5 Benefits Your Job May Offer
3 min read
A first job can be overwhelming, especially when you are unsure of benefits, standards and other information. Switching careers can be even more overwhelming because you flood yourself with thoughts that maybe it is not the right decision for you or wondering if you will like the new job as much. No matter where you are in life, it is crucial to take the time to understand what benefits your job can offer you. Health insurance is a key benefit that may come to mind first, but there are plenty of other possible perks. You might be surprised by what you did not know!
1. Retirement
A good number of employers offer a retirement account that the employee can contribute to. Some of these employers will match your contribution up to a set percentage. It is worth noting if your employer offers to match, as you may want to set your contribution to get the maximum matching amount. This is extra free money that can help you financially when it is time to retire.
If you are about to start your first job, do not blow off retirement accounts. The earlier you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow. There is no such thing as being too young to start thinking about your retirement. From day one of working, you should contribute to a retirement account, whether it is through your employer or another institution.
If you are thinking of making a switch, you may wonder what to do with a 401(k) when changing jobs. You may want to change your contribution percentage, especially if this new employer offers a better matching deal or if you are receiving a raise. If you have a 401(k), perhaps you try to make maximum contributions or increase as much as possible. Traditional or Roth IRA accounts are also an option.
2. Discounts
The initial paperwork may seem like an information overload when starting a new job. However, it can be in your best interest financially to look into all of the benefits in detail. Does your employer offer mobile communication discounts or reimbursement? What about a deal for certain retailers? You may be required to fill out extra paperwork or complete a few additional steps to receive these benefits, but they can save you money.
3. Tuition Reimbursement
If you are currently pursuing a degree or may need one to move up within the company ranks, ask if the company offers tuition reimbursement. Businesses know that education is key. A few companies offer student loan repayment in exchange for a commitment to work a set number of years for the company. Others will provide a certain amount of money towards current tuition each year. College grants and scholarships may also be available to the employee and maybe even to dependents. If you are negotiating with a potential employer, do not be afraid to ask about loan repayment, tuition assistance and other educational benefits.
4. Training and Development
Management is aware and usually pretty in tune with the need for training and development. These opportunities are not cheap, but usually, employers can get a group discount or have a connection that can provide these events. Look for an employer that covers training and development training. Continuing education is also a massive perk that some companies will offer. These yearly allowances help you avoid spending your vacation time or personal money for continuing education.
5. Remote Work
Depending on the time of job you have and the company you work for, a potential benefit could be the ability to work from home partially or fully. This will not be a perk for everyone, as some may not enjoy remote work. However, it is a benefit that you may ask for while negotiating for a new position.
Work is a necessary part of life. There are bills to pay, families to care for and many other reasons why we must work. A new job can be extremely overwhelming. However, you may be missing out on a ton of benefits that you didn’t know about. Consider setting up a time to talk to someone in the company about all of the benefits offered. You’ll benefit by taking advantage of the benefits!
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