National Compensation Survey:

Employee Benefits in Private Industry

in the United States, 2005

U.S. Department of Labor

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

May 2007

Bulletin 2589
National Compensation Survey:

Employee Benefits in Private Industry

in the United States, 2005

U.S. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Philip L. Rones, Acting Commissioner

May 2007

Bulletin 2589
iii

Preface

This bulletin presents findings of the 2005 National 

Compensation Survey (NCS) regarding detailed provisions of healthcare and retirement plans in private 

industry conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(BLS). Data on incidence and provisions of selected benefit plans have been published separately; the latest release, 

March 2006, can be found at the BLS Web site at www.bls.

gov/ncs/ebs/sp/ebsm0004.pdf. 

The public may access other NCS benefit incidence and 

provisions data through the BLS Web site at www.bls.gov/

ncs/ebs/home.htm. Questions on the data in this publication 

should be referred to the staff of the NCS at (202) 606-6199 

or via E-mail: NCSINFO@bls.gov. Sensory-impaired individuals may obtain information upon request. Voice phone: 

(202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.
iv
Contents

Page

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Chapter 1. Health Benefits ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Medical Care ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Plans and systems.................................................................................................................................................... 3

Limitations on coverage .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Alternatives to hospitalization................................................................................................................................. 4

Mental health and substance abuse treatment ......................................................................................................... 4

Related terms........................................................................................................................................................... 4

Prescription Drugs........................................................................................................................................................ 4

Dental Care................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Vision Care................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Tables:

Medical care:

 1. Medical care benefits: Fee arrangement and financial intermediary ................................................................ 6

 2. Medical care benefits: Coverage for selected services by type of plan............................................................ 8

 3. Medical care benefits: Copayment provisions for hospital room and board by plan type ................................ 10

 4. Medical care benefits: Relationship between alcohol and drug abuse treatment provisions in indemnity

 and prepaid plans............................................................................................................................................... 11

 5. Indemnity plans: Coverage for selected services ............................................................................................. 12

 6. Indemnity plans in and outside of network: Summary of selected features..................................................... 13

 7. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Average dollar limits .............................................................................. 14

 8. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Amount of individual deductible............................................................ 15

 9. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Individual deductible differences between

 in-network and outside-of-network coverage.................................................................................................... 17 

10. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Relationship between individual and family deductible ........................ 18

11. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coinsurance rates ................................................................................... 19

12. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coinsurance rate differences between in-network

 and outside-of-network coverage ...................................................................................................................... 21

13. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions......................................... 22

14. Traditional indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions ...................... 24

15. Indemnity plans in and outside of network with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket

 expense provisions............................................................................................................................................. 26

16. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum benefit provisions.................................................................. 27

17. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coverage for alternatives to hospital care.............................................. 28

18. Prepaid plans: Coverage for selected services and alternatives to hospital care.............................................. 29

19. Prepaid plans: Summary of selected features................................................................................................... 30

20. Prepaid plans: Extent of coverage for extended care facilities.......................................................................... 31

21. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Summary of coverage.......................................................................... 31

22. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Name-brand drug provisions in indemnity plans ................................. 32

23. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Name-brand drug provisions in prepaid plans...................................... 33

Mental health care and substance abuse treatment:

24. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Comparison with coverage for other illnesses.... 34

25. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Coverage in indemnity plans............................. 35

26. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Coverage in prepaid plans .................................. 37
vi

Contents—Continued

Page

Chapter 1. Tables—Continued

27. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Application to out-of-pocket

 expense provisions in indemnity plans.............................................................................................................. 38

28. Mental health care benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity and prepaid plans............................... 40

29. Alcohol abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity plans.......................................... 42

30. Alcohol abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in prepaid plans.............................................. 43

31. Drug abuse treatment: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity plans............................................................ 44

32. Drug abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in prepaid plans.................................................. 45

Dental care:

33. Dental care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures and average percentage of

 usual, customary, and reasonable charge........................................................................................................... 46

34. Dental care benefits: Amount of individual deductible .................................................................................... 50

35. Dental care benefits: Relationship of yearly family deductibles to yearly individual deductibles................... 50

36. Dental care benefits: Maximum benefit provision............................................................................................ 51

37. Orthodontia care benefits: Maximum benefit provision................................................................................... 51

38. Orthodontia care benefits: Type of individuals covered................................................................................... 52

39. Orthodontia care benefits: Comparison in dollar maximums between employees and dependents.................. 52

Vision care:

40. Vision care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures................................................................................... 53

Chapter 2. Retirement Income Benefits ...................................................................................................................... 54

Defined Benefit Plans................................................................................................................................................... 54

Traditional................................................................................................................................................................ 54

Other types............................................................................................................................................................... 54

Normal retirement ................................................................................................................................................... 54

Early retirement....................................................................................................................................................... 54

Benefit payment methods........................................................................................................................................ 54

Vesting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 55

Integration with Social Security .............................................................................................................................. 55

Portability ................................................................................................................................................................ 55

Disability retirement................................................................................................................................................ 55

Defined Contribution Plans.......................................................................................................................................... 55

Plan types................................................................................................................................................................. 55

Investment choices .................................................................................................................................................. 56

Withdrawals and loans............................................................................................................................................. 56

Vesting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56

Employer contribution methods.............................................................................................................................. 56

Related plans and terms........................................................................................................................................... 56

Tables:

Defined benefit plans:

41. Defined benefit plans: Summary of plan provisions ........................................................................................ 58

42. Defined benefit plans: Eligibility requirements................................................................................................ 59

43. Defined benefit plans: Plan sponsor ................................................................................................................. 60

44. Defined benefit plans: Primary formula ........................................................................................................... 60

45. Defined benefit plans: Integration with Social Security................................................................................... 61

46. Defined benefit plans: Terminal earnings formulas.......................................................................................... 61

47. Defined benefit plans: Definition of terminal earnings..................................................................................... 62

48. Defined benefit plans: Dollar amount formulas................................................................................................ 63

49. Defined benefit plans: Maximum benefit provisions........................................................................................ 64
vii

Contents—Continued

Page

Chapter 2. Tables—Continued

50. Defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for normal retirement...................................... 65

51. Defined benefit plans: Availability of lump-sum benefits at retirement ........................................................... 66

52. Defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for early retirement......................................... 67

53. Defined benefit plans: Early retirement reductions.......................................................................................... 68

54. Defined benefit plans: Initiation of calculating disability retirement benefits.................................................. 68

55. Defined benefit plans: Postretirement survivor benefits................................................................................... 69

56. Defined benefit plans: Preretirement survivor benefits .................................................................................... 69

57. Defined benefit plans: Vesting requirements.................................................................................................... 70

58. Defined benefit plans: Provisions for early receipt of deferred vested benefits............................................... 70

59. Traditional defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for early retirement ....................... 71

60. Traditional defined benefit plans: Early retirement reductions.......................................................................... 72

61. Traditional defined benefit plans: Provisions for early receipt of deferred vested benefits............................... 72

62. Cash balance plans: Percentage basis of employer and interest rate contributions.......................................... 73

Defined contribution plans:

63. Defined contribution plans: Participation in types of plans with employer contributions............................... 74

Savings and thrift plans: 

64. Savings and thrift plans: Summary of provisions............................................................................................. 74

65. Savings and thrift plans: Plan sponsor.............................................................................................................. 75

66. Savings and thrift plans: Transfer and rollover provisions............................................................................... 75

67. Savings and thrift plans: Maximum employee contributions........................................................................... 76

68. Savings and thrift plans: Method of determining employee pretax contribution............................................. 77

69. Savings and thrift plans: Maximum pretax employee contributions................................................................ 78

70. Savings and thrift plans: Method of employer matching contributions........................................................... 79

71. Savings and thrift plans: Employee contributions by employer specified matching percentage ..................... 80

72. Savings and thrift plans: Investment choices ................................................................................................... 81

73. Savings and thrift plans: Eligibility requirements............................................................................................ 82

74. Savings and thrift plans: Automatic enrollment requirements......................................................................... 83

75. Savings and thrift plans: Vesting provisions..................................................................................................... 83

 Deferred profit-sharing plans:

76. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Employer contribution ..................................................................................... 84

77. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Allocation of employer contributions to individual employee accounts.......... 84

78. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Eligibility requirements ................................................................................... 85

 Money purchase pension plans:

79. Money purchase pension plans: Employer contributions................................................................................. 86

Appendix A. Technical Note

Scope of survey ....................................................................................................................................................... 87

Industry groups........................................................................................................................................................ 87

Occupational groups................................................................................................................................................ 87

Definition of terms................................................................................................................................................... 87

Calculation details................................................................................................................................................... 87

Benefit areas ............................................................................................................................................................ 88

Sample design and data collection .......................................................................................................................... 88

Data calculation....................................................................................................................................................... 88

Survey estimation methods...................................................................................................................................... 89

Reliability of estimates............................................................................................................................................ 89

Table A-1. Number of establishments and occupational observations studied and estimated number of

 workers within the scope of the survey, 2005 ............................................................................................ 90

Appendix B. Survey Response................................................................................................................................... 91


Introduction

This bulletin includes data on detailed provisions of 

healthcare and retirement plans offered as employee 

benefits in private industry establishments. The period 

for compiling these data was June 2004 through December 

2005; thus, they have a 2005 reference date. Chapter 1 presents information on healthcare benefits, and chapter 2, on

defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans. 

A note on the tables

Interpreting the tables in terms of the group of employees described is the key to understanding and correctly using the data. Most of the tables in the bulletin exhibit the percentage of all employees with access to, 

or participating in, a particular benefit plan or the percentage covered by a specific provision. For example, 

table  indicates the percentage of all workers participating in a medical plan by the type of fee arrangement

and financial intermediary. Indemnity or fee-for-service plans account for 76 percent of participants and prepaid or HMO plans for 24 percent of participants. Other tables provide information on workers participating 

in a plan, along with information on particular features of the plan. For example, table 18 indicates that 71 

percent of workers in prepaid plans have impatient surgery costs covered in full while 29 percent are subject 

to limits. In this case, the title reads “Prepaid plans.” The “total” line in table 18 (100 percent) represents all 

workers in prepaid plans. All other figures shown in this table are percentages of this subset of workers. 

Another type of table contains data on average values—for example, an average annual deductible or a 

lifetime maximum. In these tables, the average value shown is based only on those who were affected by 

the provision; employees without such coverage were not included in the calculation of an average value. 

In table 7, for example, the calculation of the average deductible is based on workers required to pay a deductible. A careful reading of the title, column and row headings of each table will help clarify its content. 

More detail on the calculation of benefit participation percentages and benefit provision averages is given in 

appendix A.



The National Compensation Survey collects information on a variety of health benefits, including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision care. Definitions 

of major types of plans, key provisions, and related terms 

follow.

Medical Care

Medical care plans provide services or payments for services 

rendered in the hospital or by a qualified medical care provider. Those plans that provide only dental, vision, or prescription drug coverage are tabulated separately and described in 

their own sections.

Plans and systems

Indemnity plan. This type of medical plan reimburses the patient or the provider as expenses are incurred.

Traditional indemnity plan. A traditional indemnity medical 

plan allows the participant the choice of any provider, without affecting reimbursement. This type of plan reimburses 

the patient or the provider as expenses are incurred.

Indemnity in and outside of network plan (formerly called a 

preferred provider organization or PPO plan). This kind of 

indemnity plan provides coverage to participants through a 

network of selected healthcare providers. Enrollees may receive services outside the network, but at higher costs. The 

additional costs may be in the form of higher deductibles or 

coinsurance rates, or both, or non-discounted charges from 

providers. Under this type of plan, there may be a requirement to obtain a primary care physician’s referral prior to 

obtaining medical care from a specialist. If this requirement 

is not met, benefits may be reduced.

Prepaid plan, or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). 

A prepaid or HMO healthcare plan that assumes both the financial risks associated with providing comprehensive medical services and the responsibility for healthcare delivery in a 

particular geographic area, usually in return for a fixed, prepaid fee from members. 

Prepaid in network (traditional HMO). This kind of plan 

provides no benefits for services obtained outside the network.

Prepaid in and outside of network (Point of Service HMO). 

A POS plan is an HMO/PPO hybrid. POS plans resemble 

HMOs for in-network services. Services received outside the 

network are usually reimbursed in a manner similar to traditional indemnity plans (e.g., provider reimbursement based 

on a fee schedule or on what the insurer considers “usual, 

customary, and reasonable” charges).

Network model HMO. An HMO contracts with multiple 

physician groups to provide services to its members. The 

physician groups may involve large single- and multispecialty groups and may provide services to both HMO and 

non-HMO plan participants.

Group/Staff HMO. This is a type of closed-panel HMO, 

meaning patients can receive services only through a limited 

number of providers. Under this type of plan, physicians are 

employees of the HMO, and they see patients in the HMO’s 

own facilities.

Individual Practice Association (IPA) HMO. An IPA is composed of a group of independent practicing physicians, who 

maintain their own offices and band together to contract their 

services to HMOs. An IPA may contract with and provide 

services to both HMO and non-HMO plan participants.

Mixed-model HMO. An HMO initially adopts one type of 

model, such as a group/staff model, and then expands its 

capacity or its geographic region by adding another type of 

model, such as an independent practice association (IPA) 

HMO. 

Limitations on coverage

Maximum dollar limit. This refers to the maximum amount 

payable by the insurer for covered expenses for the enrollee 

and each covered dependent while enrolled in the health plan. 

Plans can have a yearly or a lifetime maximum dollar limit. 

The most typical maximum limit is a lifetime amount of $1 

million per individual.

Maximum out-of-pocket expense. This is a limit on the dollar 

amount that a group member is required to pay out of pocket 

during the benefit period. Until this maximum is met, the plan 

and the member share the cost of covered expenses. After the 

maximum is reached, the insurance carrier pays all covered 

expenses, often up to a lifetime maximum.

Deductible. The deductible is a fixed dollar amount that the 

enrollee pays during the benefit period—usually a year—beChapter 1. Health Benefits
fore the insurer starts to make payments for covered medical 

services. Plans may have both individual and family deductibles. Some plans have separate deductibles for specific services. For example, a plan may have a hospitalization deductible per admission. Deductibles may differ between services 

received from an approved provider—that is, a provider with 

whom the insurer has a contract or an agreement specifying 

payment levels and other requirements—and those received 

from providers not on the approved list.

Coinsurance. This form of medical cost sharing requires an 

enrollee to pay a stated percentage of medical expenses after 

the deductible amount, if any, is paid. After any deductible 

amount and coinsurance are paid, the insurer is responsible 

for the rest of the reimbursement for covered benefits, up to 

the maximum allowed charges. The individual is responsible 

for any charges in excess of what the insurer determines to be 

“usual, customary, and reasonable.” Coinsurance rates may 

differ between services received from an approved provider 

and those received by providers not on the approved list.

Overall limits. These are restrictions that apply to all or most 

benefits under the plan, as opposed to selected individual 

benefits—for example—a $300 per year deductible that must 

be paid before medical expenses become eligible for reimbursement. Another example would be an 80-percent coinsurance that applies to all categories of care except outpatient 

surgery. 

Internal limits. An internal limit applies to individual categories of care—for example, a $250 per procedure deductible 

for in-patient surgery. 

Alternatives to hospitalization

Alternatives to hospitalization are offered as a means of reducing costs.

Extended-care facilities. These facilities provide skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and convalescent services to patients 

who require less intensive treatment than that provided in a 

hospital.

Home health care. These services provide skilled nursing and 

related care to patients in their own homes.

Hospice care. These programs provide nursing care and psychological support to terminally ill patients and their families, either on an inpatient basis or in the patient’s home.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment

These services include inpatient and outpatient care for psychiatric conditions and alcohol or drug dependency. The coverage is generally more restrictive than that for general medical conditions.

Detoxification. This treatment involves supervised care by 

medical personnel that is designed to reduce or eliminate the 

symptoms of chemical dependency. Treatment can occur on 

an inpatient or an outpatient basis.

Rehabilitation. These services are intended to alter the 

behavior of substance abusers and usually are provided after 

detoxification is complete. Services can be provided on an 

inpatient or outpatient basis.

Related terms

Premium. A premium is the fee paid for coverage of medical benefits for a defined period. Premiums can be paid by 

employers, unions, or employees or can be shared by the 

enrollee and the plan sponsor.

Self-insured plan. Under this type of plan, employers directly 

assume the major cost of health insurance for their employees. Some self-insured plans bear the entire risk. Other selfinsured employers insure against large claims by purchasing 

stop-loss coverage. Some self-insured employers contract 

with insurance carriers or third-party administrators for 

claims processing and other administrative services; other 

self-insured plans are self-administered.

Administrative services only (ASO). Under this type of plan, 

a third party disburses the employer’s funds to pay claims 

and handle other administrative details.

Insured plan. The employer contracts with another organization to assume financial responsibility for the costs of enrollees’ medical claims.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug plans provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs. Prescription drugs dispensed during a hospital stay are covered as hospital miscellaneous charges.

Name-brand drugs. These are drugs that once were, or still 

are, under patents.

Generic drugs. These are drugs that are not under patent. 

Once a drug’s patent has expired, some plans provide more 

generous coverage for same-formula generic drugs than for 

name-brand drugs; the practice is adopted as a cost containment measure.

Mail-order drugs. These are drugs that can be ordered through 

the mail. As a cost containment measure, some plans use 

mail-order pharmacies that typically provide 3-month supplies of maintenance drugs

Formulary drugs. These are drugs approved by the healthcare provider. Drugs not approved by the healthcare provider 

are nonformulary drugs, for which enrollees receive less

generous benefits, such as a higher per prescription copayment.


Dental Care

Dental care plans provide services or payments for preventive and restorative care and related dental services.

Preventive services. Such services include routine exams and 

x rays.

Restorative services. These services include fillings, dental surgery, endodontics (root canal therapy), periodontics

(treatment for gum disease), crowns, and prosthetics

(replacement of missing teeth with bridgework or dentures).

Orthodontia services. These are services for the correction of 

malpositioned teeth.

