Female Respondents

No-Strings 401(k) Contribution vs. Larger One if Employee Contributes

• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account, or
• $2,000 annual contribution requiring $4,000 employee annual contribution

Lower Premiums vs. Increased Employer Contribution

• $100 reduction in monthly health insurance premiums, or
• $100 increase in monthly 401(k) plan contributions

1-Time Contribution vs. Guaranteed Lifetime Payments

• Immediate, 1-time, $10,000 401(k) account contribution, or
• Guaranteed lifetime payments of $250/month, starting at age 65

Work From Home vs. Higher Salary

• Must work 5 days a week in the office but you’re paid 10% more, or
• May work 4 out of 5 days remotely but you’re paid 10% less

Emergency Savings vs. Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to an emergency savings account, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account

Pension vs. 401(k) Account With Lifetime Annuity

• Traditional pension, or
• 401(k) account allowing partial investment in a guaranteed lifetime annuity

Help With Student Debt vs. 401(k) Contribution

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account

Help With Student Debt vs. Help With Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account

Male Respondents

No-Strings 401(k) Contribution vs. Larger One if Employee Contributes

• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account, or
• $2,000 annual contribution requiring $4,000 employee annual contribution

Lower Premiums vs. Increased Employer Contribution

• $100 reduction in monthly health insurance premiums, or
• $100 increase in monthly 401(k) plan contributions

1-Time Contribution vs. Guaranteed Lifetime Payments

• Immediate, 1-time, $10,000 401(k) account contribution, or
• Guaranteed lifetime payments of $250/month, starting at age 65

Work From Home vs. Higher Salary

• Must work 5 days a week in the office but you’re paid 10% more, or
• May work 4 out of 5 days remotely but you’re paid 10% less

Emergency Savings vs. Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to an emergency savings account, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account

Pension vs. 401(k) Account With Lifetime Annuity

• Traditional pension, or
• 401(k) account allowing partial investment in a guaranteed lifetime annuity

Help With Student Debt vs. 401(k) Contribution

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to your 401(k) account

Help With Student Debt vs. Help With Health Savings

• $1,000 annual contribution to paying down student debt, or
• $1,000 annual contribution to a health savings account