By: John Mateyko
Amid the current climate of economic uncertainty, I’ve had several employer clients reach out about how they can best support their employees during this time while also keeping their costs in line.
With that in mind, I wanted to proactively reach out with a few benefits offerings that can help your employees navigate a worsening economy while still keeping your costs (and theirs) as low as possible.
Financial Benefits
Financial stress can be unavoidable in periods of economic uncertainty, but there are steps employers can take to set their employees up to weather any hurdles they face.
- Offer – and communicate about – financial education opportunities: At minimal cost to you and your company, you can provide access to a financial advisor, classes, or seminars that can help your employees set realistic goals and achieve them. Research shows that financial stress can negatively affect employee performance and increase turnover rates. Offering this type of education to your employees helps your company’s bottom line and can also improve the quality of life for your employees.
- Provide short-term savings assistance: Help employees save for emergencies by sponsoring an emergency savings account. Contributions are made through payroll deductions and prevent employees from having to take costly withdrawals from retirement savings in case of emergencies. Employers can match contributions as with a 401(k) but do not need to do so. Matching contributions are not made to the emergency savings account, but are instead made to the retirement plan.
- Area business discount: Stimulate your local economy and help employees handle rising costs by providing discounts at businesses employees frequent. The key here is to choose businesses your employees actually go to, so a poll of employees may be in order.
Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Considering one in every four Americans will suffer from a mental health disorder in an average year, you may want to beef up your mental health offerings in times of particular stress. And it will benefit you to do so–companies see a return of $4 for every dollar invested in mental health coverage.
Physical health benefits remain key as well, with a 2019 study showing physical and/or mental health accounted for more than 84% of direct effects on productivity.
Below are a few interesting benefits to consider in addition to medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Flexible work arrangements: Yep, this is a mental health benefit! Flexible work options have been shown to improve employee mental health while increasing productivity.
- Health and wellness stipends: This benefit can cover wellness apps, gym memberships and equipment, and healthy weight management tools. Many of the companies I work with offer a yearly stipend up to a certain amount. Often, this stipend won’t cover a full year of a gym membership, for example. But it will help an employee with the overall cost and –importantly – provide a key incentive for the employee to take care of their mental and physical health.
- Prescription drug discounts: Providing a discount card for prescription drugs can help your employees recover more quickly from illness and feel better as they recover, which is good news for you and them. Prescription drug costs have been rising in recent years, so this benefit can be especially helpful for those stretched thin amid mounting prescription costs and economic uncertainty.
About John Mateyko
John Mateyko is a highly seasoned financial advisor with over two decades of experience in the industry. As the Managing Partner of IDEX Financial, a firm he founded in 2010, John specializes in helping clients create retirement income plans that aim achieve their financial goals.
After graduating from Augustana College with a degree in business studies, John embarked on a successful career, holding key positions at prestigious firms such as Morgan Stanley, Atlas Securities, US Bank, and JP Morgan Chase. Throughout his career, John has been consistently recognized for his exceptional portfolio management skills.
Dedicated to delivering exceptional service, John holds several prestigious certifications, including Fiduciary Financial Planner, Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), and Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA). He is currently pursuing the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) certification from the renowned Yale School of Management, demonstrating his commitment to professional growth.
About IDEX Financial
IDEX Financial, founded as a boutique investment firm in Chicago in 2010, has expanded its presence to the Atlanta, Georgia market in 2018 and established its headquarters in Serenbe, Georgia in 2020. At IDEX, John’s primary focus is guiding clients through the complexities of retirement planning. Recognizing the unique financial circumstances of each client, he develops personalized strategies that aim to align with their individual needs. John Mateyko’s aim is to provide precise advice and foster a sense of security with his goal to empower his clients to make informed decisions about their financial futures.
Outside of his professional endeavors, John places great importance on his family and community. He and his family actively participate in community enrichment activities in Serenbe, a tranquil town in rural Georgia known for its wellness initiatives, strong sense of community, and appreciation for nature.
In conclusion, John Mateyko’s extensive expertise, commitment to continuous learning, and client-centered approach demonstrate his dedication to improving the lives of his clients and the community he calls home.