Vision Care

Vision care plans provide coverage for eyeglasses, eye exams, 

and contact lenses. Coverage is typically limited and is subject to applicable copayments or scheduled cash allowances.
Table 1. Medical care benefits: Fee arrangement and financial intermediary, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Fee arrangement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity

Total ...................................................... 76 72 83 72 84 72 73 77 77 75

Self insured ....................................... 32 30 38 27 37 30 25 38 39 31

With administrative services only

contract ........................................ 24 24 25 22 26 23 17 30 21 25

Without administrative services

only contract ................................ 6 4 11 5 9 5 6 7 15 5

Not determinable ........................... 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2

Insured .............................................. 43 42 45 44 47 42 48 39 38 44

Combined financed ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 ( )

Traditional indemnity

Total ...................................................... 7 6 10 - 10 6 7 7 17 6

Self insured ....................................... 3 2 6 - 5 3 4 3 11 2

With administrative services only

contract ........................................ 2 2 3 - 4 1 2 2 4 2

Without administrative services

only contract ................................ 1 1 ( ) 3 - 1 ( ) 1 2 1 6 1 ( )

Not determinable ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 - 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( )

Insured .............................................. 4 4 4 - 5 4 3 4 6 4

Indemnity in and outside of network

Total ...................................................... 64 62 69 62 71 62 62 66 57 66

Self insured ....................................... 27 25 32 22 32 25 19 33 26 27

With administrative services only

contract ........................................ 20 20 22 17 22 20 14 26 16 21

Without administrative services

only contract ................................ 5 4 8 5 9 4 4 6 9 4

Not determinable ........................... 2 2 1 1 ( ) 1 2 2 1 2 1

Insured .............................................. 37 37 37 40 39 37 43 33 30 38

Combined financed ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 ( )

Indemnity in and outside of network

without primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 51 50 54 52 56 49 50 52 45 52

Self insured ....................................... 21 19 25 17 26 19 13 27 21 21

With administrative services only

contract ........................................ 16 15 18 12 18 15 9 21 11 16

Without administrative services

only contract ................................ 4 2 6 4 7 3 2 5 8 3

Not determinable ........................... 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1 1 2 1 2 1

Insured .............................................. 30 30 28 35 30 30 37 25 24 31

Combined financed ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

Indemnity in and outside of network

with primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 13 13 15 - 14 13 12 14 - 13

Self insured ....................................... 6 6 6 - 6 6 6 6 - 6

With administrative services only

contract ........................................ 5 5 4 - 4 5 5 5 - 5

Without administrative services

only contract ................................ 1 1 2 - 2 1 1 1 - 1

Not determinable ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

Insured .............................................. 7 6 8 - 8 6 6 8 - 7

Combined financed ........................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 ( )

Other2

Total ...................................................... 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Medical care benefits: Fee arrangement and financial intermediary, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

 — Continued

Fee arrangement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Prepaid

Total ...................................................... 24 28 17 28 16 28 27 23 23 25

Self insured ....................................... 2 3 1 ( ) 4 1 2 1 3 1 2

Insured .............................................. 22 25 17 24 15 25 26 20 22 22

Prepaid in network only

Total ...................................................... 21 24 14 25 13 24 24 19 20 21

Self insured ....................................... 2 2 1 ( ) 4 1 2 1 3 1 2

Insured .............................................. 19 22 13 21 12 22 23 16 19 19

Prepaid in and outside of network

Total ...................................................... 4 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4

Self insured ....................................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

Insured .............................................. 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 Includes exclusive provider organizations, which are groups of hospitals and

physicians that contract to provide comprehensive medical services. Participants

are required to obtain services from members of the organization in order to receive

plan benefits.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
Table 2. Medical care benefits: Coverage for selected services by type of plan, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005

Type of plan and service All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

All plans

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Hospital room and board ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Inpatient surgery ................................ 97 97 98 95 97 97 97 96 94 97

Outpatient surgery1 ........................... 97 97 98 95 97 97 98 96 94 98

Office physician visit .......................... 99 100 99 100 98 100 99 99 99 99

Extended care2 .................................. 77 75 79 76 77 76 75 78 72 77

Home health care2 ............................ 81 79 85 78 85 79 79 82 75 82

Inpatient hospice ............................... 72 71 75 67 79 69 69 75 65 74

Home hospice ................................... 13 12 16 9 17 12 11 15 15 13

Inpatient mental ................................. 93 93 94 92 93 93 90 96 93 93

Outpatient mental ............................. 90 89 91 93 89 91 87 93 92 90

Inpatient alcohol detoxification3 ......... 97 97 97 98 97 97 96 97 98 97

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ......... 84 83 84 89 83 84 80 87 87 83

Outpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ...... 84 83 84 87 81 84 80 86 87 83

Inpatient drug detoxification3 ............. 97 97 97 98 97 97 96 97 98 97

Inpatient drug rehabilitation3 ............. 84 83 84 89 83 84 80 87 86 83

Outpatient drug rehabilitation4 ........... 83 83 84 86 81 84 80 86 86 83

Hearing care5 .................................... 25 28 21 20 21 27 28 23 29 24

Adult physical exams ......................... 76 79 70 79 72 77 73 78 66 77

Well baby care ................................... 76 77 73 79 75 76 72 80 68 77

Adult immunization and inoculation ... 55 56 53 56 52 56 54 56 55 55

Indemnity plans

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Hospital room and board ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Inpatient surgery ................................ 96 96 98 93 97 96 97 96 92 97

Outpatient surgery1 ........................... 97 96 98 94 97 96 98 96 92 97

Office physician visit .......................... 99 99 99 100 98 100 99 99 99 99

Extended care2 .................................. 79 78 80 79 78 79 78 79 72 80

Home health care2 ............................ 81 78 84 81 83 79 78 83 75 82

Inpatient hospice ............................... 77 77 80 66 81 74 75 78 68 78

Home hospice ................................... 16 16 18 10 19 14 14 17 18 16

Inpatient mental ................................. 93 93 94 93 93 94 90 96 92 94

Outpatient mental ............................. 90 88 91 95 90 90 86 93 93 89

Inpatient alcohol detoxification3 ......... 97 97 96 98 96 97 96 97 97 97

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ......... 87 85 87 92 86 87 83 89 91 86

Outpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ...... 86 85 86 89 84 86 82 88 90 85

Inpatient drug detoxification3 ............. 97 97 96 98 96 97 96 97 97 97

Inpatient drug rehabilitation3 ............. 87 85 87 92 86 87 83 89 91 86

Outpatient drug rehabilitation4 ........... 85 85 86 87 84 86 82 88 88 85

Hearing care5 .................................... 16 18 14 12 15 16 15 17 22 15

Adult physical exams ......................... 73 75 67 78 70 74 68 76 61 75

Well baby care ................................... 74 75 71 77 75 74 67 79 64 76

Adult immunization and inoculation ... 51 52 49 51 48 52 49 52 48 51

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2. Medical care benefits: Coverage for selected services by type of plan, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005 — Continued

Type of plan and service All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Prepaid plans

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Hospital room and board ................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Inpatient surgery ................................ 98 97 97 100 95 98 97 98 99 97

Outpatient surgery1 ........................... 98 98 97 99 95 99 99 98 100 98

Office physician visit .......................... 100 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100

Extended care2 .................................. 70 69 75 69 75 69 67 73 71 70

Home health care2 ............................ 82 83 89 70 92 80 84 81 75 84

Inpatient hospice ............................... 58 58 54 68 67 56 54 63 52 59

Inpatient mental ................................. 93 92 95 91 92 93 89 96 93 93

Outpatient mental ............................. 91 91 91 90 88 92 92 91 87 92

Inpatient alcohol detoxification3 ......... 97 97 98 99 98 97 96 99 100 97

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ......... 76 76 70 82 66 78 73 78 72 76

Outpatient alcohol rehabilitation4 ...... 77 77 76 82 69 79 77 78 78 77

Inpatient drug detoxification3 ............. 97 97 98 99 98 97 96 99 100 97

Inpatient drug rehabilitation3 ............. 75 76 69 82 64 78 73 77 71 76

Outpatient drug rehabilitation4 ........... 78 77 76 82 69 79 77 78 78 77

Hearing care5 .................................... 52 53 56 42 50 53 63 42 52 52

Adult physical exams ......................... 85 87 84 80 80 87 89 82 84 86

Well baby care ................................... 82 82 82 81 77 83 84 80 82 82

Adult immunization and inoculation ... 67 65 73 68 71 67 67 67 78 66

1 Charges incurred in the outpatient department of a hospital and outside the

hospital. 2 Some plans provide this care only to a patient who was previously

hospitalized and is recovering without need of the extensive care provided by a

general hospital. 3 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse.

4 Rehabilitation is designed to alter abusive behavior in patients once they are

free of acute physical and mental complications. 5 Plans provide, at a minimum, coverage for hearing examination expenses.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
1

Table 3. Medical care benefits: Copayment provisions for hospital room and board by plan type, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Plan type and copayment provision All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity

Total1 ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Per confinement .............................. 88 90 80 97 74 93 85 89 91 87

Less than $100 ......................... 1 1 2 - 2 ( ) 2 2 1 4 1

$100 ......................................... 20 22 16 21 12 23 13 23 22 19

$101–$199 ............................... 6 10 2 3 7 6 11 4 4 7

$200 ......................................... 12 15 6 17 4 15 7 15 9 13

$201–$249 ............................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - 2 ( ) - - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

$250 ......................................... 22 23 20 25 23 22 19 24 19 23

$251–$499 ............................... 13 8 18 17 10 13 13 12 12 13

$500 ......................................... 11 8 13 14 12 10 12 10 20 9

Greater than $500 .................... 2 2 4 1 6 1 7 2 ( ) 1 3

Unspecified amount .................. 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Limited to maximum dollar

copayment amount per year3 ........ 6 8 4 2 6 6 5 6 11 5

Copayment per year ....................... 7 4 14 1 18 3 2 10 2 8

Copayment per day ........................ 8 8 12 2 13 6 15 5 18 7

Copayment limited to a specified

number of days ............................. 7 6 12 1 13 5 14 4 18 5

Prepaid

Total1 ..................................................... 100 100 100 - 100 100 100 100 - 100

Per confinement .............................. 84 85 84 - 70 87 93 76 - 84

Less than $100 ......................... 1 2 2 ( ) - - 1 - 2 - 1

$100 ......................................... 15 18 10 - 8 17 16 15 - 16

$101–$199 ............................... 6 4 5 - 5 6 4 8 - 4

$200 ......................................... 2 1 4 - 4 1 1 3 - 2

$201–$249 ............................... 3 4 1 - 2 3 2 3 - 3

$250 ......................................... 31 32 31 - 22 33 37 25 - 31

$251–$499 ............................... 9 9 11 - 14 8 9 8 - 8

$500 ......................................... 13 13 15 - 4 14 15 10 - 13

Greater than $500 .................... 3 2 8 - 12 2 5 1 - 4

Unspecified amount .................. 2 2 ( ) - - 2 ( ) 3 4 2 ( ) - 2

Limited to maximum dollar

copayment amount per year3 ........ 12 12 12 - 3 14 9 15 - 12

Copayment per year ....................... 1 1 2 ( ) - 1 1 2 ( ) 2 - 1

Copayment per day ........................ 15 14 16 - 29 13 8 23 - 16

Copayment limited to a specified

number of days ............................. 8 10 3 - 8 8 4 12 - 9

1 Sum of individual items is greater than the total because some participants

were in plans with more than one type of copayment. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Limits placed on the maximum copayment an individual pays during the year. 

For example, an individual is subject to a copayment of $100 per confinement with a

limit of $300 per year.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
Table 4. Medical care benefits: Relationship between alcohol and drug abuse treatment provisions in indemnity and prepaid plans, all private

industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total1 ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered together2 ................................. 75 75 74 81 72 76 73 77 72 76

Covered separately but with the same

limits3 ................................................... 3 3 4 3 2 4 3 4 7 2

Other4 .................................................... 18 20 17 13 22 17 18 18 17 18

Alcohol and drug abuse treatment not

covered ................................................ 1 1 1 1 5 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1

Not determinable ................................... 3 2 4 2 4 2 5 1 3 3

1 Includes workers in all medical plans. 2 These are plans in which all limits that apply to alcohol abuse treatment also

apply to drug abuse treatment. When care is received for one of these types of

treatment, it reduces the availability of care from the other. For example, if alcohol

and drug abuse treatments are limited to 30 days per year and 20 days are used for

alcohol abuse treatment, then there are 10 days left for drug abuse treatment. 3 These are plans in which alcohol and drug abuse treatments are subject to

separate, but identical, limits. For example, alcohol abuse treatment is limited to 30

days per year and drug abuse treatment is limited to a separate 30 days per year. 4 Includes plans in which alcohol abuse treatment coverage differs from drug

abuse treatment coverage. 5 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
1

Table 5. Indemnity plans: Coverage for selected sevices, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Category of care and extent of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Hospital room and board

Total ................................................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .............................................. 9 8 9 9 9 9 7 10 13 8

Subject to internal limits only1 ...................... 6 6 6 9 6 6 5 7 8 6

Subject to internal and overall limits ............ 17 16 17 24 16 18 15 19 22 17

Subject to overall limits only2 ....................... 68 70 67 59 70 67 73 64 57 70

Internal limits

Dollar deductible .......................................... 19 19 18 26 17 20 15 23 17 20

Dollar limits .................................................. 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 3 ( ) 1 1 3 ( ) 2 3 ( )

Separate coinsurance .................................. 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 3 1

Other limit .................................................... 1 1 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 2 3 ( ) 1 1

Limits not determinable ................................ 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) 3 - 1 - 1 2 3 ( )

Inpatient surgery

Total ................................................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .............................................. 14 13 13 18 13 14 11 16 26 12

Subject to internal limits only1 ...................... 3 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 1 3

Subject to internal and overall limits ............ 5 2 8 8 8 3 4 6 4 5

Subject to overall limits only2 ....................... 79 81 77 69 77 79 84 75 69 80

Internal limits

Dollar limits .................................................. 2 3 ( ) 5 3 ( ) 5 3 ( ) - 3 1 2

Separate coinsurance .................................. 1 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 3 1

Other limit .................................................... 4 4 3 9 3 5 5 4 1 5

Limits not determinable ................................ 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( )

Outpatient surgery4

Total ................................................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .............................................. 12 12 10 17 13 12 8 15 19 11

Subject to internal limits only1 ...................... 5 5 4 8 3 6 4 6 3 5

Subject to internal and overall limits ............ 9 6 13 8 12 7 6 10 10 8

Subject to overall limits only2 ....................... 74 77 73 67 72 75 81 69 68 75

Internal limits

Dollar limits .................................................. 1 3 ( ) 3 3 ( ) 3 3 ( ) - 2 1 1

Separate coinsurance .................................. 2 1 4 3 3 2 2 3 6 2

Deductible per surgery ................................. 7 6 8 7 6 8 5 8 6 7

Other limit .................................................... 4 4 3 6 3 4 5 3 1 4

Limits not determinable ................................ 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( )

Office physician visits

Total ................................................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .............................................. 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 2 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ...................... 53 55 48 63 47 56 60 48 45 55

Subject to internal limits plus overall limits .. 26 25 27 25 30 24 23 28 18 27

Subject to overall limits only2 ....................... 20 19 24 9 22 18 16 22 35 17

1 Internal limits apply to individual categories of care; for example, internal

limits or benefits for hospitalization. Limits may be set in terms of dollar or day

ceilings on benefits, a requirement that the participant pay a percentage of costs

(coinsurance), or a requirement that the participant pay a specific amount

(deductible or copayment) before reimbursement begins or services are rendered. 2 Overall limits apply to all benefits under the plan, not selected individual

benefits. Overall limits are (1) deductibles and coinsurance percentages that must

be paid by the participant before any plan benefits begin, and (2) overall limits on

plan benefits that can be paid. 3 Less than 0.5 percent. 4 Charges incurred in the outpatient department of a hospital and outside the

hospital.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. 

Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not

meet publication criteria.
Table 6. Indemnity plans in and outside of network: Summary of selected features, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

In-network incentives All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Service subject to in-network incentive

Hospital room and board ................ 96 95 96 98 95 96 96 96 96 96

Surgery ........................................... 95 95 95 99 96 95 94 96 96 95

Office visit ....................................... 93 94 92 92 92 93 92 94 86 94

Outpatient prescription drugs .......... 25 28 21 19 15 29 20 28 29 24

Not determinable ............................ 2 2 2 1 ( ) 3 1 2 1 2 2

Type of in-network incentive

Coinsurance rate differs2 ................ 92 93 90 93 91 92 92 91 82 93

Lower annual deductible3 ............... 47 50 44 48 45 49 42 51 38 49

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 The coinsurance rate is higher if services are received from an approved

provider. For example, in-network physician office visits had a 90-percent

coinsurance payment, while out-of-network visits had an 80-percent payment. 3 The deductible is lower if services are received from an approved provider. 

For example, the individual in-network annual deductible requirement is $100, while

the out-of-network requirement is $500.

NOTE: Sum of individual items is greater than total because some participants were

in plans with more than one type of limit. Where applicable, dash indicates no

employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
1

Table 7. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Average dollar limits, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics

Annual deductible1 Annual out-of-pocket

expense maximum2 Lifetime

maximum3

Individual Family Individual Family

All workers ............................................. $460 $1,128 $1,898 $3,892 $2,061,872

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 494 1,205 1,932 3,887 2,239,838

Blue collar .............................................. 424 1,045 1,796 3,759 1,961,799

Service .................................................. 411 1,015 2,100 4,519 1,563,479

Full time ................................................. 464 1,132 1,901 3,894 2,103,430

Part time ................................................ 371 1,047 1,843 3,864 1,347,793

Union ..................................................... 334 658 1,571 3,170 1,411,448

Nonunion ............................................... 482 1,208 1,952 3,988 2,181,617

Average wage less than $15 per hour ... 485 1,204 1,944 3,943 1,957,653

Average wage $15 per hour or higher ... 438 1,067 1,860 3,851 2,148,431

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 420 1,027 1,779 3,643 2,026,540

Service producing .................................. 479 1,182 1,957 4,022 2,080,975

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 549 1,400 2,069 4,186 2,687,703

100 workers or more ............................. 387 915 1,762 3,653 1,610,312

Geographic areas4

Metropolitan areas ................................. 463 1,111 1,877 3,865 2,107,583

Nonmetropolitan areas .......................... 446 1,190 1,984 3,998 1,892,734

New England ......................................... 463 1,118 2,219 4,733 1,657,165

Middle Atlantic ....................................... 411 1,022 1,773 3,606 1,902,548

East North Central ................................. 382 930 1,541 3,237 2,208,982

West North Central ................................ 439 1,134 1,767 3,304 1,857,106

South Atlantic ........................................ 492 1,169 1,993 3,807 1,932,361

East South Central ................................ 423 1,189 2,026 4,665 1,947,796

West South Central ............................... 552 1,395 1,907 4,034 2,293,383

Mountain ................................................ 647 1,494 2,309 5,530 2,152,061

Pacific .................................................... 388 956 2,027 4,168 2,227,387

1 The deductible is the amount of covered expenses that

an individual or family must pay before any charges are paid

by the medical care plan. Deductibles that apply separately

to a specific category of expense, such as a deductible for

each hospital admission, were excluded from this tabulation. 2 The out-of-pocket expense maximum is the amount an

individual or a family must pay before the plan will pay 100

percent of additional charges. Deductible amounts were

excluded from computation of the out-of-pocket dollar limits.

Usually, out-of-pocket limits were specified on an annual

basis. Charges for certain services, such as mental health

care, may not be counted toward the out-of-pocket

maximum. 3 The maximum is the total amount of expenses that the

plan will pay. Maximum described is for each insured

person. Where the maximum differed for employees and

dependents, the employee maximum was tabulated.

4 The nine census divisions are defined as follows: New

England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Atlantic:

New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; East North

Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin;

West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,

Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; South Atlantic:

Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,

North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia;

East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and

Tennessee; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana,

Oklahoma, and Texas; Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,

Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; and

Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in

this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
Table 8. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Amount of individual deductible,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005

Fee arrangement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Deductible specified ........................... 77 75 79 76 80 75 80 74 79 76

Flat dollar amounts2 ........................ 76 74 79 75 78 75 79 74 78 76

$100 ............................................. 6 4 8 8 6 6 4 7 13 5

$150 ............................................. 4 3 5 7 4 4 2 5 14 2

$200 ............................................. 7 7 9 4 9 6 7 8 7 7

$250 ............................................. 12 12 11 15 14 11 13 11 10 13

$300 ............................................. 10 10 11 7 12 10 4 15 8 11

$400 ............................................. 3 3 3 5 3 3 4 3 4 3

$500 ............................................. 16 16 17 14 15 16 22 11 8 17

$1000 ........................................... 9 9 9 9 9 9 12 6 7 9

Other ............................................... 1 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 1 1 3 ( ) 1

No deductible ..................................... 23 24 20 24 20 24 20 25 21 23

Not determinable ................................ 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( )

Average annual deductible individual .... $460 $494 $424 $411 $420 $479 $549 $387 $334 $482

Average annual deductible family ......... $1,128 $1,205 $1,045 $1,015 $1,027 $1,182 $1,400 $915 $658 $1,208

Traditional Indemnity

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Deductible specified ........................... 91 90 92 85 90 92 91 91 97 88

Flat dollar amounts2 ........................ 91 90 92 85 90 92 91 91 97 88

$100 ............................................. 27 14 42 4 27 26 21 31 38 21

$150 ............................................. 4 2 7 1 2 5 7 2 10 1

$200 ............................................. 6 9 4 2 7 6 8 5 1 9

$250 ............................................. 15 13 15 21 17 13 22 9 8 18

$300 ............................................. 2 4 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 2 1 3 3 ( ) 3

$400 ............................................. 6 3 9 1 8 4 10 2 12 3

$500 ............................................. 10 15 5 19 6 13 15 7 2 15

$1000 ........................................... 9 13 2 32 5 11 2 15 10 9

Other ............................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 1 - 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( )

No deductible ..................................... 8 10 6 14 9 8 9 8 1 12

Not determinable ................................ 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 2 3 ( )

Average annual deductible individual .... $377 $460 $263 $648 $367 $384 $302 $437 $329 $404

Average annual deductible family ......... $774 $930 $626 $945 $882 $703 $693 $835 $568 $894

See footnotes at end of table.
16

Table 8. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Amount of individual deductible,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005 — Continued

Fee arrangement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity in and outside of network

without primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Deductible specified ........................... 79 78 82 80 79 79 80 79 80 79

Flat dollar amounts2 ........................ 78 76 81 80 78 79 79 78 80 78

$100 ............................................. 4 3 4 10 4 5 3 5 8 4

$150 ............................................. 4 2 5 9 5 3 1 6 19 1

$200 ............................................. 7 8 7 5 8 7 6 8 9 7

$250 ............................................. 13 14 10 16 13 13 14 12 10 13

$300 ............................................. 12 11 15 8 15 11 5 17 11 12

$400 ............................................. 3 3 2 6 2 3 4 2 3 ( ) 3

$500 ............................................. 15 13 20 12 16 15 19 12 10 16

$750 ............................................. 2 2 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 ( ) 2

