Why Benefits Drive Retention, Morale, and Productivity
Employee Health Starts with Usable Health Coverage
In industries where turnover is high and margins are tight, the simplest way to retain great people may also be the most overlooked: give them benefits they can actually use.
At SBMA, we specialize in Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) benefits, voluntary add-ons, and workforce health solutions that make a measurable impact. Our goal? Help employers offer usable, affordable benefits that employees opt into — because they want them, not just because they have to.
Here’s how SBMA’s benefits lead to better business outcomes.
Benefits That Work—For Your People and Your Bottom Line
Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report found that highly engaged teams drive 23% higher profitability than disengaged teams. And benefits are a major piece of that engagement. In fact, 88% of employees say they’d consider a lower-paying job with better health, dental, and vision coverage over one with higher pay and fewer benefits.
The takeaway? Benefits matter—especially when they’re designed around real-world needs.
That’s where MEC and voluntary benefits come in. Preventive care, telemedicine, mental health support, dental, vision, and financial wellness tools help employees stay healthy, stay productive, and stay longer.
A Healthier Workforce Is a More Engaged Workforce
When employees feel supported, their productivity increases—and so does their loyalty. A few key benefits directly linked to morale and performance include:
- MEC plans: ACA-compliant, budget-conscious, and preventive-focused to keep employees on track.
- Mental health support: Reduces burnout, absenteeism, and disengagement.
- Wellness programs: From fitness to nutrition, these programs reinforce healthier habits and better energy at work.
- Voluntary benefits: Including dental, vision, accident, life, and critical illness, offering employees flexibility and choice.
When basic needs are met, employees bring more energy, focus, and enthusiasm to work.
Morale Can’t Be Mandated—But It Can Be Supported
Happy workers are 13% more productive. And that productivity grows when employers invest in the full employee experience—especially benefits.
Morale is shaped by what employees experience every day:
- Do they feel supported when they’re sick?
- Do they have tools to manage stress and financial uncertainty?
- Do they feel valued for what they bring to the team?
When the answer is yes, they don’t just stay—they thrive.
Lower Morale Costs More Than You Think
The hidden cost of poor engagement is staggering. In 2023, Gallup found that 60% of global workers were “going through the motions”—leading to an estimated $8.8 trillion in global economic losses.
Meanwhile, companies that prioritize benefits and employee wellbeing see:
- Reduced turnover and training costs
- Improved team dynamics
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Better long-term profitability
At SBMA, we help employers avoid these losses by delivering real, usable benefits designed for the modern workforce.
Retention Starts with Usable Coverage
Turnover isn’t just expensive—it’s preventable. One in six U.S. employees leave their company for better pay or benefits. But with comprehensive MEC and voluntary plans, you can offer employees the coverage they want while staying within budget.
Even better? You don’t need to break the bank to offer meaningful care. Affordable options like MEC and telehealth give employees real coverage without overwhelming employers with costs.
Let’s Build a Plan That Keeps Your Team Together
At SBMA, we work with employers to build benefit strategies that:
- Stay ACA-compliant
- Support physical and mental health
- Offer real value to employees
- Boost retention, morale, and productivity
Support your people, and your business will follow. Let’s talk about how to deliver benefits your team actually uses—and that your company truly benefits from.
