Skip to main content
Back
Scroll to top

Creating a Competitive Employee Benefits Plan

Running A Business 2 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Employee benefits plans are an important part of any business owner’s company structure. Part of attracting and retaining talented employees is offering them a competitive benefits package. Some benefits are required by law, while others can be offered simply to boost your company’s appeal. Creating a competitive benefits package is about finding the balance between what is required, what you can afford and what will make your employees happy.

Employee Benefits Requirements and Extras

The law requires that employers provide their employees with certain benefits, including:

  • Social Security taxes
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Workers compensation
  • Disability insurance
  • Leave benefits (required by the Family and Medical Leave Act)

Optional employee benefits and incentives include health insurance plans, retirement plans and pensions, flex time, free financial wellness programs, and corporate memberships. However, most companies offer at least a few of these benefits given that many job seekers feel that they must have them in order to apply for a job.

To create an employee benefits plan that works well for your company and your employees, start by including all of the benefits required by law, then add from there. Most employees feel that they must at least have health insurance, and many others desire a retirement plan, disability insurance, and more.  Add in the benefits that have become standard in most companies, such as health and life insurance, and consider adding other benefits based on your budget.

It may also be beneficial to survey your employees about what benefits they desire, or you may try to find out what benefits your competitors offer.


*Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value.

———
Sources:
SBA: https://www.sba.gov/content/required-employee-benefits

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:

You may be interested in...

