Report: 66% of workers want to purchase additional benefits

Two out of three workers would purchase additional health insurance benefits to make sure they are protected, according to a report from Aflac. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they would acquire voluntary insurance.

Businesses need assistance when educating employees about the risks of being unprepared for the unexpected. “About half of the workers we surveyed said they’re already struggling with financial stress,” says Audrey Tillman, executive vice president of corporate services at Aflac. “It shows how close to the edge many people are and how an unexpected accident or illness could make things even more challenging, financially.”

If employees encountered a high out-of-pocket expense due to an unexpected illness, 44% say they would have to borrow money from friends or family, use their retirement savings or borrow via a credit card.

The 2011 Aflac WorkForces Report, released June 8, analyzes forces impacting trends, attitudes and the use of employee benefits. It stems from an online survey of more than 2,000 benefits decision makers and more than 4,000 U.S. workers conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Aflac.

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