$1000 ........................................... 10 10 10 7 8 10 14 7 8 10

$1500 ........................................... 2 3 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 2 3 3 ( ) - 2

Other ............................................... 1 1 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 2 1 1 1 3 ( ) 1

No deductible ..................................... 20 21 18 20 20 20 19 21 19 20

Not determinable ................................ 1 1 3 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Average annual deductible individual .... $480 $517 $458 $376 $433 $502 $590 $394 $334 $503

Average annual deductible family ......... $1,208 $1,292 $1,137 $982 $1,063 $1,282 $1,548 $951 $684 $1,285

Indemnity in and outside of network

with primary care physician4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Deductible specified ........................... 63 61 71 50 76 57 76 55 52 65

Flat dollar amounts2 ........................ 63 60 71 50 76 57 76 55 52 65

$100 ............................................. 2 3 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 - 3 3 2

$150 ............................................. 5 7 2 3 4 5 3 6 5 5

$200 ............................................. 8 4 16 4 12 6 5 10 5 9

$250 ............................................. 10 5 18 10 21 5 10 10 11 10

$300 ............................................. 7 6 9 5 8 6 5 8 7 7

$400 ............................................. 2 2 2 2 5 1 1 3 8 1

$500 ............................................. 21 27 12 26 15 24 37 10 9 23

$1000 ........................................... 5 3 9 3 ( ) 11 2 10 1 2 5

Other ............................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) - 3 ( )

No deductible ..................................... 37 39 29 50 24 43 24 45 48 35

Average annual deductible individual .... $426 $437 $415 $408 $410 $436 $527 $331 $388 $430

Average annual deductible family ......... $1,027 $1,041 $1,022 $966 $962 $1,068 $1,244 $843 $792 $1,050

1 The deductible is the amount of covered expenses that an individual or a

family must pay before any charges are paid by the medical care plan. Deductibles

that apply separately to a specific category of expense, such as a deductible for

each hospital admission, were excluded from this tabulation. 2 Includes other amounts not shown separately. 3 Less than 0.5 percent. 4 A provision in medical care plans that designates certain physicians and

hospitals as network providers. Services sought from health care providers who do

not belong to the network are reimbursed at a lower rate than that applicable to

network providers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
17

Table 9. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Individual deductible1 difference between in-network and outside of network coverage, all private

industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Comparison of deductibles in

and outside of network

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity in and outside of network

without primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Difference in deductible amounts

between in and outside of network ...... 47 49 43 45 45 48 42 51 35 49

Less than $200 .................................. 3 3 4 3 3 3 1 5 7 3

$200–$399 ......................................... 20 22 18 20 19 21 17 23 16 21

$400–$599 ......................................... 13 12 15 12 15 12 8 17 12 13

$600–$999 ......................................... 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 2

$1,000–$1,399 ................................... 5 6 5 1 5 5 7 3 2 ( ) 6

$1,400–$1,999 ................................... 2 3 2 ( ) 1 - 2 3 2 ( ) - 2

$2,000 and greater ............................. 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 ( ) 2

Amount not determinable ................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Overall deductible does not differ

between in and outside of network ...... 53 50 57 55 55 52 58 49 64 51

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Average difference between in and

outside of network ................................ $538 $563 $487 $551 $463 $570 $718 $425 $333 $561

Indemnity in and outside of network

with primary care physician3

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 - 100 100 100 100 100 100

Difference in deductible amounts

between in and outside of network ...... 54 56 50 - 49 57 49 58 56 54

Less than $200 .................................. 3 4 1 - 2 ( ) 4 3 3 2 ( ) 4

$200–$399 ......................................... 30 27 31 - 29 30 18 38 43 28

$400–$999 ......................................... 13 17 8 - 10 14 14 13 11 13

$1,000 and greater ............................. 8 8 10 - 8 8 14 4 1 9

Amount not determinable ................... 2 ( ) - 1 - 1 - 1 - - 2 ( )

Overall deductible does not differ

between in and outside of network ...... 46 44 50 - 51 43 51 42 44 46

Average difference between in and

outside of network ................................ $473 $510 $459 - $439 $488 $618 $390 $323 $496

1 The deductible is the amount of covered expenses that an individual or a

family must pay before any charges are paid by the medical care plan. Deductibles

that apply separately to a specific category of expense, such as a deductible for

each hospital admission, were excluded from this tabulation. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 A provision in medical care plans that designates certain physicians and

hospitals as network providers. Services sought from healthcare providers who do

not belong to the network are reimbursed at a lower rate than that applicable to

network providers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
18

Table 10. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Relationship between individual and family deductible, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Relationship between individual and

family deductibles

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Individual and family deductible

specified ............................................... 70 69 73 60 74 68 74 66 66 70

Family deductible is multiple of

individual deductible ......................... 65 64 70 55 72 62 67 64 65 65

Average multiple ............................. 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.5

Specified number of individual

deductibles must be met to satisfy

family deductible ............................... 4 5 3 5 2 5 7 2 1 5

Average number of individual

deductibles .................................... 2.5 2.4 2.8 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.5

No deductible or no family deductible ... 30 30 26 40 26 32 26 33 34 29

Not determinable ................................... 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( )

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
1

Table 11. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coinsurance rates, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Coinsurance amount All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With coinsurance1 ................................. 82 81 85 77 85 81 86 80 81 82

80 percent .......................................... 47 44 51 45 51 44 50 44 52 46

85 percent .......................................... 3 3 4 6 3 4 3 4 8 3

90 percent .......................................... 23 24 22 20 24 22 20 25 18 24

Other percentage ............................... 7 8 6 6 6 8 12 4 3 8

Percentage not determinable ............. 2 2 1 2 ( ) 1 2 2 ( ) 3 1 2

Other .................................................. 1 1 2 ( ) 1 - 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1

Without coinsurance3 ............................ 17 19 14 20 14 19 14 20 16 18

Not determinable ................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 4 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 3 2 ( )

Traditional Indemnity

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 - 100 100 100 100 100 100

With coinsurance1 ................................. 98 97 100 - 100 96 100 96 99 97

70 percent .......................................... 4 8 1 - 1 6 6 3 2 6

75 percent .......................................... 11 10 12 - 23 3 10 12 8 12

80 percent .......................................... 68 61 77 - 64 70 67 69 86 59

85 percent .......................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) 1 1 - 1 2 ( )

90 percent .......................................... 7 8 5 - 6 8 6 9 2 10

Other percentage ............................... 6 9 4 - 5 7 10 3 1 9

Other .................................................. 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1

Without coinsurance3 ............................ 2 3 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 4 - 4 1 3

Not determinable ................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Indemnity in and outside of network

without primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With coinsurance1 ................................. 83 82 87 79 84 83 84 82 81 84

80 percent .......................................... 48 47 51 45 51 47 50 47 47 48

85 percent .......................................... 4 3 5 7 2 5 4 5 10 3

90 percent .......................................... 25 24 27 21 28 23 22 27 24 25

Other percentage ............................... 4 5 4 6 2 6 7 2 2 ( ) 5

Percentage not determinable ............. 1 2 2 ( ) - - 1 2 ( ) 1 - 1

Other .................................................. 1 1 2 ( ) 1 - 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1

Without coinsurance3 ............................ 16 18 13 16 16 16 15 17 14 16

Not determinable ................................... 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 5 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 4 2 ( )

See footnotes at end of table.
20

Table 11. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coinsurance rates, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 —

Continued

Coinsurance amount All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity in and outside of network

with primary care physician4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 - 100 100 100 100 - 100

With coinsurance1 ................................. 67 63 75 - 81 60 72 63 - 68

80 percent .......................................... 34 27 44 - 49 27 45 26 - 35

85 percent .......................................... 2 2 3 - 6 1 - 4 - 1

90 percent .......................................... 19 25 10 - 14 22 17 20 - 20

Other percentage ............................... 6 3 10 - 6 6 10 3 - 6

Percentage not determinable ............. 6 6 7 - 8 5 - 10 - 6

Other .................................................. 2 ( ) - 1 - - 2 ( ) 1 - - 2 ( )

Without coinsurance3 ............................ 33 37 25 - 19 40 28 37 - 32

1 Represents the initial coinsurance in plans that have 100-percent coverage

after the individual pays a specified dollar amount toward expenses. For example,

the plan pays 80 percent until the individual’s out-of-pocket expenses reach $1,000,

and then coverage is at 100 percent. A few plans have more than one coinsurance

rate. In those cases, the coinsurance rate shown is that which applies to the

majority of benefits under the plan. Includes variable coinsurance rates not shown

separately. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Includes plans with overall benefit limitations, such as maximum dollar

amounts and deductibles, in which the coinsurance rate is 100 percent. 4 A provision in medical care plans that designates certain physicians and

hospitals as network providers. Services sought from healthcare providers who do

not belong to the network are reimbursed at a lower rate than that applicable to

network providers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
2

Table 12. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Coinsurance rate difference between in-network and outside-of-network coverage, all private

industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Coinsurance rate comparison All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity in and outside of network

without primary care physician

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Difference in coinsurance rates

between in and outside of network1 ..... 93 94 90 92 92 93 94 92 82 94

Less than 10 percent ......................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( )

10 percent .......................................... 12 13 12 9 16 10 13 12 11 13

15 percent .......................................... 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 2

20 percent .......................................... 56 55 61 51 58 55 58 55 51 57

25 percent .......................................... 2 3 1 5 2 ( ) 3 3 2 2 ( ) 3

30 percent .......................................... 12 13 12 10 12 13 12 13 10 13

35 percent .......................................... 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 7 - 1 - 2 4 1

40 percent .......................................... 3 3 1 9 1 3 2 3 1 3

Greater than 40 percent ..................... 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 1

Difference not determinable ............... 2 4 2 ( ) - - 4 4 1 - 3

Overall coinsurance rates do not differ

between in and outside of network ...... 7 6 9 3 7 6 6 7 14 6

Not determinable ................................... 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 5 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 4 2 ( )

Average percent difference between in

and out of network ............................... 21.0 20.9 20.4 23.5 20.1 21.5 20.4 21.5 21.0 21.0

Indemnity in and outside of network

with primary care physician3

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Difference in coinsurance rates

between in and outside of network1 ..... 94 94 94 99 95 94 92 96 97 94

Less than 10 percent ......................... 1 - 3 3 4 - - 2 10 2 ( )

10 percent .......................................... 12 11 16 5 12 13 23 5 6 13

15 percent .......................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) - 1 - 2 ( )

20 percent .......................................... 50 51 43 73 52 49 43 55 48 50

25 percent .......................................... 1 2 2 ( ) 1 - 2 2 ( ) 2 2 1

30 percent .......................................... 18 17 20 12 16 19 20 16 27 16

40 percent .......................................... 2 3 1 1 1 3 1 3 2 ( ) 2

Greater than 40 percent ..................... 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 - 3

Difference not determinable ............... 7 6 9 4 8 6 2 10 5 7

Overall coinsurance rates do not differ

between in and outside of network ...... 6 6 6 1 5 6 8 4 3 6

Average percent difference between in

and outside of network ......................... 21.7 22.6 20.7 21.1 20.6 22.3 20.5 22.7 20.7 21.9

1 The coinsurance rate is higher if services are received from an approved

provider. For example, in-network physician office visits had a 90-percent

coinsurance payment, while out-of-network visits had an 80-percent payment. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 A provision in medical care plans that designates certain physicians and

hospitals as network providers. Services sought from healthcare providers who do

not belong to the network are reimbursed at a lower rate than that applicable to

network providers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
22

Table 13. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With limit on out-of-pocket expense ...... 83 82 85 79 86 81 84 82 78 83

With an annual dollar maximum on

out-of-pocket expense1 .................... 80 79 83 76 83 79 83 78 76 81

Per individual:

Less than $500 ............................ 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 3

$500 ............................................. 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2 3 3

$501–$999 ................................... 7 6 8 8 10 5 3 9 9 6

$1,000 .......................................... 14 14 15 11 14 14 12 15 19 13

$1,001–$1,499 ............................. 5 5 6 5 7 5 6 5 5 5

$1,500 .......................................... 8 8 9 11 8 9 9 8 9 8

$1,501–$1,999 ............................. 8 7 10 5 10 7 7 9 15 7

$2,000 .......................................... 10 11 10 9 9 11 14 7 2 12

$2,001–$2,499 ............................. 4 5 3 4 4 5 5 4 4 4

$2,500 .......................................... 3 4 3 2 3 3 3 4 2 4

$2,501–$2,999 ............................. 2 2 4 1 4 2 1 3 2 3

$3,000 .......................................... 3 3 4 1 4 3 6 2 1 4

$3,001–$3,499 ............................. 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 ( ) 2

$3,500 .......................................... 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1 1

Greater than $3,500 .................... 6 6 4 13 4 7 8 5 3 7

Per family:

Less than $1000 .......................... 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2

$1,000 .......................................... 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 2

$1,001–$1,999 ............................. 6 6 8 3 10 5 5 8 8 6

$2,000 .......................................... 7 7 7 5 9 6 8 6 9 7

$2,001–$2,999 ............................. 6 5 8 7 9 5 5 7 4 7

$3,000 .......................................... 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8 5 8

$3,001–$3,999 ............................. 6 6 7 2 8 5 6 6 8 6

$4,000 .......................................... 7 7 6 7 6 7 8 6 4 7

$4,001–$4,999 ............................. 5 5 4 3 3 5 5 5 6 4

$5,000 .......................................... 3 3 2 1 3 2 2 3 2 ( ) 3

$5,001–$5,999 ............................. 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 3

$6,000 .......................................... 5 5 4 3 3 6 8 2 1 5

$6,001–$6,999 ............................. 1 2 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1

$7,000 .......................................... 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

$7,001–$7,999 ............................. 2 1 1 5 1 2 2 1 2 2

$8,000 .......................................... 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1

$8,001–$8,999 ............................. 1 1 1 2 1 1 - 1 2 ( ) 1

$9,000 .......................................... 1 1 2 2 ( ) 1 1 2 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1

Greater than $9,000 .................... 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 2 ( ) 2

No family maximum ..................... 10 8 12 14 11 10 10 10 18 9

Family maximum cannot be

computed3 .................................. 4 4 4 9 2 5 4 5 6 4

Annual maximum on out-of-pocket

expense based on earnings .......... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

Annual maximum on out-of-pocket

expense varies by coinsurance

rate4 ............................................... 1 1 2 ( ) 2 2 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1

Other ............................................... 1 1 1 2 ( ) 2 2 ( ) 1 1 2 ( ) 1

No out-of-pocket expense required5 ..... 11 13 9 10 9 12 10 11 8 11

See footnotes at end of table.
2

Table 13. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

No limit on out-of-pocket expenses ....... 3 3 5 1 3 4 3 4 8 3

Not determinable ................................... 4 4 1 10 2 5 4 3 6 3

Average annual dollar maximum on

individual out-of-pocket expenses ....... $1,898 $1,932 $1,796 $2,100 $1,779 $1,957 $2,069 $1,762 $1,571 $1,952

Average annual dollar maximum on

family out-of-pocket expenses ............. $3,892 $3,887 $3,759 $4,519 $3,643 $4,022 $4,186 $3,653 $3,170 $3,988

1 Deductible amounts were excluded from computation of the out-of-pocket

dollar limits. With rare exceptions, an out-of-pocket limit was specified on an annual

basis. Few workers were in plans in which the expense limit applied to a disability or

to a period other than a year. Charges for certain services, such as mental health

care, may not be counted toward the out-of-pocket maximum. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 These are plans in which a family maximum is stated in such a way that it

cannot be computed. For example, the individual out-of-pocket expense is limited to

$1,000 per year, and the family out-of-pocket expense is limited to three

individuals. The family out-of-pocket expense cannot be computed because each of

the three individuals must separately reach an out-of-pocket limit of $1,000. Thus, if

two individuals each reach $1,000 in their out-of-pocket expenses, and two other

family members reach $900 and $800, respectively, in out-of-pocket expenses, the

family out-of-pocket limit would not have been met. 4 Some plans reimburse medical expenses at more than one coinsurance rate.

These plans impose a limit on out-of-pocket expenses by specifying a maximum on

covered medical expenses beyond which all expenses are paid at 100 percent. 5 All covered expenses are paid at 100 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
24

Table 14. Traditional indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar

Goods

producing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With limit on out-of-pocket expense ...... 82 92 70 87 79 89 76 70 88

With an annual dollar maximum on

out-of-pocket expense1 .................... 79 87 70 87 75 88 72 63 87

Per individual:

Less than $500 ............................ 6 8 5 6 6 7 6 1 9

$500 ............................................. 2 2 2 3 1 3 1 2 ( ) 3

$501–$999 ................................... 6 3 11 16 2 ( ) 3 9 9 5

$1,000 .......................................... 12 16 4 6 15 6 16 11 12

$1,001–$1,499 ............................. 3 2 5 2 ( ) 6 6 1 4 3

$1,500 .......................................... 9 11 7 2 ( ) 15 11 8 11 8

$1,501–$1,999 ............................. 15 11 17 24 9 16 13 22 11

$2,000 .......................................... 8 9 7 12 6 10 6 1 11

$2,001–$2,499 ............................. 2 3 2 - 4 4 1 2 3

$2,500–$3,000 ............................. 7 8 7 12 4 10 5 2 ( ) 10

Greater than $3,000 .................... 8 14 3 6 9 12 5 2 12

Per family:

Less than $1,000 ......................... 6 8 5 6 6 7 6 1 9

$1,000 .......................................... 1 1 2 ( ) - 1 - 1 2 ( ) 1

$1,001–$1,999 ............................. 6 3 10 16 2 ( ) 3 9 9 5

$2,000 .......................................... 5 8 2 6 5 3 7 1 7

$2,001–$2,999 ............................. 2 2 1 2 ( ) 3 3 1 2 ( ) 3

$3,000 .......................................... 5 7 2 2 ( ) 7 5 5 1 6

$3,001–$3,999 ............................. 11 7 16 18 7 11 11 18 8

$4,000 .......................................... 3 4 2 3 3 2 4 1 4

$4,001–$4,999 ............................. 7 6 9 1 11 10 4 11 5

$5,000 .......................................... 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( )

$5,001–$5,999 ............................. 2 4 2 ( ) - 4 2 2 1 3

$6,000 .......................................... 5 4 6 9 2 9 1 2 ( ) 7

Greater than $6,000 .................... 4 6 2 4 4 2 6 2 ( ) 6

No family maximum ..................... 17 17 13 19 16 20 15 19 16

Family maximum cannot be

computed3 .................................. 6 9 3 5 6 12 - - 8

Annual maximum on out-of-pocket

expense varies by coinsurance

rate4 ............................................... 2 4 - - 3 - 4 6 2 ( )

Other ............................................... 2 ( ) 1 - - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 1

See footnotes at end of table.
2

Table 14. Traditional indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar

Goods

producing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

No out-of-pocket expense required5 ..... 1 2 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 - 2 2 ( ) 2

No limit on out-of-pocket expenses ....... 16 4 29 13 18 11 20 30 9

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 1 - 1

Average annual dollar maximum on

individual out-of-pocket expenses ....... $1,765 $1,902 $1,625 $1,762 $1,767 $1,975 $1,558 $1,407 $1,894

Average annual dollar maximum on

family out-of-pocket expenses ............. $3,474 $3,591 $3,320 $3,199 $3,677 $3,643 $3,339 $3,170 $3,580

1 Deductible amounts were excluded from computation of the

out-of-pocket dollar limits. With rare exceptions, an out-of-pocket limit was

specified on an annual basis. Few workers were in plans in which the

expense limit applied to a disability or to a period other than a year. Charges

for certain services, such as mental health care, may not be counted toward

the out-of-pocket maximum. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 These are plans in which a family maximum is stated in such a way that

it cannot be computed. For example, the individual out-of-pocket expense is

limited to $1,000 per year, and the family out-of-pocket expense is limited to

three individuals. The family out-of-pocket expense cannot be computed

because each of the three individuals must separately reach an out-of-pocket

limit of $1,000. Thus, if two individuals each reach $1,000 in their

out-of-pocket expenses, and two other family members reach $900 and $800,

respectively, in out-of-pocket expenses, the family out-of-pocket limit would

not have been met. 4 Some plans reimburse medical expenses at more than one coinsurance

rate. These plans impose a limit on out-of-pocket expenses by specifying a

maximum on covered medical expenses beyond which all expenses are paid

at 100 percent. 5 All covered expenses are paid at 100 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. 

Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do

not meet publication criteria.
26

Table 15. Indemnity plans in and outside of network with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry

workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With limit on out-of-pocket expense ...... 84 82 88 79 86 83 84 83 81 84

With an annual dollar maximum on

out-of-pocket expense1 .................... 82 79 86 79 83 81 83 80 80 82

Per individual:

Less than $500 ............................ 2 2 2 4 3 2 2 2 2 2

$500 ............................................. 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 2

$501–$999 ................................... 7 6 7 8 8 6 3 9 9 6

$1,000 .......................................... 15 14 18 10 16 14 13 16 21 14

$1,001–$1,499 ............................. 6 5 6 6 8 5 6 5 6 6

$1,500 .......................................... 9 7 10 11 10 8 10 8 9 9

$1,501–$1,999 ............................. 7 6 9 4 7 7 5 9 13 6

$2,000 .......................................... 11 11 10 10 9 11 16 7 3 12

$2,001–$2,499 ............................. 5 5 3 4 4 5 5 4 5 4

$2,500 .......................................... 4 4 3 2 3 4 3 4 2 4

$2,501–$2,999 ............................. 3 2 5 1 5 2 1 4 2 3

$3,000 .......................................... 3 3 4 1 3 3 6 2 1 4

$3,001–$3,499 ............................. 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 ( ) 2

$3,500 .......................................... 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1

Greater than $3,500 .................... 7 7 4 14 3 8 9 5 4 7

Per family:

Less than $1,000 ......................... 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1

$1,000 .......................................... 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 2

$1,001–$1,999 ............................. 6 6 8 3 9 5 4 8 9 6

$2,000 .......................................... 8 8 8 6 10 7 9 7 10 7

$2,001–$2,999 ............................. 7 5 9 7 10 5 6 8 5 7

$3,000 .......................................... 8 8 10 8 8 9 8 9 7 9

$3,001–$3,999 ............................. 5 6 5 2 6 5 5 5 4 5

$4,000 .......................................... 7 7 6 7 6 8 9 5 4 7

$4,001–$4,999 ............................. 5 5 4 3 4 5 4 5 5 4

$5,000 .......................................... 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 3 1 3

$5,001–$5,999 ............................. 3 2 4 2 4 2 2 3 2 3

$6,000 .......................................... 5 6 4 3 2 6 8 3 1 6

Greater than $6,000 .................... 8 7 7 12 6 8 8 7 3 8

No family maximum ..................... 10 7 12 12 10 9 9 10 19 8

Family maximum cannot be

computed3 .................................. 4 3 5 10 2 6 3 5 8 4

Annual maximum on out-of-pocket

expense based on earnings .......... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

Annual maximum on out-of-pocket

expense varies by coinsurance

rate4 ............................................... 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1

Other ............................................... 1 1 2 - 3 1 1 2 2 ( ) 1

See footnotes at end of table.
27

Table 15. Indemnity plans in and outside of network with overall limits: Maximum out-of-pocket expense provisions, all private industry

workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Type and amount of out-of-pocket

expense provision

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

No out-of-pocket expense required5 ..... 11 12 9 10 10 11 10 12 10 11

No limit on out-of-pocket expenses ....... 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 2

Not determinable ................................... 4 4 2 11 2 5 5 4 8 4

Average annual dollar maximum on

individual out-of-pocket expenses ....... $1,917 $1,951 $1,802 $2,147 $1,763 $1,989 $2,088 $1,783 $1,617 $1,962

Average annual dollar maximum on

family out-of-pocket expenses ............. $3,941 $3,937 $3,786 $4,575 $3,663 $4,077 $4,250 $3,689 $3,196 $4,027

1 Deductible amounts were excluded from computation of the out-of-pocket

dollar limits. With rare exceptions, an out-of-pocket limit was specified on an annual

basis. Few workers were in plans in which the expense limit applied to a disability or

to a period other than a year. Charges for certain services, such as mental health

care, may not be counted toward the out-of-pocket maximum. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 These are plans in which a family maximum is stated in such a way that it

cannot be computed. For example, the individual out-of-pocket expense is limited to

$1,000 per year, and the family out-of-pocket expense is limited to three

individuals. The family out-of-pocket expense cannot be computed because each of

the three individuals must separately reach an out-of-pocket limit of $1,000. Thus, if

two individuals each reach $1,000 in their out-of-pocket expenses, and two other

family members reach $900 and $800, respectively, in out-of-pocket expenses, the

family out-of-pocket limit would not have been met. 4 Some plans reimburse medical expenses at more than one coinsurance rate.

These plans impose a limit on out-of-pocket expenses by specifying a maximum on

covered medical expenses beyond which all expenses are paid at 100 percent. 5 All covered expenses are paid at 100 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 16. Indemnity plans with overall limits: Maximum benefit provisions, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type and dollar amount of maximum All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With maximum limits ............................. 66 62 72 68 73 63 65 68 71 66

Lifetime maximum only1 ..................... 66 62 71 68 72 63 64 67 69 65

Less than $1,000,000 ..................... 3 1 6 7 4 3 3 4 17 1

$1,000,000 ...................................... 26 23 29 38 32 24 17 34 28 26

$2,000,000 ...................................... 21 21 22 16 21 21 21 21 16 21

$5,000,000 ...................................... 12 12 12 7 12 11 21 5 5 13

Greater than $5,000,000 ................. 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Other maximum ................................. 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 1 2 2 ( )

Unlimited maximum ............................... 27 30 24 26 23 29 28 26 25 27

Not determinable ................................... 7 8 4 5 4 8 7 6 3 7

Average lifetime maximum (in

thousands) ........................................... $2,062 $2,240 $1,962 $1,563 $2,027 $2,081 $2,688 $1,610 $1,411 $2,182

1 Includes other lifetime maximum limits not shown separately. 2 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
28

Table 17. Indemnity plans: Coverage for alternatives to hospital care, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Category of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Extended care

Total ................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 3 2 2 9 1 4 4 2 1 3

Subject to internal limits only1 ......... 14 15 12 14 14 14 13 15 20 13

Subject to internal and overall limits 62 61 66 60 64 62 63 62 54 64

Subject to overall limits only2 .......... 21 22 20 17 20 21 21 21 26 20

Internal limits

Limit on days ............................ 69 69 70 66 74 67 70 68 59 71

Separate coinsurance .............. 4 5 4 2 4 5 4 5 9 4

Limit to maximum percentage

rate of prior hospital

confinement ............................ 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1

Other limits ............................... 8 7 9 13 7 9 7 9 6 9

Limits not determinable ............ 1 1 1 4 3 ( ) 2 1 1 5 1

Home health care

Total ................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 8 7 8 12 6 9 7 8 14 7

Subject to internal limits only1 ......... 14 13 13 16 12 14 15 13 12 14

Subject to internal and overall limits 50 48 53 48 49 50 50 50 50 50

Subject to overall limits only2 .......... 29 32 26 24 33 27 28 29 25 29

Internal limits

Limit on days ............................ 51 52 50 48 49 51 55 48 41 52

Separate coinsurance .............. 5 5 4 6 4 5 3 6 12 4

Other limits ............................... 13 11 15 13 11 14 12 13 12 13

Limits not determinable ............ 1 1 3 ( ) 4 - 1 1 1 3 3 ( )

Hospice care

Total ................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 13 12 13 19 12 14 12 15 21 12

Subject to internal limits only1 ......... 11 10 11 20 11 12 11 12 13 11

Subject to internal and overall limits 26 26 29 14 32 23 26 26 21 27

Subject to overall limits only2 .......... 49 51 47 47 46 51 52 47 45 50

Internal limits

Limit on dollars ......................... 17 12 21 25 23 13 13 19 19 16

Separate coinsurance .............. 6 8 4 6 4 7 6 6 5 6

Other limits ............................... 20 20 21 14 22 18 20 19 15 20

Limits not determinable ............ 3 ( ) 1 - - - 3 ( ) 1 - - 3 ( )

1 Internal limits apply to individual categories of care; for example, internal limits

or benefits for hospitalization. Limits may be set in terms of dollar or day ceilings on

benefits, a requirement that the participant pay a percentage of costs (coinsurance),

or a requirement that the participant pay a specific amount (deductible or

copayment) before reimbursement begins or services are rendered. 2 Overall limits apply to all benefits under the plan, not selected individual

benefits. Overall limits are (1) deductibles and coinsurance percentages that must

be paid by the participant before any plan benefits begin, and (2) overall limits on

plan benefits that can be paid. 3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
29

Table 18. Prepaid plans: Coverage for selected services and alternatives to hospital care, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Category of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Hospital room and board ....................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 46 51 38 37 46 47 46 47 52 46

Subject to limits1 ............................. 54 49 62 63 54 53 54 53 48 54

Inpatient surgery .................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 71 76 65 55 71 71 71 71 68 71

Subject to limits1 ............................. 29 24 35 45 29 29 29 29 32 29

Outpatient surgery2 ............................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 49 54 41 36 47 49 44 53 38 50

Subject to limits1 ............................. 51 46 59 64 53 51 56 47 62 50

Office physician visits ............................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 2 1 3 1 3 1 1 2 6 1

Subject to limits1 ............................. 98 99 97 99 97 99 99 98 94 99

Total subject to copayment per

visit3 ........................................... 98 99 94 99 93 99 99 96 90 99

$5 per visit ............................. 6 6 6 7 6 6 7 5 13 5

$6–$9 per visit ....................... 4 ( ) 4 ( ) - 2 - 4 ( ) - 1 3 4 ( )

$10 per visit ........................... 28 27 31 25 34 26 23 32 36 26

$15 per visit ........................... 35 40 22 33 17 39 35 35 21 37

$20 per visit ........................... 21 18 26 25 27 19 22 19 12 22

Greater than $20 per visit ...... 6 6 8 1 7 5 10 1 1 6

Unspecified copayment ......... 2 1 1 7 2 2 2 2 4 2

Total subject to other limits only 1 4 ( ) 3 - 4 - 4 ( ) 1 5 4 ( )

Extended care5 ...................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 18 18 17 16 18 18 16 19 27 16

Subject to limits1 ............................. 82 82 83 84 82 82 84 81 73 84

Home health care5 ................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................. 70 74 67 50 68 70 75 64 63 71

Subject to limits1 ............................. 30 26 33 50 32 30 25 36 37 29

Hospice care ......................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 - 100

Covered in full ................................. 78 78 69 89 62 82 86 71 - 77

Subject to limits1 ............................. 22 22 31 11 38 18 14 29 - 23

1 Limits may be set in terms of dollar or day ceilings on benefits, a requirement

that the participant pay a percentage of costs (coinsurance), or a requirement that

the participant pay a specific amount (deductible or copayment) before

reimbursement begins or services are rendered. 2 Charges incurred in the outpatient department of a hospital and outside of the

hospital. 3 Includes other copayments not shown separately. 4 Less than 0.5 percent.

5 Some plans provide this care only to a patient who was previously

hospitalized and is recovering without need of the extensive care provided by a

general hospital.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
3

Table 19. Prepaid plans: Summary of selected features, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Selected feature All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Group/staff model1 ................................ 13 12 17 15 14 13 18 9 17 13

Individual practice association model2 .. 40 45 35 27 32 42 44 37 30 42

Mixed model3 ........................................ 24 23 26 28 28 24 24 25 23 25

Network model4 ..................................... 10 9 10 18 10 10 9 12 13 10

Not determinable .................................. 11 11 13 13 16 10 5 17 18 10

Federally qualified5 ................................ 38 38 42 36 37 39 44 34 40 38

1 Care is provided at centralized locations. 2 Care is provided by doctors working out of their offices. 3 Care is provided by more than one type of model. 4 Care is provided by multiple physician groups that may involve single- and

multispecialty groups. 5 A plan that satisfies specific requirements set forth in the Health Maintenance

Organization Act of 1973 and is eligible for grants and loans not available to

nonqualified plans.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
Table 20. Prepaid plans: Extent of coverage for extended care facilities, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ....................................... 18 18 17 16 18 18 16 19 27 16

Day limit ................................................. 76 75 73 81 72 77 78 74 70 77

Per year ............................................. 64 62 63 76 62 64 64 64 68 63

30 ................................................. 3 2 1 6 3 3 1 4 1 ( ) 3

45 ................................................. 3 3 3 7 6 3 2 4 2 3

60 ................................................. 13 12 17 15 20 11 10 16 13 13

90 ................................................. 4 3 4 8 4 4 1 6 10 2

100 ............................................... 28 27 26 36 20 30 35 22 34 27

120 ............................................... 9 12 5 3 7 10 9 9 5 10

Other ............................................ 4 3 7 1 3 4 6 2 2 4

Per confinement ................................. 7 7 9 3 10 6 5 8 1 8

Per lifetime ......................................... 3 5 - 1 ( ) - 4 7 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 4

Not determinable ................................ 5 7 2 2 - 6 9 1 1 ( ) 6

Other limits only ..................................... 6 6 9 3 8 5 6 6 2 7

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 1 - 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.

Table 21. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Summary of coverage, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Coverage for name-brand drugs ........... 100 100 100 99 99 100 100 99 100 100

Higher reimbursement for generic drugs 89 91 87 90 89 90 89 89 82 91

Coverage for mail order drugs ............... 77 76 77 75 79 76 72 80 84 75

Higher reimbursement for prescriptions

filled at selected pharmacies ............... 20 22 18 13 14 22 17 22 22 20

Higher reimbursement for formulary

drugs .................................................... 44 47 41 37 41 45 49 40 42 44

Not determinable ................................... 3 2 3 6 3 3 3 3 5 3

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category, or data do not meet publication criteria.
3

Table 22. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Name-brand drug provisions in indemnity plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Types of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full ................................... 1 1 1 1 ( ) 1 1 1 1 2 1

Subject to overall limits ...................... 20 20 21 14 17 21 17 22 23 19

Subject to copayment per

prescription ...................................... 65 66 66 60 67 64 62 67 58 67

Less than $15.00 ........................... 8 7 10 7 7 8 8 8 15 6

$15.00 ........................................... 8 8 9 8 12 7 5 11 6 9

$15.01–$19.99 .............................. 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 ( ) 2 1 ( ) 2

$20.00 ........................................... 22 23 20 26 23 22 19 25 19 23

$20.01–$24.99 .............................. 1 1 1 1 ( ) 2 1 2 1 ( ) 2 1

$25.00 ........................................... 10 10 10 11 10 11 11 10 4 12

$25.01–$29.99 .............................. 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

$30.00 ........................................... 9 10 9 6 8 10 11 8 6 10

$30.01–$34.99 .............................. 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

$35.00 ........................................... 2 3 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 ( ) 2

Greater than $35.00 ...................... 1 1 2 1 ( ) 2 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Unspecified copayment ................. 2 2 2 1 ( ) 1 2 1 2 4 1

Subject to a separate yearly

deductible ........................................ 8 8 10 3 8 9 7 9 6 9

Subject to a separate coinsurance

rate ................................................... 16 16 17 9 17 15 15 16 15 16

Subject to a separate yearly

maximum ......................................... 3 2 4 1 4 2 3 2 3 2

Difference in cost between generic

and name-brand drugs2 ................... 17 17 15 22 15 18 17 17 18 17

Other ................................................. 5 5 4 9 4 6 5 5 5 5

Not determinable ............................... 1 1 1 - 2 1 ( ) 2 1 ( ) 2 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 In these plans, the participant is required to use a generic equivalent when

available; if a generic equivalent is not chosen, the individual must pay the

difference in total cost between the name-brand and generic drug plus any required

copayment. For example, if an individual is subject to a $20 copayment for generic

drugs and the name-brand equivalent is purchased, the individual must pay the

difference in total cost between the name-brand and generic drug, plus the $20

copayment.

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do

not meet publication criteria.
Table 23. Outpatient prescription drug benefits: Name-brand drug provisions in prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Types of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to copayment per

prescription ...................................... 82 81 87 83 88 81 80 85 82 82

Less than $15.00 ........................... 8 7 10 9 13 7 5 10 20 6

$15.00 ........................................... 13 15 9 13 18 12 5 21 11 14

$15.01–$19.99 .............................. 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 1 1 ( )

$20.00 ........................................... 28 28 27 27 28 28 27 29 19 29

$20.01–$24.99 .............................. 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

$25.00 ........................................... 17 17 23 5 20 16 26 8 13 17

$30.00 ........................................... 10 8 7 19 6 10 9 10 2 11

$35.00 ........................................... 4 3 7 2 2 4 5 3 9 3

Greater than $35.00 ...................... 1 1 1 1 ( ) - 1 1 2 2 1

Unspecified copayment ................. 2 1 1 8 - 2 2 1 5 1

Subject to a separate yearly

deductible ........................................ 6 3 17 1 23 3 2 9 1 7

Subject to a separate coinsurance

rate ................................................... 4 5 4 1 3 4 3 5 5 4

Subject to a separate yearly

maximum ......................................... 2 2 1 ( ) 2 - 2 2 2 1 ( ) 2

Difference in cost between generic

and name-brand drugs2 ................... 12 14 8 11 5 14 16 9 12 13

Other ................................................. 2 1 2 6 - 2 4 1 ( ) 1 2

Not determinable ............................... 1 1 ( ) 3 - 4 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 2 5 1 ( )

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 In these plans, the participant is required to use a generic equivalent when

available; if a generic equivalent is not chosen, the individual must pay the

difference in total cost between the name-brand and generic drug plus any required

copayment. For example, if an individual is subject to a $5 copayment for generic

drugs and the name-brand equivalent is purchased, the individual must pay the

difference in total cost between the name-brand and generic drug, plus the $5

copayment.

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do

not meet publication criteria.
3

Table 24. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Comparison with coverage for other illnesses, all private industry

workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Comparison with coverage for other

illnesses

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Mental health care

Inpatient

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 14 16 14 8 13 15 13 15 19 13

Covered differently ............................. 86 84 86 92 87 85 87 85 81 87

Outpatient1

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 6 9 4 4 4 7 8 5 5 7

Covered differently ............................. 94 91 96 96 96 93 92 95 95 93

Alcohol abuse

Inpatient detoxification2

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 23 24 22 21 23 23 25 22 26 23

Covered differently ............................. 77 76 78 79 77 77 75 78 74 77

Inpatient rehabilitation3

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 7 8 6 4 7 7 7 7 5 7

Covered differently ............................. 93 92 94 96 93 93 93 93 95 93

Outpatient rehabilitation1

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 4 1 5

Covered differently ............................. 96 95 97 96 96 96 95 96 99 95

Drug abuse

Inpatient detoxification2

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 23 25 22 19 23 23 25 22 26 22

Covered differently ............................. 77 75 78 81 77 77 75 78 74 78

Inpatient rehabilitation3

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 6 7 5 2 6 6 7 6 5 6

Covered differently ............................. 94 93 95 98 94 94 93 94 95 94

Outpatient rehabilitation1

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered the same .............................. 4 5 2 2 4 4 5 3 1 4

Covered differently ............................. 96 95 98 98 96 96 95 97 99 96

1 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 2 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse.

3 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
Table 25. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Coverage in indemnity plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Mental health care

Inpatient

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 2

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 18 18 16 23 15 19 18 18 25 16

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 68 66 70 69 69 67 67 68 58 70

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 13 14 12 5 14 12 12 13 16 12

Outpatient2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 26 26 25 31 24 27 28 24 30 25

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 68 68 69 65 70 67 66 70 67 68

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 5 5 5 2 5 5 4 5 3 5

Alcohol abuse

Inpatient detoxification3

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 17 17 16 19 15 17 14 18 25 15

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 65 63 69 61 67 64 64 66 59 66

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 16 18 13 18 16 17 19 14 15 17

Inpatient rehabilitation4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 1 1 5 ( ) 1 1 2 5 ( ) 1 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 20 20 18 21 19 20 20 20 30 18

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 73 72 76 71 72 74 73 73 66 75

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 6 7 5 8 8 6 5 7 2 7

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 27 26 26 29 27 27 29 25 32 26

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 71 71 71 70 69 71 69 72 66 71

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 2 2 3 1 3 2 2 3 1 3

See footnotes at end of table.
36

Table 25. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Coverage in indemnity plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Drug Abuse

Inpatient detoxification3

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 16 16 16 19 15 17 14 18 25 15

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 66 64 69 63 68 65 65 66 59 67

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 16 18 13 16 16 16 19 13 15 16

Inpatient rehabilitation4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 1 1 5 ( ) 1 1 1 5 ( ) 1 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 19 20 18 21 18 20 19 20 30 17

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 74 73 76 73 73 74 75 74 66 76

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 6 7 5 6 7 5 5 6 2 6

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1

Subject to internal limits only1 ............ 26 26 25 26 27 25 29 24 31 25

Subject to internal limits and overall

limits1 ................................................ 71 71 71 73 69 72 69 73 68 72

Subject to overall limits only1 ............. 2 2 3 1 3 2 2 3 1 3

1 Separate limitations indicate that alcohol abuse treatment benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

rehabilitation care to 30 days per year, but the limit on inpatient care for any other

type of illness is greater than 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits.

