Quick Summary: Most small businesses with 2–100 employees offer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, and a mix of voluntary benefits. Medical and dental are ideal for companies wanting to stay competitive; vision and life insurance are inexpensive crowd-pleasers; disability protects employees’ income; and voluntary benefits add flexibility without increasing employer costs. These benefits work especially well for small teams across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee that need strong retention tools without breaking the budget.

At Strategic Benefits, Inc. in Greenville, SC, we work with employers throughout the Upstate—Simpsonville, Greer, Mauldin, Travelers Rest, and surrounding areas—to design employee benefits packages that fit real-world budgets. Whether you’re offering benefits for the first time or looking to improve your existing plan, understanding what similar businesses provide can help you stay competitive in hiring and retention.

What Benefits Small Businesses Typically Offer

 

1. Medical Insurance

Medical coverage is usually the centerpiece of a small business benefits package. Most employers contribute a percentage of the employee-only premium—commonly 50–75%—to make coverage affordable while managing costs. The most popular plan types are PPOs, high-deductible health plans, and level-funded options.

Learn more about available options through our Employee Benefits page.

 

2. Dental & Vision Insurance

Dental and vision plans are low-cost, high-value add-ons that employees appreciate. Employers may choose to contribute a small percentage or offer these benefits as voluntary (employee-paid). These plans are especially popular among smaller teams because they boost employee satisfaction at minimal cost.

 

3. Life Insurance

Group term life insurance is one of the most affordable benefits an employer can offer. Many small businesses provide a flat amount (such as $10,000–$25,000) or a multiple of salary. Optional supplemental life insurance gives employees the chance to increase coverage at group rates.

 

4. Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Disability insurance protects an employee’s paycheck if they become sick or injured. Short-term disability (STD) covers temporary conditions, while long-term disability (LTD) protects employees from serious, long-lasting situations. These benefits help reduce financial stress—and are often more affordable than employers expect.

 

5. Voluntary Benefits

Voluntary benefits (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, cancer plans, identity theft protection, prepaid legal services, etc.) allow employees to personalize their protection without added employer expense. These offerings work especially well for small businesses that want to provide choice and flexibility.

 

Employer Contribution Basics

 

For businesses with 2–100 employees, contribution strategy is often the biggest financial decision. Most employers:

• Contribute to employee-only medical premiums (commonly 50%+)
• Offer dependent coverage as optional employee-paid
• Cover dental, vision, or life at a flat rate or offer them voluntarily
  
  

Your contribution level affects not only your costs but also your plan’s affordability and competitiveness in the job market.

 

How Plan Design Impacts Hiring and Retention

 

Simple, well-designed benefits can dramatically improve retention—especially in smaller teams where each employee matters. Strong benefits reduce turnover, increase loyalty, and help your business stay competitive against larger employers. Employees consistently rate health coverage, income protection, and clear communication as top priorities.

Strategic Benefits, Inc. also offers Employee Communications services to help employees understand and use their benefits, which leads to better satisfaction and fewer HR headaches.

 

Choosing a Benefits Strategy on a Budget

 

You don’t need a large-company budget to offer meaningful benefits. Small businesses across SC, NC, GA, and TN often build effective strategies by:

• Starting with one core plan and adding voluntary options
• Using level-funded or alternative funding arrangements to save money
• Offering dental or vision as low-cost enhancements
• Providing basic life or disability coverage for financial protection
• Pairing strong communication with simple plan designs
  
  

With the right guidance, even a two-person company can create a benefits package that supports employees and strengthens the business.

 

Ready to Build a Better Benefits Package?

 

Whether you're in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Mauldin, Travelers Rest, or anywhere in the Upstate or surrounding states, Strategic Benefits, Inc. is here to help. We simplify plan selection, compare carriers, and provide hands-on support year-round.

Contact us today to get started: https://www.strategicbenefitsinc.net/