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Employers spend significant money on benefits programs, but employees frequently underestimate their value or don’t understand what’s actually available to them. Poor benefits communication is one of the most common, and most fixable, gaps in total rewards strategy.
This guide covers how to communicate benefits value more effectively to employees at every stage.
Last updated: August 2026
Why Employees Undervalue Their Benefits
Benefits are often communicated once a year during open enrollment and then forgotten. Without ongoing reminders, employees lose track of what they have access to, from an EAP program to a wellness stipend, and the perceived value of the total compensation package drops.
Total Compensation Statements
A total compensation statement that lays out salary, employer-paid benefits costs, and retirement matching in dollar terms gives employees a concrete number that’s often significantly higher than their base pay alone.
Year-Round Communication, Not Just Open Enrollment
Sending short, targeted reminders throughout the year, tied to relevant moments like flu season or a new baby, keeps benefits top of mind instead of buried in a folder from open enrollment months earlier.
Plain-Language Explanations Over Jargon
Benefits terminology like deductibles, coinsurance, and HSA eligibility confuses many employees. Communicating in plain language, with real-world examples of how a benefit works, drives higher understanding and utilization than a dense plan document.
How Netchex Supports Benefits Communication
Netchex gives employees self-service access to their benefits elections and total compensation details year-round, not just during open enrollment, helping reinforce the value of their full pay package.
Netchex helps manage payroll, employee information, and time tracking in one system.
— Mohammad A., Junior Accountant, G2
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits are usually communicated once a year during open enrollment and then forgotten, so without ongoing reminders employees lose track of what they actually have access to.
A total compensation statement lays out salary alongside employer-paid benefits costs and retirement matching in dollar terms, showing employees the full value of their pay package.
Short, targeted reminders throughout the year, tied to relevant life moments, keep benefits top of mind rather than limiting communication to the open enrollment period.
Technical terms like deductibles and coinsurance confuse many employees. Plain-language explanations with real-world examples drive higher understanding and utilization.
Ready to See How Netchex Can Help Your Team?
See how Netchex gives employees year-round self-service access to their benefits and pay details.
This guide reflects publicly available product information and independent reviewer data (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, Reddit, Software Advice, GetApp) as of 2026. Feature availability and pricing may vary by plan. Contact each provider for current details.
Disclaimer: Any product roadmap or future plans provided herein are for informational purposes only. They do not represent a commitment to deliver any material, code, feature, or functionality. Plans may change without notification. The development, release and timing of any features or functionality described remain at the sole discretion of Netchex, its affiliates, and partners. Netchex does not give legal, tax, or accounting advice. You are responsible for ensuring your use of Netchex product meets your individual business and compliance requirements.
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