The Employee Perspective: What Global Workers Want in Retirement Benefits

When offering retirement benefits to a global workforce, understanding what employees truly value is crucial. While employers focus on compliance, administration, and cost-effectiveness, employees prioritize security, flexibility, and clarity. Misaligned priorities can lead to dissatisfaction and even retention challenges, especially in today’s competitive talent market.

This blog explores what international employees want in retirement benefits and how your company can meet their expectations to build a more engaged and loyal workforce.

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1. Security and Stability

For employees, retirement benefits represent more than just a financial safety net—they symbolize stability and a long-term commitment from their employer. Workers want assurance that their contributions and investments are managed securely and in compliance with local regulations.

What this means for employers:

• Offer plans that provide clear, guaranteed benefits or stable investment options.
• Partner with trustworthy providers and communicate how funds are managed to build confidence.
• Ensure compliance with local laws to protect employees’ savings.

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2. Portability Across Borders

Today’s workforce is increasingly mobile, with employees often relocating between countries for career opportunities. Portability—employees’ ability to transfer or maintain retirement benefits when moving—is a top priority for international workers.

How to address this need:

• Provide retirement plans that allow for seamless transfers across jurisdictions.
• Work with platforms that track contributions globally and adapt to different regulatory frameworks.
• Offer clear guidance on how employees can manage their benefits during relocations.

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3. Simplicity and Transparency

Many employees find retirement planning overwhelming, especially when managing contributions in multiple currencies or navigating unfamiliar tax systems. Workers want retirement benefits that are easy to understand and manage.

What employees value:

• Clear, jargon-free communication about how plans work, including contributions, fees, and withdrawal options.
• Online portals where they can view balances, adjust contributions, and project retirement outcomes.
• Transparent investment options with straightforward reporting.

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4. Flexibility to Meet Individual Needs

Employees want retirement benefits that align with their unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and career timelines. Cookie-cutter plans can leave employees feeling overlooked or underserved.

How to provide flexibility:

• Allow employees to customize their contributions and investment options.
• Offer supplementary plans like voluntary savings accounts or tax-advantaged investment vehicles.
• Support diverse workforce needs, from younger employees starting their savings journey to older workers planning their retirement.

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5. Alignment with Financial Wellness

Retirement benefits are most effective when integrated into a broader financial wellness strategy. Employees want access to resources that help them make informed decisions about saving and investing.

Ways to enhance financial wellness:

• Provide tools and calculators to help employees plan their retirement savings.
• Offer access to financial advisors or educational resources about investment and tax optimization.
• Include retirement planning in onboarding and ongoing professional development programs.

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Meeting Employee Expectations with Technology

Managing these expectations without the right tools can be overwhelming for employers, especially when dealing with diverse needs across multiple countries. That’s where our platform comes in.

How we help:

• Portability: Our platform ensures seamless management of retirement benefits across borders, making transitions easy for mobile employees.
• Transparency: Employees can access an intuitive dashboard to view their contributions, investment options, and progress toward retirement goals.
• Integration: We integrate directly with leading payroll providers like Rippling, Deel, and Remote, ensuring smooth and accurate contributions.
• Customization: Our tools allow employees to tailor their retirement plans to suit their individual needs and goals.
• Support: With automated compliance updates and a global view of retirement benefits, we ensure both employers and employees have peace of mind.

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Create a Workforce That’s Secure and Satisfied

Understanding and meeting the needs of international employees is essential for building a loyal and motivated workforce. By providing secure, portable, and transparent retirement benefits, your company can foster trust and long-term engagement among global talent.

Ready to deliver retirement benefits your employees will love? Contact us today to learn how we can simplify and enhance your international benefits program.

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