WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- More than half of U.S. workers are worried their healthcare costs will increase and their benefits will decrease over the next few years, a survey says.
Also, employers are underestimating the role that healthcare and retirement benefits play in retaining top employees, according to two forthcoming studies by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global human capital consulting firm.
The study found that 69 percent of workers are concerned their employer will increase out-of-pocket healthcare costs through higher deductibles and co-payments over the next three years.
Additionally, 53 percent worry that their employer will reduce the scope of their healthcare benefits by limiting providers or items covered in the next two years. More than 12,000 workers across all job levels and in all major industries participated in the study.
The WorkUSA survey says that two out of three employees said healthcare benefits are an important reason to stay with their company.