The total is less than the sum of the individual items, because many plans had more

than one type of limitation. 2 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated.

3 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 4 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications. 5 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
37

Table 26. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Coverage in prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Mental health care

Inpatient

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 14 17 8 7 10 15 14 14 11 14

Subject to limits1 ................................ 86 83 92 93 90 85 86 86 89 86

Outpatient2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( )

Subject to limits1 ................................ 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Alcohol abuse

Inpatient detoxification4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 16 16 17 10 16 16 16 15 19 15

Subject to limits1 ................................ 84 84 83 90 84 84 84 85 81 85

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 5 5 6 6 8 5 6 4 2 6

Subject to limits1 ................................ 95 95 94 94 92 95 94 96 98 94

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 2 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 1 1 1 3 ( ) 1

Subject to limits1 ................................ 99 98 100 100 99 99 99 99 100 99

Drug Abuse

Inpatient detoxification4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 16 16 17 10 16 16 16 15 19 15

Subject to limits1 ................................ 84 84 83 90 84 84 84 85 81 85

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 5 5 6 6 8 5 6 4 2 6

Subject to limits1 ................................ 95 95 94 94 92 95 94 96 98 94

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered in full .................................... 1 2 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 1 1 1 3 ( ) 1

Subject to limits1 ................................ 99 98 100 100 99 99 99 99 100 99

1 Limits may be set in terms of dollar or day ceilings on benefits, a requirement

that the participant pay a percentage of cost (coinsurance), or a requirement that

the participant pay a specific amount (deductible or copayment) before

reimbursement begins or services are rendered. 2 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 3 Less than 0.5 percent.

4 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 5 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
38

Table 27. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Application to out-of-pocket expense provisions in indemnity plans, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Mental health care

Inpatient

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 68 65 72 68 71 66 69 67 66 68

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 31 33 27 31 29 32 29 32 32 31

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 2 2 1 2 1

Outpatient2

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 64 63 67 62 68 62 64 65 60 65

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 34 35 32 38 32 36 34 35 38 34

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 2 2 1 1 1

Alcohol abuse

Inpatient detoxification3

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 70 69 71 72 69 70 72 68 71 70

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 29 29 29 28 31 28 26 31 29 29

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Inpatient rehabilitation4

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 68 66 71 66 70 67 72 65 63 69

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 31 32 29 33 30 32 26 35 37 30

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 65 63 69 64 69 63 68 63 62 66

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 34 35 31 35 30 35 30 36 38 33

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1

See footnotes at end of table.
3

Table 27. Mental health care and substance abuse treatment benefits: Application to out-of-pocket expense provisions in indemnity plans, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Type of coverage All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Drug abuse

Inpatient detoxification3

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 70 68 71 73 68 71 71 68 71 69

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 29 30 29 27 32 28 27 31 29 29

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Inpatient rehabilitation4

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 68 66 71 67 69 67 72 65 63 69

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 31 33 29 32 31 31 27 34 37 30

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Outpatient rehabilitation2

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 65 63 69 66 69 64 68 64 62 66

Not subject to plan’s

 out-of-pocket limits .......................... 33 35 31 34 30 35 30 36 38 33

Not determinable ................................ 1 2 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 3 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse.

4 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
40

Table 28. Mental health care benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity and prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Indemnity

Inpatient

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits1 ............................. 18 19 18 11 18 18 18 18 25 17

Subject to separate limits2 ................. 82 81 82 89 82 82 82 82 75 83

Days ................................................ 74 73 73 83 75 74 73 75 66 76

Dollars ............................................. 8 6 12 6 9 8 12 5 13 7

Coinsurance .................................... 9 9 7 11 8 9 7 10 10 9

Copayment ..................................... 8 9 5 11 5 9 10 7 5 9

Other3 ............................................. 3 4 2 1 3 3 2 4 3 3

Outpatient4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits1 ............................. 10 12 9 7 10 10 12 9 7 11

Subject to separate limits2 ................. 90 88 91 93 90 90 88 91 93 89

Days ................................................ 74 73 72 83 76 73 71 76 68 75

Dollars ............................................. 9 7 14 2 10 9 13 7 13 8

Coinsurance .................................... 18 15 22 20 24 15 18 18 24 17

Copayment ..................................... 24 26 20 27 19 27 25 24 17 26

Other3 ............................................. 7 8 5 6 5 8 7 7 6 7

See footnotes at end of table.
4

Table 28. Mental health care benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity and prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Prepaid

Inpatient

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits1 ............................. 23 26 19 14 23 23 22 23 17 23

Subject to separate limits2 ................. 77 74 81 86 77 77 78 77 83 77

Days ................................................ 68 66 72 76 73 67 63 73 79 67

Dollars ............................................. 4 3 4 5 4 4 7 1 - 4

Coinsurance .................................... 4 4 4 4 5 ( ) 5 4 5 4 4

Copayment ..................................... 24 20 27 38 21 25 34 15 25 24

Other3 ............................................. 1 1 1 5 ( ) 3 5 ( ) 1 1 - 1

Outpatient4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits1 ............................. 10 12 6 5 6 10 10 9 4 10

Subject to separate limits2 ................. 90 88 94 95 94 90 90 91 96 90

Days ................................................ 78 79 77 73 82 77 74 81 91 76

Dollars ............................................. 3 2 4 5 ( ) 3 2 4 1 5 ( ) 3

Coinsurance .................................... 5 4 5 10 3 5 4 5 1 5

Copayment ..................................... 54 52 55 61 49 55 57 51 60 53

Other3 ............................................. 1 2 1 5 ( ) 2 1 5 ( ) 2 2 1

1 These include plans that provide coverage without any separate limits; they

also include plans that provide coverage subject to only the major medical limits of

the plan. 2 Separate limitations indicate that mental health care benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

mental health care to 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits. The total

is less than the sum of the individual items because many plans had more than one

type of limitation. 3 These are plans for which comparisons were made between copayments and

coinsurances for mental health care and all other illnesses. For example, outpatient

mental health care had a 50-percent coinsurance payment, while office visits for

other illnesses had a $10 copayment. 4 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 5 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
42

Table 29. Alcohol abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity plans, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Inpatient detoxification1

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 23 25 21 23 23 24 26 21 26 23

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 77 75 79 77 77 76 74 79 74 77

Days ................................................ 63 63 61 68 59 65 63 63 62 63

Dollars ............................................. 20 17 28 12 26 17 20 20 20 20

Coinsurance .................................... 7 6 8 5 9 6 7 7 10 6

Copayment ..................................... 9 9 6 13 6 10 11 7 9 9

Other4 ............................................. 4 4 5 1 6 3 2 6 4 4

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 9 10 8 9 10 9 9 9 7 10

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 91 90 92 91 90 91 91 91 93 90

Days ................................................ 75 77 70 81 68 78 76 74 81 74

Dollars ............................................. 23 19 32 13 30 19 24 22 22 23

Coinsurance .................................... 9 9 9 10 9 9 7 11 17 8

Copayment ..................................... 10 11 8 14 8 12 14 8 10 10

Other4 ............................................. 5 5 7 1 9 4 4 7 4 6

Outpatient rehabilitation6

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 6 7 6 4 8 6 7 6 3 7

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 94 93 94 96 92 94 93 94 97 93

Days ................................................ 66 68 60 79 58 70 67 66 66 67

Dollars ............................................. 24 21 31 13 31 20 26 22 24 24

Coinsurance .................................... 17 15 21 16 23 15 15 18 28 15

Copayment ..................................... 23 26 18 25 17 26 26 22 12 25

Other4 ............................................. 9 9 9 6 10 8 7 10 7 9

1 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 2 These include plans that provide coverage without any separate limits; they

also include plans that provide coverage subject to only the major medical limits of

the plan. 3 Separate limitations indicate that alcohol abuse treatment benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

rehabilitation care to 30 days per year, but the limit on inpatient care for any other

type of illness is greater than 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits.

The total is less than the sum of the individual items because many plans had more

than one type of limitation. 4 These are plans for which comparisons were made between copayments and

coinsurances for alcohol abuse treatment and all other illnesses. For example,

outpatient alcohol abuse treatment had a 50-percent coinsurance payment, while

office visits for other illnesses had a $10 copayment. 5 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications. 6 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
4

Table 30. Alcohol abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Inpatient detoxification1

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 37 35 46 32 49 34 38 36 39 36

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 63 65 54 68 51 66 62 64 61 64

Days ................................................ 49 52 40 49 40 51 44 54 48 49

Dollars ............................................. 5 3 7 10 6 5 5 5 3 5

Coinsurance .................................... 5 4 6 4 6 4 4 6 2 5

Copayment ..................................... 22 20 19 35 12 24 28 16 24 21

Other4 ............................................. 2 1 2 2 4 1 1 2 2 2

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 11 11 16 8 22 9 12 10 5 12

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 89 89 84 92 78 91 88 90 95 88

Days ................................................ 79 83 65 77 65 81 77 80 87 77

Dollars ............................................. 7 5 11 12 7 7 8 6 5 7

Coinsurance .................................... 4 4 8 1 8 4 4 5 3 5

Copayment ..................................... 28 25 29 44 19 30 37 20 37 27

Other4 ............................................. 2 1 3 2 4 1 1 3 2 2

Outpatient rehabilitation6

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 6 7 4 5 4 6 6 6 1 7

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 94 93 96 95 96 94 94 94 99 93

Days ................................................ 71 74 69 63 71 71 63 79 77 70

Dollars ............................................. 6 5 9 8 7 6 8 5 5 6

Coinsurance .................................... 7 8 8 6 6 8 10 5 1 8

Copayment ..................................... 52 50 51 68 36 56 55 50 63 51

Other4 ............................................. 2 2 1 3 5 1 7 ( ) 4 2 2

1 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 2 These include plans that provide coverage without any separate limits; they

also include plans that provide coverage subject to only the major medical limits of

the plan. 3 Separate limitations indicate that alcohol abuse treatment benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

rehabilitation care to 30 days per year, but the limit on inpatient care for any other

type of illness is greater than 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits.

The total is less than the sum of the individual items because many plans had more

than one type of limitation. 4 These are plans for which comparisons were made between copayments and

coinsurances for alcohol abuse treatment and all other illnesses. For example,

outpatient alcohol abuse treatment had a 50-percent coinsurance payment, while

office visits for other illnesses had a $10 copayment. 5 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications. 6 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 7 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
44

Table 31. Drug abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in indemnity plans, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Inpatient detoxification1

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 23 24 20 21 23 23 25 21 25 22

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 77 76 80 79 77 77 75 79 75 78

Days ................................................ 63 63 62 70 59 65 64 63 62 64

Dollars ............................................. 20 16 28 12 26 17 20 20 20 20

Coinsurance .................................... 7 6 8 5 9 6 7 7 10 6

Copayment ..................................... 9 9 6 13 6 10 11 7 9 9

Other4 ............................................. 4 4 5 1 6 3 2 6 4 4

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 9 10 8 7 10 8 9 9 7 9

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 91 90 92 93 90 92 91 91 93 91

Days ................................................ 75 77 71 83 68 79 76 75 81 74

Dollars ............................................. 23 19 32 13 30 20 24 22 22 23

Coinsurance .................................... 9 9 9 10 9 9 8 10 17 8

Copayment ..................................... 10 11 8 14 8 12 14 8 10 10

Other4 ............................................. 5 5 7 1 9 4 4 7 4 6

Outpatient rehabilitation6

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 6 7 5 2 7 5 6 5 3 6

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 94 93 95 98 93 95 94 95 97 94

Days ................................................ 67 68 61 81 58 71 68 66 65 67

Dollars ............................................. 23 20 31 13 31 20 25 22 24 23

Coinsurance .................................... 17 15 21 16 23 15 15 19 28 15

Copayment ..................................... 23 26 18 26 17 26 26 22 12 25

Other4 ............................................. 9 9 9 6 10 8 7 10 7 9

1 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 2 These include plans that provide coverage without any separate limits; they

also include plans that provide coverage subject to only the major medical limits of

the plan. 3 Separate limitations indicate that drug abuse treatment benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

rehabilitation care to 30 days per year, but the limit on inpatient care for any other

type of illness is greater than 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits.

The total is less than the sum of the individual items because many plans had more

than one type of limitation. 4 These are plans for which comparisons were made between copayments and

coinsurances for drug abuse treatment and all other illnesses. For example,

outpatient drug abuse treatment had a 50-percent coinsurance payment, while

office visits for other illnesses had a $10 copayment. 5 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications. 6 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
4

Table 32. Drug abuse treatment benefits: Separate limits on coverage in prepaid plans, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Coverage limitation All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Inpatient detoxification1

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 37 36 46 32 49 35 39 36 39 37

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 63 64 54 68 51 65 61 64 61 63

Days ................................................ 48 51 40 49 40 50 43 54 48 49

Dollars ............................................. 5 3 7 10 6 5 5 5 3 5

Coinsurance .................................... 5 4 6 4 6 4 4 6 2 5

Copayment ..................................... 21 20 18 35 12 23 28 15 23 21

Other4 ............................................. 2 1 2 2 4 1 1 2 2 2

Inpatient rehabilitation5

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 11 10 14 7 19 9 13 9 2 12

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 89 90 86 93 81 91 87 91 98 88

Days ................................................ 79 83 67 78 68 81 77 81 89 78

Dollars ............................................. 7 5 11 12 7 7 8 6 5 7

Coinsurance .................................... 4 4 8 1 9 4 4 5 3 5

Copayment ..................................... 29 25 31 45 19 31 37 21 38 27

Other4 ............................................. 2 1 3 2 4 1 1 3 2 2

Outpatient rehabilitation6

Total ..................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No separate limits2 ............................. 6 7 4 5 4 6 6 6 1 7

Subject to separate limits3 ................. 94 93 96 95 96 94 94 94 99 93

Days ................................................ 71 74 69 63 71 71 63 79 77 70

Dollars ............................................. 6 5 9 8 7 6 8 5 5 6

Coinsurance .................................... 7 8 8 6 6 8 10 5 1 8

Copayment ..................................... 52 49 49 68 37 55 55 49 63 50

Other4 ............................................. 2 2 1 3 5 1 7 ( ) 4 2 2

1 Detoxification is the systematic use of medication and other methods under

medical supervision, to reduce or eliminate the effects of substance abuse. 2 These include plans that provide coverage without any separate limits; they

also include plans that provide coverage subject to only the major medical limits of

the plan. 3 Separate limitations indicate that drug abuse treatment benefits are more

restrictive than benefits for other treatments. For example, if a plan limits inpatient

rehabilitation care to 30 days per year, but the limit on inpatient care for any other

type of illness is greater than 30 days per year, the plan contains separate limits.

The total is less than the sum of the individual items because many plans had more

than one type of limitation. 4 These are plans for which comparisons were made between copayments and

coinsurances for drug abuse treatment and all other illnesses. For example,

outpatient drug abuse treatment had a 50-percent coinsurance payment, while

office visits for other illnesses had a $10 copayment. 5 Rehabilitation is designed to alter the abusive behavior in patients once they

are free of acute physical and mental complications. 6 Includes treatment in one or more of the following: outpatient department of a

hospital, residential treatment center, organized outpatient clinic, day-night

treatment center, or doctor’s office. If benefits differed by location of treatment, the

location offering the most beneficial coverage was tabulated. 7 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
46

Table 33. Dental care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures and median percentage of usual, customary, and reasonable charge, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Categories of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Exams

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

In full2 .............................................. 21 19 22 22 24 19 18 22 22 20

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 2 1 3 1 3 1 2 2 3 2

Subject to copayment3 .................... 4 3 3 8 2 4 5 3 3 4

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 73 75 71 67 70 74 74 72 72 73

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - - - 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - - 6 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 6 ( ) - - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( )

Median percent ...................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Xrays

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

In full2 .............................................. 20 19 22 22 23 19 19 21 21 20

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 2 1 3 1 3 1 2 2 3 2

Subject to copayment3 .................... 4 3 3 9 2 4 5 3 4 4

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 73 75 72 67 71 74 74 73 72 74

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - - - 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - - 6 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 6 ( ) - - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( )

Median percent ...................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Fillings

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 100 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100

In full2 .............................................. 4 5 2 2 3 4 1 5 4 4

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 3 5 3

Subject to copayment3 .................... 5 5 5 4 6 5 8 3 5 5

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 87 86 88 91 88 87 85 88 87 87

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... - - - - - - - - - -

Not determinable ................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 1 - 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 6 ( )

Median percent ...................................... 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

See footnotes at end of table.
47

Table 33. Dental care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures and median percentage of usual, customary, and reasonable charge, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Categories of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Surgery7

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 99 99 100 99 100 99 99 100 100 99

In full2 .............................................. 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 4 3 3

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 3 5 4

Subject to copayment3 .................... 6 6 5 4 6 5 9 4 6 6

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 87 85 88 91 88 87 84 88 86 87

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 1 1 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( )

Median percent ...................................... 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

Periodontal care

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 98 97 99 98 99 97 96 99 99 98

In full2 .............................................. 2 2 1 6 ( ) 1 2 1 2 2 2

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 6 3 5 5 4 5 4

Subject to copayment3 .................... 6 7 6 4 7 6 9 5 8 6

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 86 84 87 91 87 85 80 89 85 86

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not determinable ................................... 2 2 1 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 2 4 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 2

Median percent ...................................... 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

Endodontics

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 98 98 99 99 99 98 96 99 99 98

In full2 .............................................. 2 2 2 6 ( ) 1 2 1 2 2 2

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 3 5 4

Subject to copayment3 .................... 6 7 6 4 7 6 8 5 7 6

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 86 84 88 92 87 85 81 89 86 86

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 1 2 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 2 3 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 2

Median percent ...................................... 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

See footnotes at end of table.
48

Table 33. Dental care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures and median percentage of usual, customary, and reasonable charge, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Categories of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Crowns

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 98 98 98 98 97 98 98 98 99 98

In full2 .............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 6 ( )

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 4 3 5 5 4 5 4

Subject to copayment3 .................... 7 7 7 3 8 6 9 6 8 6

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 87 86 87 91 86 87 83 88 85 87

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 2

Not determinable ................................... 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( )

Median percent ...................................... 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

Prosthetics

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 97 96 97 98 94 98 97 97 98 96

In full2 .............................................. 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( )

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 4 4 4 4 3 5 5 4 5 4

Subject to copayment3 .................... 7 7 7 3 8 6 9 6 8 7

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 85 84 86 91 83 87 82 87 86 85

Other5 ............................................. 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1 1 1 1 6 ( ) 1

Not covered ........................................... 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 2

Not determinable ................................... 1 2 1 6 ( ) 3 1 1 2 6 ( ) 2

Median percent ...................................... 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

See footnotes at end of table.
49

Table 33. Dental care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures and median percentage of usual, customary, and reasonable charge, all

private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 — Continued

Categories of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Orthodontia

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1,8 ............................................. 73 73 76 64 75 72 68 76 80 72

In full2 .............................................. 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) - 6 ( )

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 6 6 5 7 4 7 5 6 9 5

Subject to copayment3 .................... 6 6 7 5 7 6 9 5 6 6

Percent of usual, customary, and

reasonable charge4 ....................... 62 61 67 53 66 61 55 66 68 61

Other5 ............................................. 4 4 3 4 2 5 3 5 4 4

Not covered ........................................... 21 22 20 26 20 22 24 20 14 23

Not determinable ................................... 5 5 4 9 4 6 8 4 6 5

Median percent ...................................... 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

1 Sum of individual items is greater than total because some participants were

in plans with more than one limit. 2 Includes plans that paid the full cost, with no deductible or maximum dollar

amount. 3 Participant pays a specific amount per procedure and plan pays all remaining

expenses. In the case of orthodontia, the copayment is generally applied once per

lifetime. 4 Charges assessed by healthcare providers based on the usual, customary,

and reasonable (UCR) fees in the locality. Normally a plan will pay all or a portion

of the expenses incurred up to the UCR charge; expenses above the UCR charge

must be paid by the plan participant. 5 Includes plans that provide care based on an incentive schedule or discounted

benefit. An incentive schedule is a reimbursement arrangement in which the

percentage of dental expenses paid by the plan increases if regular dental

appointments are scheduled. Discounted benefits are available if obtained from an

approved provider. 6 Less than 0.5 percent. 7 Excludes plans that limited coverage to accidental injuries, removal of

impacted wisdom teeth, or repair of jaw. 8 Includes plans that have coverage, but the type is unknown. Previously, these

plans were included under the category "Not determinable".