Best Small Business Bank – Albemarle, NC If you’re looking for the best small business bank in Albemarle, NC—the search stops with First Bank. As a local bank, First Bank has a reputation for being an instrumental part of small businesses. Our proven history of small business lending combined with our variety of options for helping manage business funds makes First Bank the best small business bank in Albemarle and one of the best you’ll find anywhere. Better Business Banking First Bank offers top notch business features, such as: Business loans Commercial mortgages Credit cards Free financial wellness programs for your employees Business savings accounts Check fraud prevention and payment processing SBA loans Success Stories Happy Kids Development Center, a childcare facility in Wilmington, NC, made the switch to First Bank for their banking needs. Happy Kids raves about First Bank’s top notch customer service, stating, “the word ‘no’ has not been built into their vocabulary.” Contact or Visit Us Today First Bank opened its doors for the first time just 20 miles from Albemarle in 1935 and began helping local farmers and small businesses manage their money in a time when every penny mattered. It is this foundation that has allowed First Bank to grow into the best small business bank that it is today. Contact or visit one of our two Albemarle, NC locations to see how we can help your business thrive.  Albemarle Eastgate Branch 1910 East Main Street Albemarle, NC 28001 704-982-4949 HOURS | GET DIRECTIONS → Albemarle Highway 52 Branch 2317 Highway 52 North Albemarle, NC 28002 704-982-6060 HOURS | GET DIRECTIONS → Loans subject to credit approval. 2 min read
Image for tile. Hurricane Helene Recovery: Financial Assistance Options 1. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans The SBA offers a range of disaster loans to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not covered by insurance or FEMA. These loans help cover both personal and business expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. October 15, 2024 Update: The SBA announced that it has exhausted funds for its disaster loan program. Until Congress appropriates additional funds, the SBA is pausing new loan offers. The SBA is encouraging individuals and small businesses to continue to apply for loans given assurances from congressional leaders that additional funding will be provided upon Congress’s return in November. Click here to read the press release. Home Disaster Loans: Available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged real estate and personal property, including vehicles. Business Physical Disaster Loans: These loans are designed for businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged property owned by the business, such as real estate, machinery, equipment, and supplies. Private non-profit organizations like charities and churches are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): These are working capital loans designed to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofits meet financial obligations they can’t cover due to the disaster. These loans are meant to support recovery during the disaster recovery period. For more information, visit the SBA Disaster Assistance website or contact them directly. 2. FEMA Disaster Assistance FEMA offers a wide range of financial assistance programs for those impacted by natural disasters. If you have insurance, file a claim immediately, as FEMA cannot cover losses that are already insured. FEMA provides grants for: Temporary housing Home repairs Other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance You can apply for FEMA assistance online or by calling 800-621-3362. 3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Individuals who have lost their jobs or had their employment interrupted due to Hurricane Helene may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This program extends unemployment benefits to those who may not be eligible for state unemployment, such as the self-employed or small business owners. To qualify, you must: Live, work, or were scheduled to work in a federally declared disaster area. Have lost employment or had employment interrupted due to the disaster. Have exhausted regular state unemployment benefits. Eligibility is determined weekly, so you must continue to be out of work as a direct result of the disaster to maintain benefits. Visit the Disaster Unemployment Assistance page of the NC Department of Commerce website for more information about this program.  4. Freddie Mac, HUD, and FHA Mortgage Assistance If your home has been affected by Hurricane Helene and you are struggling to make mortgage payments, Freddie Mac, HUD, and the FHA offer mortgage relief options. These include: Forbearance plans to temporarily suspend or reduce your mortgage payments. Loan modifications to make your mortgage more affordable over the long term. Mortgage assistance programs designed specifically for disaster recovery. Contact your mortgage provider to inquire about disaster relief programs available through these organizations. 5. NC Bankers Association Disaster Relief The NC Bankers Association provides resources and guidance for individuals and businesses impacted by disasters. Through their network, they can help you access financial institutions offering relief, including special loan programs and deferral options for existing debts. It’s worth reaching out to your local bank or lender to inquire about specific programs that may be available to you. Visit the Hurricane Helene page of the NC Bankers Association website for a comprehensive list of resources. 6. WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund – Mountain BizWorks In response to Hurricane Helene, the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, led by Mountain BizWorks, is providing financial relief for businesses across Western North Carolina. This fund is designed to support local businesses that were impacted by the hurricane, offering critical recovery resources, including: Low-interest loans to help businesses rebuild. Emergency financial support to address urgent needs like working capital, repairs, and more. Mountain BizWorks is a community-focused lender that helps small businesses in the region thrive, even in the face of disaster. They are committed to supporting business owners through the recovery process with accessible financing options. Visit their website for more details on how to apply. 7. SBA Microlenders for Business Recovery The SBA also partners with microlenders across the country to provide small loans, typically up to $50,000, to businesses in need of capital. These loans can help cover immediate business needs such as payroll, inventory, and repairs. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, these microlenders are valuable resources for small businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing options. To find an SBA microlender in your area, visit the SBA Microlender List. 8. Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative Appalachian Community Capital has partnered with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide relief grants to small businesses harmed by Hurricane Helene. The grant program is called the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative. Small businesses can apply for grants up to $25,000 to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening including repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more. The application window for this grant is from October 30 through November 27, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit their website here. First Bank is Here to Help If you have any questions about these resources, our bankers are more than happy to help you navigate the questions you may have. Recovering from Hurricane Helene is a challenging process, but these resources are designed to provide financial relief when it’s needed most. If you’ve been affected, be proactive in exploring the options available to you, from disaster loans to mortgage forbearance.  While the road to recovery may be long, these programs can ease some of the financial burdens and help you rebuild your life or business. 5 min read
What is the SBA? If you have a business plan but are having trouble acquiring a bank loan, consider reaching out to the Small Business Association (SBA). The SBA is a government-affiliated organization that provides small businesses with a variety of finance programs. The SBA can help facilitate a loan for you with a third-party lender. What is the SBA? Many people opening a new business may not yet be familiar with the SBA. It’s an agency backed by the federal government that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners access starting capital, and under some conditions approval is guaranteed. In order to help people start or expand their businesses, the SBA partners with a network of lenders to help provide loans, contracts, and other forms of financial assistance. SBA Loan Basics If you’re a small business owner having trouble qualifying for a traditional loan, the SBA offers various different loan programs, each designed for a specific purpose. If you’re starting or expanding your business, consider the following loan programs: Basic 7(a) Program Certified Development Company (CDC) 504 Microloan If your business has suffered an economic loss or physical disaster, consider a: Disaster Loan Veteran and Military Community Loan In addition to those programs, there are also: Export Assistance Loans Special Purpose Loans How First Bank SBA Can Help A lot of business owners just starting out use the First Bank SBA option so they can stop worrying about money and focus on work. Here are the ways our SBA loans help you get off the ground: Acquisition There’s often less risk involved when acquiring a business than if you’re starting from scratch. First Bank gets you the financing you need while providing guidance worthy of an acquisition partner. Refinance Debt For business owners who are refinancing, First Bank will properly evaluate your loan and give you the best plan moving forward. Succession Whether you’re taking over the family business or buying into a new opportunity, First Bank provides business owners with clear guidance and thoughtful planning. Need help figuring out which loan program best fits your financing needs? Talk to the experts at First Bank to discuss loan types and SBA lenders in your area and to get the application process started right away. ———- Sources: Small Business Association: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/what-sba-offers-help-small-businesses-grow SBA.gov 7(a) program: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/general-small-business-loans-7a/7a-loan-program-eligibility SBA.gov: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/loan-programs Loans Subject 3 min read
First Bank logo
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.