How to Build a Benefits Package That Attracts Gen Z Employees
Generation Z is reshaping the health care industry. This group (born 1997–2012) is tech-savvy, health-conscious, and values flexibility. They’re also more open about mental health and want support for everyday stress not just major medical needs.
If you want to attract and keep Gen Z talent, your benefits package needs to keep up.
What does Gen Z look for in employee benefits?
Gen Z employees are looking for more than the basics. They expect:
- Flexible health plan options
- Strong mental health support
- Digital tools and easy access to care
- Benefits that fit their lifestyle and budget
- Employers who care about well-being and purpose
In short: personalization, choice, and real-life support.
How CaliforniaChoice helps small businesses offer competitive benefits
CaliforniaChoice makes it easy to offer modern benefits without compromising your budget.
- You control costs with a fixed contribution (percentage or dollar amount)
- Employees choose what fits them (HMO, PPO, or HSA plans)
- 100+ plan options from seven leading carriers
- Flexibility at renewal to adjust your contribution as needed
It’s a simple way to offer “big company” benefits for small businesses. Here’s the list of premier health plans included in the CaliforniaChoice portfolio:
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
Keep in mind, plan choices depend on where you and your employees live.
Why mental health coverage matters to Gen Z workers
- Counseling
- Therapy
- Behavioral health services
This built-in support helps employees manage stress, stay productive, and feel supported. For full details on EHBs, visit HealthCare.gov.
Ancillary Options, Too
Want to stand out even more? Add benefits Gen Z employees want and will actually use:
- Dental (DHMO and PPO options)
- Vision (eye exams and eyewear savings)
- Chiropractic care (including acupuncture)
- Life & AD&D insurance
These can be employer-paid or voluntary, so you stay in control of costs.
Extra Perks Make a Difference
CaliforniaChoice also includes value-added benefits that align with Gen Z lifestyles:
- Pre-tax savings with POP and FSA options
- Prescription discounts (often lower than copays)
- Fitness memberships starting at $28/month
- Savings on travel, entertainment, and more
- Pet insurance and wellness discounts
Build a Gen Z-ready benefits package — without breaking your budgetg
Gen Z is raising the bar for employee benefits. To compete, you need to offer flexibility, choice, and support for the whole person not just basic health coverage. CaliforniaChoice helps you do exactly that, while keeping your costs predictable. Your employee benefits broker can provide a custom quote for your business from CaliforniaChoice. If you don’t have a broker, it’s easy to search for one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What benefits do Gen Z employees value most?
Gen Z employees consistently rank mental health support, flexible health plan options, and digital access to care as top priorities. Research from SHRM finds that 61% of Gen Z workers would strongly consider leaving their job for one with significantly better mental health benefits. Beyond health coverage, this generation also values lifestyle perks like fitness memberships, pet insurance, and pre-tax savings options that fit their day-to-day lives.
Is mental health coverage required in California group health plans?
Yes, for Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans. All non-grandfathered Small Group health plans in California are required to cover mental health and behavioral health services as part of the Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) under the ACA. This means employees enrolled in a CaliforniaChoice plan have built-in access to counseling, therapy, and behavioral health services — at no extra cost to the employer. For more information about all of the ACA’s 10 EHBs, visit HealthCare.gov.
Can small businesses afford to offer multiple health plan options?
Yes, and CaliforniaChoice is designed specifically for this. You set a fixed contribution (either a dollar amount or percentage of premium), and employees use that amount to choose from 100+ plan options across seven major carriers. You control the budget; your team chooses the plan that works best for them. It’s a straightforward way for small businesses to offer “big company” benefits without taking on unpredictable costs.
What health plan options does CaliforniaChoice offer for Gen Z employees?
CaliforniaChoice offers HMO, PPO, and HSA-eligible plans across all four ACA metal tiers through seven leading carriers: Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan, Sutter Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, and Western Health Advantage. HSA plans are especially popular with younger, healthier employees who want lower premiums and the flexibility to save pre-tax dollars for future medical costs.
How do I find a broker to set up a CaliforniaChoice plan for my business?
You can search for a licensed benefits broker directly on the CaliforniaChoice website. A broker will help you compare plan options, set your contribution strategy, and handle enrollment — at no additional cost to you. Whether you have one employee or 100+, a broker can build a package that fits your team and your budget. Find a broker here.