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
5

Table 34. Dental care benefits: Amount of individual deductible,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of deductible All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to separate dental deductible2 .. 73 72 73 79 71 74 75 72 60 75

Yearly deductible only ....................... 72 72 72 79 71 73 74 72 59 75

$25 ................................................ 11 11 11 12 15 10 9 12 14 11

$50 ................................................ 51 53 47 53 43 55 53 51 34 55

Other ............................................. 9 6 13 9 12 7 10 8 8 9

Unspecified ........................................ 1 1 1 4 1 2 2 1 3 1

Lifetime deductible only ..................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) - 1 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( )

Both yearly and lifetime deductible .... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) 3 ( )

No deductible ........................................ 24 25 24 20 25 24 23 25 35 22

Not determinable ................................... 3 3 3 1 4 2 2 3 5 2

Average employee yearly deductible .... $51 $50 $55 $50 $53 $51 $53 $50 $51 $51

1 Amount of deductible described is for each insured person. In some plans,

the individual and family deductibles are identical. Excludes separate deductibles for

orthodontic procedures. 2 A single deductible may not apply to all covered dental procedures. If separate

deductibles applied to different procedures, the sum of the deductible amounts was

tabulated.

3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 35. Dental care benefits: Relationship of yearly family deductibles to yearly individual deductibles, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Relationship between individual and

family deductible

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total1 .................................................. 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With individual and family deductible 56 54 59 62 58 56 54 58 41 59

Family deductible is:

2 times individual deductible ......... 12 14 7 15 11 13 11 13 12 12

 3 times individual deductible ......... 42 39 49 45 44 42 40 44 28 45

 Other ............................................. 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 2

No deductible or no family deductible 40 42 37 32 37 41 41 39 51 37

Not determinable ................................ 3 3 3 1 4 2 2 3 5 2

1 Includes workers where the individual or family deductible is unspecified.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
Table 36. Dental care benefits: Maximum benefit provision,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Dollar amount2 All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Yearly maximum specified3 ................... 88 88 91 79 91 86 85 89 87 88

Less than $1,000 ............................... 8 7 9 5 10 7 7 8 7 8

$1,000 ............................................... 31 28 37 31 33 30 31 31 30 31

$1,001–$1,499 .................................. 6 7 6 4 4 7 4 7 6 6

$1,500 ............................................... 30 33 24 31 30 30 33 29 23 32

Greater than $1,500 .......................... 13 13 15 8 14 13 9 15 21 11

Unspecified ........................................ 4 ( ) 4 ( ) 4 ( ) 4 ( ) 1 4 ( ) 1 4 ( ) - 4 ( )

No yearly maximum ............................... 10 10 7 15 7 11 12 9 9 10

Maximum provision not determinable .... 3 2 2 6 3 3 4 2 4 2

Average yearly maximum ...................... $1,321 $1,337 $1,296 $1,305 $1,308 $1,327 $1,310 $1,327 $1,413 $1,304

1 Includes all covered dental procedures except orthodontia. Amount of

maximum specified is for each insured person. 2 Coverage for dental procedures may be subject to scheduled allowance,

deductible, or coinsurance provisions, in addition to maximum dollar limitations. 3 If separate yearly maximums applied to different procedures, the sum of the

maximum was tabulated. Maximums applied to dental expenses only.

4 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 37. Orthodontia care benefits: Maximum benefit provision,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Dollar amount All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Lifetime maximum specified ................. 79 78 81 71 83 77 70 83 80 78

Less than $1,000 ............................... 6 5 6 6 3 6 5 6 8 5

$1,000 ............................................... 29 26 34 31 28 29 31 28 26 29

$1,001–$1,499 .................................. 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 2

$1,500 ............................................... 25 28 20 22 27 24 18 29 14 27

Greater than $1,500 .......................... 17 16 20 12 22 14 14 18 30 14

Dollar amount unspecified ................. 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

No lifetime maximum ............................. 20 21 18 27 16 22 28 16 17 21

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1

Average lifetime maximum3 .................. $1,385 $1,385 $1,402 $1,322 $1,482 $1,343 $1,342 $1,403 $1,535 $1,352

1 Coverage for orthodontic procedure may be subject to scheduled allowance,

deductible, or coinsurance provisions, in addition to maximum dollar limitations. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 The average is presented for all covered workers; averages exclude workers

without the plan provision.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
5

Table 38. Orthodontia care benefits: Type of individuals covered, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of individual covered All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Dependent children only ....................... 47 45 51 43 47 47 41 50 49 46

Employee and dependents .................... 47 48 44 44 48 46 49 45 45 47

Not determinable ................................... 7 7 5 13 5 7 10 5 7 7

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.

Table 39. Orthodentia care benefits: Comparison in dollar maximums between employees and dependents, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005

Categories of care and extent of

coverage

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Difference in dollar maximums ............. 3 3 2 4 4 2 3 3 2 3

No difference in dollar maximums ......... 96 96 96 96 93 97 95 96 97 96

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 2 1 ( ) 3 1 ( ) 2 1 1 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
Table 40. Vision care benefits: Coverage for selected procedures, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Type of vision benefit All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Exams

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 99 99 100 100 100 99 99 100 100 99

In full ............................................... 29 28 31 26 34 27 31 28 34 27

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 20 17 27 16 23 18 18 21 28 18

Subject to copayment ..................... 48 50 41 61 40 51 47 49 40 51

Retail discount ................................ 4 5 3 2 3 4 5 3 1 5

Other2 ............................................. 2 3 2 1 3 2 2 2 3 2

Not covered ........................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 3 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - 1 1 3 ( ) - 1

Glasses

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

In full ............................................... 13 13 12 12 17 11 13 13 17 11

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 50 50 50 50 47 51 43 53 51 50

Subject to copayment ..................... 33 33 32 38 29 35 30 35 31 34

Retail discount ................................ 20 22 15 21 17 20 29 14 11 22

Other2 ............................................. 3 3 4 2 4 3 3 3 4 3

Not covered ........................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) - - 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( )

Contacts4

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Covered1 ............................................... 99 100 98 100 98 100 98 100 98 100

In full ............................................... 8 9 7 8 8 9 11 7 6 9

Scheduled cash allowance ............. 60 59 63 61 64 59 49 66 65 59

Subject to copayment ..................... 22 20 24 27 21 23 21 23 33 19

Retail discount ................................ 21 23 16 23 17 23 29 17 12 24

Other2 ............................................. 3 3 4 2 7 2 2 4 4 3

Not covered ........................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 2 3 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ( ) 1 3 ( ) 1 3 ( )

1 The total is less than the sum of individual items because many participants

are in plans with more than one type of limitation. 2 Includes plans subject to coinsurance and retail discount. 3 Less than 0.5 percent. 4 Includes plans that provide coverage for elected purchase of contact lenses;

medically necessary contact lenses (that is, cataract surgery) normally are provided

under the surgical portion of the medical plan and are not described in this table.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category.
5

Retirement plans are classified as either defined benefit 

or defined contribution plans. Defined benefit plans 

determine payments according to a fixed formula 

based on salary, years of service, and age. Defined contribution plans determine payouts on the amount of money contributed and the rate of return on the money invested.

Defined Benefit Plans

Defined benefit pension plans provide employees with 

guaranteed retirement benefits based on benefit formulas. A 

participant’s retirement age, length of service, and preretirement earnings may affect the benefits received. Definitions, 

key provisions, and related terms follow.

Traditional

Terminal-earnings formulas. Benefits are based on a percentage of average earnings during a specified number of years at 

the end of a worker’s career (or when earnings are highest), 

multiplied by the number of years of service recognized by 

the plan.

Career earnings formulas. Benefits are based on a percentage of an average of career earnings for every year of service 

recognized by the plan.

Dollar amount formulas. Benefits are based on a dollar 

amount per month for each year of service recognized by the 

plan.

Percentage-of-contribution formulas. Benefits are based on 

employer and, occasionally, employee contributions. Benefits 

equal a percentage of total contributions.

Other types

Cash balance formulas. Benefits are computed as a percentage of each employee’s account balance. Employers specify 

a contribution, and a rate of interest on that contribution, that 

will provide a set amount at retirement, generally as a lump 

sum.

Pension equity. For each year of work, employees are credited with a percentage applied to their final average earnings. 

Benefits are generally disbursed as a lump sum.

Normal retirement

Normal retirement is the age at which plan participants may 

retire and receive all accrued benefits.

Early retirement

Early retirement is the age (or a combination of age and service) at which plan participants may retire and receive all 

accrued benefits, minus a reduction for the years prior to their 

normal retirement age.

Benefit payment methods

Payments from defined benefit plans may be in the form 

of a straight life annuity, a joint-and-survivor annuity,

a percentage of unreduced accrued benefit, or a lump sum.

Straight life annuity. A periodic payment made for the life of 

the retiree, with no additional payments to survivors.

Joint-and-survivor annuity. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires defined benefit pension plans that offer an annuity as a payment option 

to provide a qualified joint-and-survivor annuity (QJSA) as 

the normal benefit payment for married participants. A QJSA 

is an immediate annuity for the life of the participant and a 

survivor annuity for the life of the participant’s spouse. The 

amount of the survivor annuity may not be less than 50 percent, or more than 100 percent, of the amount payable durin

the time the participant and spouse are both alive. The annuity payable for the life of the participant is lower than that for 

a straight life annuity; to account for the increased length of 

time over which payments will be made, this reduction may 

be a percentage of the straight life benefit, such as 10 percent, 

or may be based on the life expectancy of the participant and 

spouse.

Percentage of unreduced accrued benefit. Under this method, 

the participant’s pension is not reduced to adjust for survivor 

benefits. The participant will receive an amount equal to the 

straight life annuity, and the spouse will receive a proportion of that amount, often 50 percent, should the participan

die.

Lump-sum payment. The participant may opt for a full lump 

sum, with no further benefits received from the plan. If a plan 

provides for a partial lump-sum payment, the participant will 

usually receive a reduced annuity as well.

Chapter 2. Retirement Income

Benefits
Vesting

Vesting. This term refers to the amount of time a participant 

must work before earning a nonforfeitable right to a retirement benefit. Once vested, the accrued benefit is retained 

even if the worker leaves the employer before reaching retirement age.

Cliff vesting. No vesting occurs until an employee satisfies 

the service requirements for 100-percent vesting—for example, 5 years.

Graded vesting. An employee’s nonforfeitable percentage of 

employer contributions increases over time, until reaching 

100 percent.

Integration with Social Security

Defined benefit plans may “integrate” retirement benefits

with Social Security benefits. Under this approach, the

employer’s contribution to Social Security (FICA taxes) is 

taken into account when plan benefits are computed. Integration may be accomplished by an offset or a step-rate

method.

Offset. Part of a participant’s Social Security benefit is subtracted from the benefit otherwise payable by the plan. The 

maximum allowable offset is 83.3 percent of the Social Security benefit. The most common offset is 50 percent.

Step rate. Lower benefit rates are applied to earnings up to 

the specified taxable Social Security wage base (that is, the 

earnings subject to Social Security tax) in a given year.

Portability

Portability is a participant’s ability to maintain and transfer 

accumulated pension benefits when changing jobs. Portability provisions in defined benefit plans generally cover portability of assets, portability of credited service, or both.

Portability of assets. Participants can withdraw their accumulated pension benefits or transfer them to another retirement arrangement.

Portability of credited service. Participants are allowed to 

count the years of service with a previous employer when 

determining benefits from their current employer.

Disability retirement

Retirement resulting from a totally disabling injury or illness prior to eligibility for early or normal retirement. Plans 

providing disability retirement benefits may have a service 

requirement of 10 years or more. Benefits may be immediate 

or deferred.

Defined Contribution Plans

Defined contribution plans are retirement plans that specify 

the level of employer contributions and place those contributions into individual employee accounts.

Plan types

Savings and thrift plans. Employees may contribute a predetermined portion of earnings (usually pretax)—all or part 

of which the employer matches—to an individual account. 

Employers may match a fixed percentage of employee contributions or a percentage that varies by length of service, the 

amount of employee contribution, or other factors. Contributions are invested as directed by the employee or employer. 

Although usually designed as a long-term savings vehicle, 

savings and thrift plans may allow withdrawals and loans before retirement.

Deferred profit-sharing plans. A company credits a portion of 

company profits to employees’ accounts. Plans may establish 

a formula for sharing profits, but this is not a requirement. 

Most plans hold money in employee accounts until retirement, disability, or death.

Money purchase pension plans. Fixed employer contributions, typically calculated as a percentage of employee earnings, are allocated to individual employee accounts each 

year. Some plans may allow employee contributions, but 

employees are usually not required to make any contributions. Employers may also make profit-sharing contributions 

to these plans at their discretion.

Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). The employer 

pays a designated amount, often borrowed, into a fund which 

then invests primarily in company stock. Any debt incurred 

in the purchase of the stock is repaid by the company. Stock 

then is distributed to employees according to a formula.

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs). An IRA is a retirement 

savings plan. There are several types of IRAs: Traditional 

IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMP IRAs. Traditional 

and Roth IRAs are established by individuals who are allowed to contribute earnings up to a set maximum dollar 

amount. SEPs and SIMPs are retirement plans established 

by employers. (See SEPs and SIMPs definitions for more 

details.)

Simplified employee pensions (SEPs). An individual retirement account (IRA) is established for each eligible employee. 

The employee is immediately vested in employer contributions and generally directs the investment of the money. 

These arrangements are sometimes called SEP-IRA’s.

Savings-incentive match plans (SIMPs). These plans can be 

adopted by employers who have 100 or fewer employees and
56

who do not offer any other retirement plans. The plans can be 

either IRAs established for each employee or part of a 401(k) 

plan (defined later in this chapter under “Related plans and 

terms”). Within limits, contributions to these plans are not tax 

deductible until withdrawn. SIMPs are subject to simplified 

reporting requirements. 

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k) (salary reduction with employer contribution) plan. This plan allows 

employees to make pretax contributions to deferred compensation plans through salary reduction agreements. These 

arrangements often are associated with savings and thrift and 

other defined contribution plans.

Investment choices

Company stock. Employees receive equity in the company 

that sponsors the defined contribution plan. 

Common stock fund. This is a professionally managed fund 

invested in the common stock of a variety of companies.

Fixed-interest securities. These securities include bonds and 

other non-Federal instruments that pay a fixed interest rate 

over a period of time.

Diversified investments. These are professionally managed 

funds that are invested in more than one type of equity or 

debt instrument.

Money market fund. This is a professionally managed mutual 

fund that invests in short-term Treasury bills, certificates of 

deposit, or corporate bonds. The fund managers sell shares to 

investors, who receive regular payments of interest.

Withdrawals and loans

Withdrawals. Prior to normal payout (usually at retirement), 

defined contribution plan participants may be allowed to 

withdraw all or a portion of the employer funds from their 

accounts. While most early withdrawals incur tax penalties, 

hardship withdrawals do not. (See below.) To avoid tax penalties, many plans have loan provisions that allow employees 

to borrow from their accounts, with interest, for a specified 

period of time.

Hardship withdrawals. Employees are usually not penalized 

when money is withdrawn as a result of a hardship, often 

defined as a death or illness of a family member, educational 

expenses, sudden uninsured losses, or a need to prevent eviction from one’s primary residence.

Loans. Defined contribution plans may allow participants to 

borrow employer funds, with interest, from their accounts. 

Loan amounts are often limited to a portion of the account 

balance. They usually have to be repaid within 5 years, but 

longer payment periods may apply for home purchase or 

renovation loans.

Transfers or rollovers. A rollover is a direct payment of plan 

benefits from a defined contribution plan into an IRA or another employer’s plan. In a direct rollover, the employee is 

not taxed on the payment until it is later withdrawn or distributed.

Vesting

Vesting refers to the amount of time a participant must work 

before earning a nonforfeitable right to a retirement benefit. 

Once vested, the worker retains the accrued benefit even if 

he or she leaves the employer before reaching retirement 

age. Under ERISA, defined contribution plans are subject to 

the same vesting rules as defined benefit plans, but vesting 

schedules vary. Vesting schedules apply only to employer 

contributions; employee contributions (including pretax contributions) are always 100-percent vested.

Immediate full vesting. Employees are immediately eligible 

to receive 100 percent of employer contributions.

Graded vesting. An employee’s nonforfeitable percentage 

of employer contributions increases over time, until vesting 

reaches 100 percent.

Cliff vesting. No vesting occurs until an employee satisfies 

the service requirements for 100-percent vesting—for example, 5 years.

Employer contribution methods

Specified matching percent. This feature is common in

savings and thrift plans. The employer matches a specified 

percentage of employee contributions. The matching percentage can vary by length of service, amount of employee 

contribution, and other factors.

Fixed percentage of profits formula. This feature is common 

in deferred profit-sharing plans. The employer contributes 

a fixed percentage of total annual profits to the plan. For

example, no matter what the level of profits, 5 percent is contributed to the plan. Profits may include those for the entire 

company or just those in a specific business unit. In a variation of this formula, employers set aside a reserve amount of 

profits (for example, $1 million) and pay only a fixed percentage of any profits above this amount into the employees’ 

defined contribution plan. 

Percentage of employee earnings. The employer contributes 

a fixed percentage of each employee’s earnings to his or her 

individual account. This feature is common in money purchase plans.

Related plans and terms

Stock bonus plan. Contributions are placed in a trust fund 

that invests in securities, including those of the employing 
57

company. This type of plan is financed by the employer or 

jointly by the employer and employee. Upon the employee’s

retirement or separation from the company, proceeds from 

the trust fund are paid out in the form of company stock or 

cash.

Automatic enrollment. As soon as eligibility requirements 

are met, employees become automatically covered under a 

plan but have the right to decline coverage at any time. A 

minimum default employee contribution is usually set, but 

employees may choose to contribute a different percentage.
58

Table 41. Defined benefit plans: Summary of plan provisions, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 

Plan provisions All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Benefits based on earnings ................... 53 56 43 73 39 59 48 54 37 61

Benefits with integrated formula ............ 28 32 21 37 29 28 25 30 11 37

Benefits subject to a maximum ............. 20 18 21 25 17 21 24 19 12 24

Early retirement benefits available ........ 82 76 89 94 90 79 76 84 87 80

Disability retirement benefits available .. 76 69 85 82 90 69 73 77 88 69

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
5

Table 42. Defined benefit plans: Eligibility requirements, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Eligibility requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Plan participation available to new

employees ........................................... 93 95 88 100 87 96 91 94 88 96

With minimum age or service

requirements .................................... 72 74 66 84 58 79 70 73 60 79

Service requirement only ............... 25 28 22 14 28 23 21 26 19 27

Less than 1 year ........................ 4 3 6 3 8 2 6 3 5 3

1 year ........................................ 20 25 16 10 20 21 15 22 14 24

Greater than 1 year ................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Age 21 ........................................... 46 45 42 69 29 54 47 45 37 50

No service requirement ............. 6 7 5 3 7 5 6 6 5 6

Less than 1 year ........................ 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1

1 year ........................................ 37 37 30 66 21 44 36 37 25 43

Greater than 1 year ................... 3 1 ( ) 7 - 1 ( ) 4 5 2 7 1 ( )

Other than age 21 ......................... 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 1

No service requirement ............. 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Less than 1 year ........................ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) 1 - - 1 ( )

1 year ........................................ 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 ( ) 2 3 1 ( )

No minimum age or service

requirement ...................................... 21 21 21 16 29 17 21 21 27 17

Plan participation not available to new

employees ........................................... 3 3 3 1 ( ) 4 2 2 3 3 3

Not determinable ................................... 4 2 9 1 ( ) 9 2 7 3 9 2

Average service requirement (in

months) ................................................ 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 13 12

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
60

Table 43. Defined benefit plans: Plan sponsor, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Plan sponsor All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Single employer ..................................... 82 92 68 77 74 86 73 85 57 95

Multiemployer group1 ............................ 17 7 31 23 26 13 24 15 42 4

Employer association2 ........................... 1 1 3 ( ) - - 1 2 - 3 ( ) 1

1 Plans established by a labor organization and provided to employees of two or more unrelated companies in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement. 2 Plans provided by a group of employers that banded together to provide benefits. 3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.

