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In today’s uncertain economy, trimming employee benefits can look like an easy way to save money. But while it may reduce costs in the short term, this move often comes with long-term consequences that outweigh the initial savings.
Healthcare costs and economic anxiety are on the rise

Healthcare expenses in the U.S. keep climbing—outpacing inflation year after year. In 2022, healthcare accounted for 17.4% of the nation’s economy, and projections show it could swell to nearly 20% by the end of the decade.1 Pair that with an economy that feels increasingly unstable, and it’s no surprise that nearly 8 in 10 employees say they’re more worried about their financial futures now than they were just a year ago.2

The temptation to cut benefits

Under this pressure, many employers are searching for ways to reduce expenses. More than half are considering scaling back benefits or shifting costs to employees.3 On paper, that may look like a simple solution. In practice, it can backfire.

Why benefits matter more than ever

For employees, benefits aren’t just a perk—they’re a priority. Nearly three-quarters of workers say they would choose better health benefits over a higher salary.4 And for employers, those benefits translate directly into retention: 78% of workers are more likely to stay when they’re satisfied with their benefits.5

Even vision coverage—a benefit sometimes overlooked—matters deeply: 4 out of 5 employees say vision benefits are as important to them as general medical insurance.6

Vision benefits are good for business

Beyond employee satisfaction, benefits like vision coverage have a measurable impact on the bottom line. Untreated vision problems contribute to costly medical issues, more sick days, and reduced productivity.7 Plus, preventative vision care can have an impact on employees’ overall health and wellness.8

The return on investment is striking: for every $1 an employer puts into vision benefits, they save an average of $7.9 Healthy eyes mean fewer headaches, fewer absences, and a workforce that’s sharper, more engaged, and more productive.10

“Good eyesight is essential to daily life—at home, work, school, and in the community. An annual comprehensive eye exam is the best way to protect eye and vision health as well as detect many overall health diseases early, even before symptoms appear. These exams can reveal over 270 health conditions including signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more, helping improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.” 

John Lahr, O.D. Senior Medical Director, EyeMed

Focus on the bigger picture

As they search for cost savings, employers should think twice about cutting benefits. By continuing to invest in the health of their employees, employers show their commitment to their wellbeing while attracting and retaining talent. At EyeMed, we tailor vision plans to drive up utilization, drive down out-of-pocket-costs and create the most value. That’s a winning formula in any economic or healthcare environment.

About EyeMed

EyeMed Vision Care is a leader in vision insurance benefits.6 We deliver stand-out vision benefits centered around an outstanding member experience as America’s largest vision network.11 EyeMed is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Learn more at eyemed.com.

 

  1. “Health Care Costs and Affordability”; KFF; kff.org; May 28, 2024.
  2. “Surging Economic Anxiety Is Today’s Most Urgent Workplace Issue Employers Can’t Ignore”; Allwork; allwork.space.com; August 8, 2025.
  3. “Half of Employers Plan to Shift Health Care Costs to Employees”; SHRM; shrm.org; August 4, 2025.
  4. “New Voya research finds three-quarters of working Americans prioritize health benefits over higher salaries”; Voya; voya.com; September 17, 2024. 
  5. “Earned Wage Access: A Win-Win for Employees and Employers Alike”; HRProfessionalsMagazine; hrprofessionalsmagazine.com; May, 2024.
  6. “Poke, M.; “Employees see vision benefits as critical but often leave them on the table, survey finds”; BenefitsPRO; benefitspro.com; April 10, 2023.
  7. “Why we should be doing more to protect eye health at work”; World Economic Forum; weforum.org; October 10, 2023.
  8. “Why dental and vision benefits are key to improving employee health”; Employee Benefit News; benefit news.com; December 2023.
  9. "Voluntary benefits—Presenting vision so it doesn't get missed"; California Broker; calbrokermag.com; June 2025.
  10. “Seeing the benefits: Why employers should offer vision insurance”; Corridor Business Journal; corridorbusiness.com; May 5, 2023.
  11. Based on the EyeMed Insight network and analysis of competitors’ largest networks via competitor data, 2024.