Benefits Package

A benefits package is the collection of non-salary compensation and perks provided by an employer. For many employees, benefits represent significant financial value that should be factored into total compensation comparisons. **Core benefits:** **Health insurance**: Employer-sponsored group health insurance (medical, dental, vision). Employers often pay 60-85% of the premium; employees pay the rest through payroll deduction. Higher employer contribution = more valuable benefit. **Retirement plan**: 401k or 403b (nonprofits). Employer matching is free money — typically 3-6% of salary. Always contribute at least up to the match. **Paid Time Off (PTO)**: Vacation, sick leave, and personal days. 15-20 days is standard for professional roles; 'unlimited PTO' requires scrutiny (often means less actual time off in practice). **Parental leave**: Varies widely. Some companies offer 6 weeks; tech leaders offer 16-24 weeks paid for primary caregivers. Critical for candidates planning families. **Other common benefits:** - Life and disability insurance - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Commuter benefits / transit subsidy - Learning and development budget - Home office stipend (for remote workers) - Gym membership or wellness stipend - Childcare support **What to compare:** When comparing two offers, calculate the monetary value of each benefit set: health insurance employee contribution, 401k match value, PTO value (hourly rate × days). Benefits differences can easily account for $5,000-$15,000 in annual value.