Table 44. Defined benefit plans: Primary formula, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics

Traditional

Cash

balance

Pension

equity All

traditional

plans

Percent of

terminal

earnings

Percent of

career

earnings

Dollar

amount

formula

Percent of

contribution

formula

All workers ............................................. 75 39 14 18 4 23 2

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 65 46 10 6 3 33 2

Blue collar .............................................. 87 27 16 37 7 12 1

Service .................................................. 86 41 32 12 1 ( ) 14 1

Full time ................................................. 74 39 11 19 4 24 2

Part time ................................................ 83 37 36 7 4 17 1 ( )

Union ..................................................... 88 21 15 41 10 12 1 ( )

Nonunion ............................................... 68 48 13 6 1 29 3

Average wage less than $15 per hour ... 77 44 18 11 4 22 1

Average wage $15 per hour or higher ... 74 37 12 21 4 24 2

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 88 32 7 42 7 10 2

Service producing .................................. 68 42 17 6 3 30 2

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 73 27 21 16 9 25 1

100 workers or more ............................. 75 42 12 19 3 23 2

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do

not meet publication criteria.
61

Table 45. Defined benefit plans: Integration with Social Security, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Integration with Social Security All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With integrated formula ......................... 28 32 21 37 29 28 25 30 11 37

Step-rate excess1 .............................. 20 21 14 33 16 21 20 19 9 25

Social Security breakpoint ............. 19 21 14 33 16 21 19 19 9 25

Dollar amount breakpoint .............. 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Offset by Social Security3 .................. 9 11 8 4 13 8 5 10 2 13

Without integrated formula .................... 70 67 75 62 67 71 75 68 85 62

Not determinable ................................... 2 1 3 1 5 1 2 ( ) 3 4 1

1 Formula applies lower benefit rate to earnings subject to FICA (Social

Security) taxes or below a specific dollar breakpoint. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Benefit as calculated by formula is reduced by portion of primary Social

Security payment.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 46. Defined benefit plans: Terminal earnings formulas, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 

Terminal earnings All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar

Goods

producing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Flat percent per year of service ............. 43 43 35 28 49 42 43 66 38

Less than 1.00 percent ...................... 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1 - 1

1.00–1.24 percent ............................. 6 6 6 6 6 3 7 5 7

1.25–1.49 percent ............................. 4 4 2 5 3 2 4 3 4

1.50–1.74 percent ............................. 17 15 22 16 17 10 18 21 16

1.75–1.99 percent ............................. 12 12 3 - 16 12 12 29 8

2.00–2.24 percent ............................. 3 4 1 1 ( ) 4 12 1 5 3

2.25 percent or greater ...................... 1 1 1 ( ) 1 1 - 1 4 1 ( )

Percent per year varies ......................... 47 47 56 69 39 42 48 26 52

By service .......................................... 11 11 13 28 5 - 13 10 11

By earnings ....................................... 23 21 33 29 21 24 23 13 26

By earnings and service .................... 13 15 10 12 13 18 12 3 15

Other ..................................................... 10 10 10 3 12 16 9 8 10

Average flat percent per year of service 1.59 1.60 1.56 1.49 1.62 1.66 1.58 1.76 1.52

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
62

Table 47. Defined benefit plans: Definitions of terminal earnings, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005 

Terminal earnings definition All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar

Goods

producing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

1 year .................................................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

3 years ................................................... 20 19 14 15 22 9 22 43 14

Last 3 ................................................. 1 2 1 1 1 - 2 5 1

High 3 ................................................ 1 1 1 3 1 ( ) 1 1 1 ( ) 1

Of last 10 ....................................... 1 1 1 2 - - 1 - 1

Of career ....................................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Of other time period ....................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

High consecutive 3 ............................ 18 16 12 12 20 7 20 38 13

Of last 10 ....................................... 5 4 6 4 6 5 5 10 4

Of career ....................................... 12 11 6 6 14 2 14 28 8

Of other time period ....................... 1 ( ) 1 - 1 - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

5 years ................................................... 72 74 78 84 68 74 72 42 79

Last 5 ................................................. 1 1 - - 1 - 1 1 ( ) 1

High 5 ................................................ 20 18 31 19 21 31 18 18 21

Of last 10 ....................................... 18 15 28 19 18 29 16 15 19

Of career ....................................... 3 2 4 - 4 2 3 4 2

High consecutive 5 ............................ 51 55 46 65 45 43 52 23 57

Of last 10 ....................................... 39 42 38 47 36 37 39 17 44

Of career ....................................... 11 13 8 18 8 6 12 6 12

Of other time period ....................... 1 1 1 - 1 - 1 - 1

Other period .......................................... 7 6 9 1 9 13 6 14 5

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 - - 1 4 1 ( ) - 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
63

Table 48. Defined benefit plans: Dollar amount formulas, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Dollar amount formula All workers Blue-collar

occupations

Goodsproducing

industries

Establishments with

100 workers

or more

Union

workers

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100

Flat monthly amount per year of

service ................................................. 84 91 88 89 94

$5.00–$9.99 ....................................... 12 16 16 12 14

$10.00–$14.99 ................................... 6 7 7 7 6

$15.00–$19.99 ................................... 2 1 3 2 3

$20.00–$24.99 ................................... 4 5 5 5 5

$25.00–$29.99 ................................... 4 6 6 5 5

$30.00–$34.99 ................................... 9 9 9 12 9

$35.00–$39.99 ................................... 10 11 10 12 11

$40.00–$44.99 ................................... 9 5 4 8 11

$45.00–$49.99 ................................... 12 12 14 14 12

$50.00–$54.99 ................................... 5 4 1 3 5

$55.00 or more ................................... 11 14 13 8 13

Dollar amount varies ............................. 16 9 12 11 6

By service .......................................... 7 1 1 5 1

By earnings ........................................ 9 8 11 6 5

Average flat dollar amount per year of

service ................................................. $41.65 $42.16 $40.97 $36.66 $42.72

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in

this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
64

Table 49. Defined benefit plans: Maximum benefit provisions, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Maximum benefit provisions All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Subject to maximum years of credited

service ................................................. 20 18 21 25 17 21 24 19 12 24

Less than 30 ...................................... 4 4 4 3 - 6 8 3 1 5

30 ...................................................... 3 3 4 4 3 3 2 4 2 4

31–34 ................................................ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

35 ...................................................... 10 8 12 15 12 9 12 9 6 12

40 ...................................................... 2 2 2 1 1 3 1 3 2 2

Greater than 40 ................................. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Not subject to maximum ........................ 67 67 70 56 73 64 59 69 73 63

Not determinable ................................... 13 15 9 20 10 15 17 12 15 13

Average credited service maximum ...... 33.1 33.0 33.2 33.3 35.3 32.3 31.9 33.6 34.6 32.8

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
65

Table 50. Defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for normal retirement,1 all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Age or service requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

No age requirement ............................... 11 15 7 3 6 13 20 8 8 12

Less than 30 years of service ............ 9 13 4 3 4 11 14 7 5 11

30 years of service ............................ 2 2 3 - 3 2 6 1 3 2

Age 55 ................................................... 1 1 2 2 ( ) 2 1 1 1 2 1

Less than 30 years of service ............ 1 1 1 - 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 1

30 years of service ............................ 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( )

Age 603 ................................................. 9 8 10 16 7 10 8 10 14 7

No service requirement ..................... 2 2 2 1 3 1 - 2 2 1

5 years of service .............................. 6 6 5 12 1 8 5 6 8 5

10 years of service ............................ 1 2 ( ) 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 ( )

Age 623 ................................................. 15 11 23 7 24 11 15 15 21 12

No service requirement ..................... 3 2 5 1 3 3 7 2 1 4

5 years of service .............................. 5 4 8 4 8 4 2 ( ) 7 8 4

10 years of service ............................ 5 4 9 2 ( ) 12 2 6 5 9 3

15 years of service ............................ 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( )

Age 653 ................................................. 59 63 48 74 55 60 47 62 43 67

No service requirement ..................... 25 30 20 15 26 24 20 27 16 30

5 years of service .............................. 30 31 22 56 20 35 28 31 24 33

10 years of service ............................ 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Sum of age plus service4 ...................... 1 1 1 - 2 2 ( ) 1 1 1 1

Equals less than 80 ........................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

Equals 80 .......................................... 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 1 - - 2 ( ) 1 -

Equals more than 80 ......................... 1 1 2 ( ) - 2 2 ( ) 1 1 2 ( ) 1

1 Normal retirement is defined as the point at which the participant could retire

and immediately receive all accrued benefits by virtue of service and earnings,

without reduction due to age. If a plan had alternative age and service

requirements, the earliest age and associated service were tabulated; if one

alternative did not specify an age, it was the requirement tabulated. Some age and

service requirements are not shown separately. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Includes other service requirements not shown separately.

4 In some plans, participants must also satisfy a minimum age or service

requirement. These plans are also included in the totals for specific age and service

requirements.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
66

Table 51. Defined benefit plans: Availability of lump-sum benefits at retirement, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005

Option All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With lump sum available ....................... 52 64 34 57 40 59 49 54 40 59

Full lump sum available ................... 43 53 23 55 26 51 41 43 31 49

Partial lump sum with reduced

annuity ........................................... 9 10 10 2 14 7 7 10 9 9

Other ............................................... 1 1 1 1 1 ( ) 1 1 1 1 1

No lump sum available .......................... 40 30 55 42 47 37 46 39 49 36

Not determinable ................................... 7 6 11 1 14 4 6 8 11 5

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
67

Table 52. Defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for early retirement,1 all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Age or service requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With early retirement available .............. 82 76 89 94 90 79 76 84 87 80

No age requirement ........................... 2 1 4 2 ( ) 4 1 2 ( ) 2 4 1

Less than 30 years of service ........ 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 1

30 years of service ........................ 1 2 ( ) 4 - 4 - - 2 4 2 ( )

Less than age 55 ............................... 11 12 8 15 10 11 7 12 15 9

5 years of service .......................... 4 5 - 12 - 6 1 5 7 2

10 years of service ........................ 4 3 6 1 8 2 3 4 5 3

15 years of service ........................ 1 1 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1

20 years of service ........................ 1 2 - 2 ( ) - 1 2 1 - 1

25 years of service ........................ 1 1 1 1 - 2 1 1 2 2 ( )

Age 55 ............................................... 62 60 64 65 67 59 55 64 56 65

No service requirement3 ................ 4 4 3 4 2 4 8 2 2 ( ) 5

5 years of service .......................... 18 17 19 22 19 18 9 21 18 18

10 years of service ........................ 34 33 34 34 42 29 30 35 35 33

15 years of service ........................ 4 5 2 4 1 5 2 4 2 5

20 years of service ........................ 2 1 4 2 ( ) 1 3 6 1 1 3

25 years of service ........................ 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Age 60 ............................................... 3 1 4 14 3 3 6 2 3 3

5 years of service .......................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 1 2 ( )

10 years of service ........................ 2 2 ( ) 1 12 1 2 5 1 2 ( ) 2

15 years of service ........................ 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( ) - 1 1 2 ( )

Age 62 ............................................... 1 1 3 - 3 2 ( ) 3 1 2 1

Sum of age plus service4 .................. 6 4 9 - 8 4 5 6 8 4

Equals less than 80 ....................... 2 3 2 - 6 2 ( ) 1 3 2 ( ) 3

Equals 80 ...................................... 3 1 7 - 2 4 5 3 8 1

Early retirement not available ................ 12 18 5 4 3 16 14 11 7 15

Not determinable ................................... 6 6 6 3 7 5 10 5 6 6

1 Early retirement is defined as the point at which a worker could retire and

immediately receive accrued benefits based on service and earnings, but reduced

for each year prior to normal retirement age. If a plan had alternative age and

service requirements, the earliest age and associated service were tabulated; if one

alternative did not specify an age, it was the requirement tabulated. Many age and

service requirements are not shown separately. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Where no service requirement is specified for early retirement, the service

required for full vesting, usually 5 years, applies. 4 In some plans, participants must also satisfy a minimum age or service

requirement. These plans are also included in the totals for specific age and service

requirements.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
68

Table 53. Defined benefit plans: Early retirement reductions,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Early retirement reduction All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Uniform percentage of reduction2 ......... 32 28 38 26 46 24 35 31 37 29

Reduction varies by age3 or service ...... 46 47 41 65 33 54 49 45 50 44

Actuarial reduction4 ............................... 13 14 16 2 14 13 10 14 11 15

Other reduction5 .................................... 6 ( ) 1 6 ( ) - 6 ( ) 1 2 6 ( ) 6 ( ) 1

Not determinable ................................... 8 10 5 7 7 8 4 9 2 11

1 Reduction for each year prior to normal retirement. 2 In specific cases, uniform percentage reductions may approximate actuarial

reductions, such as early retirement at age 55 with a reduction of 6 percent per year

between age 55 and the plan’s normal retirement age of 62. 3 The rate of reduction is held constant within age brackets, but differs among

brackets, sometimes in approximation of an actuarial table. For example, benefits

may be reduced by 6 percent for each year between age 60 and the plan’s normal

retirement age, and by 3 percent for each year retirement precedes age 60. Also

includes some plans that reduce benefits arithmetically for each year immediately

below normal retirement age and actuarially below a specified age, usually 55.

4 The amount of the normal retirement benefit is reduced based on actuarial

assumptions, so that on average, the beneficiary receives the same total lifetime

benefit regardless of retirement age. 5 Reduced amount was not derived from normal retirement formula. 6 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 54. Defined benefit plans: Initiation of disability retirement benefits, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With disability retirement available ........ 76 69 85 82 90 69 73 77 88 69

Benefits begin:

Immediately1 ................................. 40 30 57 28 55 32 34 41 55 32

Deferred ........................................ 33 37 25 41 31 34 30 34 30 35

Not determinable ........................... 3 1 3 13 4 3 8 1 2 3

Disability coverage not available ........... 14 17 9 10 4 18 18 12 7 17

Not determinable ................................... 11 14 6 8 7 13 9 11 4 14

1 Immediate disability pensions may be supplemented by additional allowances

until an employee reaches a specified age or becomes eligible for Social Security.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
69

Table 55. Defined benefit plans: Postretirement survivor benefits, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Survivor benefit All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With postretirement survivor benefits .... 98 99 100 87 100 97 99 98 97 99

Joint-and-survivor annuity1 ................ 95 97 94 87 92 97 94 95 91 98

50 percent only .............................. 23 18 27 36 18 26 27 22 28 20

51–99 percent only ........................ 3 2 5 2 7 2 5 3 7 2

100 percent only ............................ 2 4 1 2 ( ) 1 3 4 2 2 ( ) 3

Retiree choice of percentages ....... 65 71 60 48 64 65 55 68 54 70

Not determinable ........................... 2 2 1 2 ( ) 2 2 3 1 2 2

Percent of accrued benefit ................ 3 2 6 1 8 1 4 3 6 1

No postretirement survivor benefits ....... 2 1 2 ( ) 13 - 3 1 2 3 1

1 An annuity that provides income during the lifetime of both the retiree and the

surviving spouse. The accrued pension will usually be actuarially reduced at

retirement because of the longer time that payments are expected to be made. 

Employees and their spouses are required to waive the spouse annuity in writing if

they desire either a pension during the employee’s lifetime only or another option

offered by the plan, such as guarantee of payment for a specified period.

2 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 56. Defined benefit plans: Preretirement survivor benefits, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Survivor benefit All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With preretirement survivor benefits1 .... 95 94 98 98 99 94 94 96 97 95

Equivalent to joint-and-survivor

annuity2 ............................................ 76 70 85 69 83 72 70 77 82 72

50 percent of employee’s pension 55 48 64 61 61 52 49 57 63 51

Other percent of employee’s

pension3 ....................................... 6 6 8 4 9 5 10 5 7 6

Employee choice of percent .......... 12 15 9 2 10 13 7 13 10 13

Percent of accrued benefit ................ 18 21 10 27 13 20 21 17 13 20

Other4 ................................................ 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2

No preretirement survivor benefits ........ 1 1 5 ( ) - 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1 5 ( ) 1

Not determinable ................................... 4 5 2 2 1 5 6 3 3 4

1 Survivor annuity is based upon the benefit the employee would have received

if retirement had occurred on the date of death. 2 The spouse annuity is computed as if the employee had retired with a

joint-and-survivor annuity. That is, the accrued pension is first reduced because of

the longer time that payments were expected to be made to both the retiree and the

surviving spouse. The spouse’s share is then the specified percentage of the

reduced amount. 3 Other percentages range from 51 percent to 100 percent of the retiree’s

pension. 4 Includes annuity based on a dollar amount formula or a percentage of

earnings. 5 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
70

Table 57. Defined benefit plans: Vesting requirements, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Vesting requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Immediate full vesting ............................ 2 1 4 1 5 1 ( ) - 2 4 1

Cliff vesting2 .......................................... 89 91 86 93 85 91 90 89 89 89

Less than 5 years .............................. 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2

5 years ............................................... 84 87 79 90 78 87 79 86 80 87

10 years ............................................. 2 1 4 1 ( ) 4 1 ( ) 2 2 4 1 ( )

Other ................................................. 1 1 ( ) 1 - 2 1 ( ) 2 1 ( ) 1 1

Graded vesting3 .................................... 7 7 8 6 8 7 8 7 6 8

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 2 - 2 1 2 1 1 ( ) 2

1 Less than 0.5 percent. 2 Under a cliff-vesting schedule, an employee is not entitled to any benefits

accrued under a pension plan until satisfying the requirement for 100-percent

vesting. 3 Graded vesting schedules give an employee rights to a gradually increasing

share of pension benefits determined by years of service, eventually reaching

100-percent vesting status.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 58. Defined benefit plans: Provisions for early receipt of deferred vested benefits, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Early retirement provision All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Immediate .............................................. 21 31 9 7 10 26 23 20 10 27

Early retirement ..................................... 58 52 65 68 60 57 49 61 65 55

Reduction same as early retirement .. 43 36 50 62 37 46 29 47 50 40

Reduction not the same as early

retirement ......................................... 12 13 12 2 19 8 16 10 12 12

Not determinable ............................... 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 3

Normal retirement .................................. 11 9 14 8 17 7 7 12 14 9

Not determinable ................................... 10 8 13 18 13 9 22 7 11 10

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
71

Table 59. Traditional defined benefit plans: Selected age and service requirements for early retirement,1 all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Age or service requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With early retirement available .............. 97 97 95 98 95 98 97 97 95 98

No age requirement ........................... 2 1 4 2 ( ) 5 1 2 ( ) 3 4 1

Less than 30 years of service ........ 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 1

30 years of service ........................ 2 2 ( ) 4 - 5 - - 2 4 2 ( )

Less than age 55 ............................... 15 19 9 18 12 16 10 16 17 13

5 years of service .......................... 5 8 - 14 - 9 1 7 8 3

10 years of service ........................ 5 5 6 1 9 2 4 5 5 5

15 years of service ........................ 1 2 2 ( ) - 1 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1

20 years of service ........................ 1 2 - 2 ( ) - 2 2 1 - 2

25 years of service ........................ 1 1 1 2 - 2 2 1 3 1

Age 55 ............................................... 69 73 66 65 69 70 67 70 60 76

No service requirement3 ................ 3 4 1 1 - 4 6 2 2 ( ) 4

5 years of service .......................... 20 20 20 19 21 19 12 22 18 21

10 years of service ........................ 39 41 37 38 44 36 39 39 38 39

15 years of service ........................ 4 6 2 5 1 6 2 5 2 6

20 years of service ........................ 3 2 5 2 ( ) 1 4 8 2 1 4

25 years of service ........................ 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 1 - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

Age 60 ............................................... 4 1 4 16 4 4 8 3 3 4

5 years of service .......................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( ) - 1 1 2 ( )

10 years of service ........................ 2 1 2 15 2 3 7 1 1 4

15 years of service ........................ 1 2 ( ) 1 - 1 2 ( ) - 1 1 2 ( )

Age 62 ............................................... 2 1 3 - 4 1 5 1 2 1

Sum of age plus service4 .................. 7 6 11 - 9 7 7 7 9 7

Equals less than 80 ....................... 3 4 2 - 6 1 1 3 2 ( ) 5

Equals 80 ...................................... 5 2 9 - 2 6 7 4 9 2

Early retirement not available ................ 2 2 2 2 ( ) 2 1 - 2 1 2

Not determinable ................................... 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1

1 Early retirement is defined as the point at which a worker could retire and

immediately receive accrued benefits based on service and earnings, but reduced

for each year prior to normal retirement age. If a plan had alternative age and

service requirements, the earliest age and associated service were tabulated; if one

alternative did not specify an age, it was the requirement tabulated. Many age and

service requirements are not shown separately. 2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 Where no service requirement is specified for early retirement, the service

required for full vesting, usually 5 years, applies. 4 In some plans, participants must also satisfy a minimum age or service

requirement. These plans are also included in the totals for specific age and service

requirements

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
72

Table 60. Traditional defined benefit plans: Early retirement reductions,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Early retirement reduction All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Uniform percentage of reduction2 ......... 34 31 40 28 47 26 37 34 38 32

Reduction varies by age3 or service ...... 47 50 40 63 32 56 50 46 49 45

Actuarial reduction ................................. 13 12 16 1 15 12 10 14 11 14

Other reduction4 .................................... 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) - 5 ( ) 5 ( ) - 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 6 7 4 8 6 6 4 7 2 9

1 Reduction for each year prior to normal retirement. 2 In specific cases, uniform percentage reductions may approximate actuarial

reductions, such as early retirement at age 55 with a reduction of 6 percent per year

between age 55 and the plan’s normal retirement age of 62. 3 The rate of reduction is held constant within age brackets, but differs among

brackets, sometimes in approximation of an actuarial table. For example, benefits

may be reduced by 6 percent for each year between age 60 and the plan’s normal

retirement age, and by 3 percent for each year retirement precedes age 60. Also

includes some plans that reduce benefits arithmetically for each year immediately

below normal retirement age and actuarially below a specified age, usually 55. 4 Reduced amount was not derived from normal retirement formula. 5 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.

