EMPLOVA BLOG

How to Build a Modern, Competitive Employee Benefits Package

In today’s hiring market, compensation alone isn’t enough.

Top talent is looking deeper at the quality of your benefits, the ease of accessing care, and the level of support behind the scenes. A modern benefits package isn’t just about what you offer. It’s about how it feels to your employees.

So what does a truly competitive benefits strategy look like today?

Start with Top-tier Medical Coverage Employees Recognize and Value

Your medical plan is the foundation of your benefits offering and employees know it.

Working with established carriers like Cigna helps provide:

  • Broad national networks
  • Reliable, comprehensive coverage
  • Confidence for employees and their families

But access to this level of coverage isn’t always standard.

Emplova is among the 1% of PEOs able to offer Cigna medical benefits, placing your business in a highly select group with access to top-tier coverage typically reserved for much larger organizations.

And just as important access to more competitive rates.

By leveraging a larger benefits pool, companies can often secure pricing that would be difficult to achieve on their own, making higher-quality coverage more attainable without dramatically increasing costs.

Predictability Matters More Than You Think

One of the biggest challenges employers face isn’t just offering great benefits, it’s managing the cost over time. Unpredictable medical renewals can make planning difficult and create unnecessary financial strain.

A more modern approach includes predictable medical renewals, giving employers:

  • Greater cost visibility
  • More stable year-over-year planning
  • Fewer surprises during renewal season

Because a strong benefits strategy isn’t just about today, it’s about sustainability as you grow.

At Emplova, we’ve built a track record of delivering highly consistent, predictable renewal outcomes for our clients helping businesses plan with more confidence and less uncertainty.

Make Healthcare Easier to Navigate

Even the best medical plan can feel overwhelming without guidance.

That’s why modern employers are adding healthcare concierge services like TouchCare to their benefits stack.

With Emplova, TouchCare is included for all clients, giving employees built-in access to expert support from day one. These services help employees:

  • Find in-network doctors
  • Compare costs before care
  • Resolve billing issues
  • Get answers quickly without frustration
  • Make enrollment decisions with a one-on-one Open Enrollment Consultation

Instead of leaving employees to figure it out on their own, you’re providing a better, more supported experience.

Layer in Specialty Benefits That Employees Actually Use

A competitive package goes beyond medical, it supports employees across every part of their lives.

Through partners like MetLife and Aflac, employers can offer:

  • Dental and vision coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability
  • Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity plans

These benefits provide financial protection and peace of mind, especially when the unexpected happens.

But modern benefits don’t stop there.

Forward-thinking companies are also offering:

  • Pet insurance
  • Identity theft protection
  • Legal plans

Because supporting employees means thinking beyond just healthcare.

Build Financial Security with Retirement Benefits

A truly competitive benefits package doesn’t just support employees today, it helps them plan for the future.

Offering a 401(k) retirement plan, such as a Slavic401k program, gives employees:

  • A simple way to save for retirement
  • Tax-advantaged investment options
  • Long-term financial security

When paired with strong day-to-day benefits, retirement offerings become a key differentiator in attracting and retaining top talent, especially as expectations around total compensation continue to evolve.

Support Mental Health and Everyday Wellbeing

Mental health is no longer optional, it’s expected.

A modern benefits package should include access to support systems like an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), giving employees:

  • Confidential counseling resources
  • Mental health support
  • Help navigating personal and professional challenges

When paired with solutions like One Medical, employees gain easier access to care, both physical and mental, creating a more complete, human-centered experience.

Don’t Overlook Perks That Enhance Daily Life

Sometimes, the most appreciated benefits are the ones employees use every day.

Perks platforms like TicketsatWork give employees access to:

  • Discounts on entertainment, travel, and events
  • Everyday savings that extend their paycheck further

These may seem small, but they play a big role in overall employee satisfaction and engagement.

Add Expert Benefits Management Behind the Scenes

A competitive benefits package doesn’t run itself.

Behind every great offering is a team that ensures everything works smoothly, from enrollments to ongoing support. This includes:

  • Proactive employee guidance
  • Plan education and communication
  • Ongoing issue resolution
  • Strategic recommendations as your company grows

At Emplova, this support is led by dedicated Client Success Directors with 10+ years of experience, giving your team direct access to knowledgeable, consistent guidance, not a rotating call center.

Employees may not always see it, but they feel the difference when it’s done right.

Focus on the Experience, Not Just the Offering

Here’s where many companies fall short.

They offer solid benefits on paper, but the experience is frustrating, confusing, or impersonal.

A modern approach prioritizes:

  • Clear, simple access to information
  • Real human support when it’s needed
  • Fast, thoughtful responses
  • A seamless connection between HR, benefits, and employees

Because at the end of the day, employees don’t just evaluate what you offer, they evaluate how easy it is to use.

What It All Comes Down To

A modern, competitive benefits package goes far beyond basic coverage.

It’s a thoughtful combination of:

  • Trusted medical plans like Cigna
  • Competitive rates and predictable renewals
  • Healthcare concierge support like TouchCare
  • Specialty benefits through partners like MetLife and Aflac
  • Retirement options like a 401(k) program
  • Mental health and wellbeing resources
  • Lifestyle perks like TicketsatWork
  • Expert management behind the scenes

When these elements come together, benefits become more than a cost, they become a strategic advantage.

Where Emplova Fits In

At Emplova, we bring all of this together combining access to top-tier benefits, more competitive rates, and predictable renewals with a high-touch, fully supported experience for your team.

Because the right benefits strategy doesn’t just support your employees. It strengthens how your business grows, hires, and retains.

Emplova is a unique Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that helps small to medium sized businesses grow and prosper by providing benefits, payroll, technology, compliance, and HR administration. To learn how we can create a winning HR strategy for your business contact us today.