Table 61. Traditional defined benefit plans: Provisions for early receipt of deferred vested benefits, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Early retirement provision All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Immediate .............................................. 4 6 1 2 2 5 3 4 1 5

Early retirement ..................................... 73 73 72 74 67 76 65 75 71 74

Reduction same as early retirement .. 54 49 56 67 42 61 38 58 55 53

Reduction not the same as early

retirement ......................................... 15 20 13 2 21 12 22 13 13 17

Not determinable ............................... 4 4 3 5 4 4 4 4 4 4

Normal retirement .................................. 12 11 15 5 19 8 8 13 15 10

Not determinable ................................... 12 10 12 19 12 11 24 8 12 11

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
73

Table 62. Cash balance plans: Employer and interest rate contributions, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Basis of contributions All workers White collar

occupations

Service

producing

industries

Establishment size

Nonunion 1 to 99

workers

100 workers

or more

Employer contribution

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100

Flat percent ........................................... 17 11 11 21 16 14

Percent based on1 ................................. 83 89 89 79 84 86

Social Security wage base .............. 10 10 9 - 14 10

Age ................................................. 58 67 64 57 59 62

Service ............................................ 41 44 43 31 44 45

Earnings .......................................... 14 12 12 9 15 14

Interest rate contribution

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100

U.S. Government securities .................. 57 55 53 52 59 58

Flat percent ........................................... 19 20 22 24 17 16

Schedule of percents ............................. 2 2 2 - 2 1

Other ..................................................... 4 5 5 - 6 4

Not determinable ................................... 18 19 18 24 16 21

Average flat percent .............................. 4.5 4.7 5.1 5.0 4.3 4.3

1 The characteristics listed below are not mutually exclusive. For

example, a plan may be based on age and service.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal

totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this

category or data do not meet publication criteria.
74

Table 63. Defined contribution plans: Participation in types of plans with employer contributions, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics Savings

and thrift

Deferred

profit

sharing

Employee

stock

ownership

Money

purchase

pension

Stock

bonus

Simplified

employee

pension

Savings

incentive

match

plan

Salary

reduction with

employer

contributions,

401 (k) plan

All workers ............................................. 65 30 4 16 1 ( ) 1 3 92

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 68 30 4 16 1 ( ) 1 3 96

Blue collar .............................................. 62 33 5 12 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 4 86

Service .................................................. 53 25 3 29 - 2 2 87

Full time ................................................. 66 29 4 16 1 ( ) 1 3 93

Part time ................................................ 54 38 3 22 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 3 88

Union ..................................................... 51 23 3 37 - - - 75

Nonunion ............................................... 66 31 4 14 1 ( ) 1 4 94

Average wage less than $15 per hour ... 59 36 5 14 1 ( ) 1 4 89

Average wage $15 per hour or higher ... 69 26 3 18 1 ( ) 1 2 94

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 64 31 4 15 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 3 92

Service producing .................................. 65 30 4 17 1 ( ) 1 3 92

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 60 33 5 11 - 2 8 89

100 workers or more ............................. 68 28 3 20 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 94

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.

Table 64. Savings and thrift plans: Summary of provisions, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Provision All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Automatic enrollment feature ................ 6 6 10 2 10 5 4 7 3 7

Pretax contributions allowed ................. 99 99 99 98 99 99 100 99 98 99

Transfer/rollover contributions allowed .. 80 81 75 86 78 80 81 79 73 80

Employee choice of investments for

employee contributions ........................ 91 91 92 91 89 92 91 92 97 91

Employee choice of investments for

employer contributions ......................... 76 75 77 84 72 78 71 79 82 76

Immediate full vesting ............................ 22 24 20 20 17 24 16 26 29 22

NOTE: Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
75

Table 65. Savings and thrift plans: Plan sponsor, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Characteristics Total Single employer Multiemployer

group1

Employer

association2

All workers ............................................. 100 99 1 3 ( )

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 100 100 3 ( ) 3 ( )

Blue collar .............................................. 100 98 2 -

Service .................................................. 100 100 3 ( ) -

Union ..................................................... 100 93 7 -

Nonunion ............................................... 100 100 3 ( ) 3 ( )

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 100 98 2 -

Service producing .................................. 100 99 3 ( ) 3 ( )

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 100 99 1 3 ( )

100 workers or more ............................. 100 99 1 -

1 Plans established by a labor organization and provided

to employees of two or more unrelated companies in

accordance with a collective bargaining agreement. 2 Plans provided by a group of employers that banded

together to provide benefits. 3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may

not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no

employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.

Table 66. Savings and thrift plans: Transfer and rollover provisions,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Rollover availability All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Transfers/rollovers allowed ................... 80 81 75 86 78 80 81 79 73 80

Transfers/rollovers not allowed ............. 3 2 3 4 1 3 3 3 2 3

Not determinable ................................... 18 17 22 10 21 16 16 18 26 17

1 Participants are allowed to transfer/rollover contributions and earnings from a

previous employer’s plan.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
76

Table 67. Savings and thrift plans: Maximum employee contributions,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Maximum employee

contribution

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion

Average

wage

less

than $15

per hour

Average

wage

$15 per

hour or

higher

White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Percentage of employee

earnings ........................... 53 51 56 55 54 52 52 53 59 52 54 52

Less than 10 percent ..... 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1

10 percent ...................... 1 1 2 2 ( ) 2 1 2 ( ) 2 2 1 2 1

12 percent ...................... 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 - 2 2 2

13-14 percent ................. 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 - 1 1 1 2 2 ( )

15 percent ...................... 15 14 16 24 14 15 22 11 7 16 16 14

16 percent ...................... 7 7 8 1 10 5 4 8 19 6 3 9

17 percent ...................... 1 2 ( ) 2 1 3 2 ( ) - 2 2 ( ) 1 1 1

18 percent ...................... 2 2 1 9 1 3 2 ( ) 4 3 2 3 2

19 percent ...................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

20 percent ...................... 10 9 13 13 13 9 8 11 11 10 11 9

21 percent ...................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( )

25 percent ...................... 13 15 9 5 7 15 14 12 16 13 14 12

Specified dollar amount ..... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

Up to Internal Revenue

Code limit ......................... 46 47 44 39 46 45 48 44 40 46 42 47

Not determinable ............... 2 2 2 ( ) 6 2 ( ) 2 2 ( ) 3 2 ( ) 2 3 1

Average3 maximum

contribution (percent of

earnings) .......................... 18.4 18.8 17.8 17.6 17.5 18.7 18.3 18.4 18.9 18.3 18.6 18.3

1 Includes contributions that are not matched by the employer. If maximum

contributions vary, such as by length of service, the highest possible contribution

was tabulated.

2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 The average is presented for all covered workers; averages exclude workers

without the plan provision.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
77

Table 68. Savings and thrift plans: Method of determining employee pretax contribution, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Method of pretax contribution All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Pretax contributions allowed ................. 99 99 99 98 99 99 100 99 98 99

All contributions must be pretax ........ 56 56 51 75 53 58 57 56 43 58

At option of employee, all

contributions .................................... 42 41 47 23 45 40 41 42 53 41

At option of employee, up to

specified amount .............................. 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 1 1

Initial contributions must be pretax;

additional contributions cannot be

pretax ............................................... 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) - - 1 1 1 ( ) 2 1 ( )

Pretax allowed, options unknown ...... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - 1 ( )

No pretax contributions allowed ............ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Not determinable ................................... 1 1 ( ) 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 2 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
78

Table 69. Savings and thrift plans: Maximum pretax employee contributions,1 all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey,

2005

Maximum pretax contribution All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Percent of employee earnings ............... 55 53 56 62 54 55 53 56 61 54

Less than 10 percent ......................... 1 1 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1

10 percent ......................................... 1 1 2 2 ( ) 2 1 2 ( ) 2 2 1

12 percent ......................................... 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 ( ) - 2

13–14 percent ................................... 1 1 1 2 ( ) 1 1 - 1 1 1

15 percent ......................................... 15 14 16 25 14 16 22 11 7 16

16 percent ......................................... 7 7 8 1 10 5 4 8 19 6

17 percent ......................................... 1 2 ( ) 2 1 2 2 ( ) - 1 2 ( ) 1

18 percent ......................................... 2 2 1 9 1 3 2 ( ) 4 3 2

19 percent ......................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( )

20 percent ......................................... 10 9 13 13 13 9 9 11 13 10

21 percent ......................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 2 ( )

25 percent ......................................... 13 15 9 5 7 15 14 12 16 12

Amount not determinable .................. 2 2 2 ( ) 6 2 ( ) 2 2 ( ) 3 2 ( ) 2

Specified dollar amount ......................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( )

Up to Internal Revenue Code limit ........ 45 46 43 38 46 45 47 44 39 46

Option unknown .................................... 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - 2 ( ) 2 ( ) - - 2 ( )

Average3 maximum pretax contribution

(percent of earnings) ............................ 18.3 18.6 17.8 17.6 17.5 18.6 18.3 18.3 19.0 18.2

1 Includes contributions that are not matched by the employer. If maximum

contributions vary, such as by length of service, the highest possible contribution

was tabulated.

2 Less than 0.5 percent. 3 The average is presented for all covered workers; averages exclude workers

without the plan provision.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
79

Table 70. Savings and thrift plans: Method of employer matching contributions, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics Total Specified

matching

percent1

Varies by

service

Varies by

amount of

contribution

Varies by

profit level Other Notdeterminable

All workers ............................................. 100 67 3 17 2 8 3

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 100 69 3 16 2 8 2

Blue collar .............................................. 100 63 2 18 2 10 4

Service .................................................. 100 69 4 20 - 6 1

Union ..................................................... 100 67 8 14 4 5 2 ( )

Nonunion ............................................... 100 67 2 17 1 9 3

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 100 62 1 18 4 10 4

Service producing .................................. 100 69 3 17 1 8 2

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 100 70 1 19 2 ( ) 6 4

100 workers or more ............................. 100 66 4 16 2 9 2

1 Plans in which the employer matches a specified percentage of

employee contributions. For example, the employer matches 50

percent of employee earnings up to 6 percent. 2 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal

totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category

or data do not meet publication criteria.
80

Table 71. Savings and thrift plans: Employee contributions by employer specified matching percentage, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005

Specified matching percentage

and employee contribution

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ......................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Less than 2 percent ............ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

2 percent ............................ 4 4 5 8 5 4 2 6 1 5

3 percent ............................ 14 15 8 24 6 17 21 10 8 15

4 percent ............................ 16 17 14 10 17 16 14 17 7 17

5 percent ............................ 13 14 8 19 9 14 11 14 13 13

6 percent ............................ 41 38 50 35 47 39 39 42 62 39

Greater than 6 percent ....... 10 9 13 3 14 8 13 8 9 10

1–49 percent employer match

 Total employee contribution ... 14 13 19 9 19 13 21 10 10 14

Less than 2 percent ............ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

2 percent ............................ 1 1 ( ) 3 - 3 - 1 1 1 1

3 percent ............................ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

4 percent ............................ 4 4 5 1 4 4 7 2 2 4

5 percent ............................ 1 1 1 ( ) 2 2 1 2 1 ( ) - 1

6 percent ............................ 4 3 8 4 8 3 4 5 7 4

Greater than 6 percent ....... 4 4 3 1 ( ) 2 4 7 1 1 4

50 percent employer match

 Total employee contribution ... 39 35 43 55 54 34 29 45 47 38

2 percent ............................ 1 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 1 - 1 - 1

3 percent ............................ 3 3 2 9 2 3 4 2 1 ( ) 3

4 percent ............................ 6 6 6 5 7 6 1 9 4 6

5 percent ............................ 4 4 3 14 2 5 2 6 12 4

6 percent ............................ 22 20 27 27 34 18 18 24 29 21

Greater than 6 percent ....... 2 2 4 1 6 1 3 2 2 2

51–99 percent employer match

 Total employee contribution ... 9 9 11 2 7 10 8 9 27 7

3 percent ............................ 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1 3 1

4 percent ............................ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

5 percent ............................ 1 1 1 - - 1 1 1 ( ) - 1

6 percent ............................ 6 6 7 1 ( ) 1 7 7 5 24 4

Greater than 6 percent ....... 1 1 2 - 3 1 ( ) - 2 1 ( ) 1

100 percent employer match

 Total employee contribution ... 36 41 25 34 20 41 42 33 15 38

Less than 2 percent ............ 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

2 percent ............................ 3 3 1 ( ) 7 1 4 1 4 - 3

3 percent ............................ 10 11 5 14 2 13 16 6 5 11

4 percent ............................ 6 7 3 3 6 5 5 6 1 6

5 percent ............................ 7 8 4 3 4 7 7 7 1 7

6 percent ............................ 8 8 8 4 4 9 9 7 2 9

Greater than 6 percent ....... 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 6 2

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
81

Table 72. Savings and thrift plans: Investment choices, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Investment choice All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Employee contributions

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Total with investment choice allowed1 .. 91 91 92 91 89 92 91 92 97 91

Company stock .................................. 25 26 24 21 22 26 19 29 42 24

Other common stock fund ................. 43 43 43 48 33 47 37 47 55 42

Fixed interest securities or

investments ...................................... 46 46 46 50 37 50 39 51 61 45

Diversified investments ..................... 46 45 50 49 42 48 38 51 63 45

Other2 ................................................ 13 14 8 16 5 15 10 14 13 13

Not determinable ............................... 4 4 4 2 5 4 4 4 6 4

No choice of investment ........................ 1 1 3 ( ) 3 3 ( ) 2 1 1 - 1

Not determinable ................................... 7 7 8 7 11 6 8 7 3 8

Employer contributions

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Total with investment choice allowed1 .. 76 75 77 84 72 78 71 79 82 76

Company stock .................................. 19 19 18 19 16 20 14 22 31 18

Other common stock fund ................. 37 36 37 47 26 41 30 41 47 36

Fixed interest securities or

investments ...................................... 39 37 40 48 29 42 31 43 50 38

Diversified investments ..................... 40 38 42 47 33 42 33 44 52 39

Other2 ................................................ 10 11 7 15 5 12 8 12 9 10

Not determinable ............................... 2 2 3 1 4 2 1 3 6 2

No choice of investment ........................ 9 11 6 7 5 11 11 8 9 9

Not determinable ................................... 15 14 17 9 23 12 18 13 9 15

1 Sums of individual items exceed totals because multiple choices are available

to many employees. 2 Includes purchase of U.S. Government securities, life insurance, annuities,

real estate, mortgage, and deposits in credit unions or savings accounts. 3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where

applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet

publication criteria.
82

Table 73. Savings and thrift plans: Eligibility requirements, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Eligibility requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With minimum age or service

requirement .......................................... 78 76 82 79 76 79 86 74 73 79

Service requirement only ................... 32 33 32 25 34 31 25 36 34 32

3 months or less ............................ 9 9 8 11 12 8 3 12 10 9

6 months ........................................ 5 4 6 8 5 5 3 5 1 5

1 year ............................................ 18 19 18 6 17 18 18 17 24 17

Greater than 1 year ....................... 1 1 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 - 1 1 ( ) 1

Age 21 ............................................... 37 35 37 50 26 41 50 29 29 37

No service requirement ................. 3 4 1 7 1 4 6 2 3 3

1–11 months .................................. 6 6 6 13 5 7 6 7 3 7

1 year ............................................ 27 25 31 29 19 29 38 20 23 27

Greater than 1 year ....................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Other than age 21 ............................. 9 8 13 5 16 7 10 9 10 9

No service requirement ................. 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 3 6 2

1–11 months .................................. 4 3 6 1 5 3 5 3 2 4

1 year ............................................ 3 3 6 3 8 2 4 3 1 4

No minimum age or service

requirement .......................................... 15 17 10 7 16 14 8 18 19 14

Not determinable ................................... 7 7 7 14 8 7 6 8 8 7

Average service requirement (in

months) ................................................ 9.3 9.4 9.5 8.2 8.7 9.6 10.2 8.8 9.8 9.3

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
83

Table 74. Savings and thrift plans: Automatic enrollment requirements, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Automatic enrollment

requirement

All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1 to 99

workers

100

workers or

more

Total ...................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Required ................................ 6 6 10 2 10 5 4 7 3 7

Default method based on

percentage ....................... 6 5 9 2 9 5 4 7 3 6

Less than 2.00 ............... 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 ( ) 1 - 1

2.00–2.99 ...................... 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 2

3.00–3.99 ...................... 2 2 3 1 ( ) 5 1 1 3 1 ( ) 2

4.00 or greater ............... 1 1 2 1 ( ) 2 1 2 1 1 ( ) 1

Method not determinable .. 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1 1 ( ) - 1 1 ( ) 1 ( )

Not required .......................... 90 91 86 97 87 92 93 89 94 90

Not determinable ................... 3 3 4 1 3 3 3 3 3 3

Average percentage .............. 2.6 2.5 2.8 2.5 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.4 2.3 2.6

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.

Table 75. Savings and thrift plans: Vesting provisions, all private industry workers, National Compensation

Survey, 2005

Characteristics Total Immediate

full vesting Cliff vesting1 Gradedvesting2

Not

determinable

All workers ............................................. 100 22 22 47 8

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 100 24 23 45 8

Blue collar .............................................. 100 20 21 50 8

Service .................................................. 100 20 23 50 7

Union ..................................................... 100 29 29 34 8

Nonunion ............................................... 100 22 22 48 8

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 100 17 20 52 10

Service producing .................................. 100 24 23 45 7

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 100 16 20 57 8

100 workers or more ............................. 100 26 24 41 8

1 Under cliff vesting, an employee is not entitled to any

benefits until satisfying requirements for 100 percent vesting. 2 Under graded vesting, an employee’s rights to benefits

increase with length of service, eventually reaching 100

percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not

equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in

this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
84

Table 76. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Employer contribution, all private industry workers,

National Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics Total Based on

stated formula

No stated

formula

Not

determinable

All workers ............................................. 100 64 34 2

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 100 60 38 2

Blue collar .............................................. 100 68 30 2

Service .................................................. 100 79 20 1 ( )

Union ..................................................... 100 65 35 -

Nonunion ............................................... 100 64 34 2

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 100 67 33 -

Service producing .................................. 100 63 35 3

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 100 66 32 3

100 workers or more ............................. 100 62 36 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no

employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.

Table 77. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Allocation of employer contributions to individual

employee accounts, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics Total Proportional

to earnings

Other

allocation

formula1

Not

determinable

All workers ............................................. 100 62 12 9

Worker characteristics

White collar ............................................ 100 63 13 7

Blue collar .............................................. 100 59 11 12

Service .................................................. 100 71 1 10

Union ..................................................... 100 50 43 1

Nonunion ............................................... 100 64 9 10

Establishment characteristics

Goods producing ................................... 100 55 12 15

Service producing .................................. 100 65 11 7

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 100 50 17 12

100 workers or more ............................. 100 72 8 7

1 Includes other allocation formulas such as plans

based on employee contributions, employee earnings

and service, or shares distributed equally.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items

may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash

indicates no employees in this category or data do not

meet publication criteria.
85

Table 78. Deferred profit-sharing plans: Eligibility requirements, all private industry workers, National Compensation Survey, 2005

Eligibility requirement All

workers

Occupational group Industry Establishment size

Union Nonunion White

collar

Blue

collar Service Goodsproducing

Service

producing

1-99

workers

100

workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

With minimum age or service

requirement .......................................... 75 70 81 91 76 75 80 72 60 77

Service requirement only ................... 21 20 26 7 30 17 12 28 24 21

3 months or less ............................ 5 5 5 2 8 3 2 7 - 5

4–5 months .................................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

6 months ........................................ 4 3 5 2 6 3 4 4 11 3

1 year ............................................ 12 12 16 3 17 11 7 17 13 12

Greater than 1 year ....................... 1 ( ) 1 ( ) - - - 1 ( ) - 1 ( ) - 1 ( )

Age 21 ............................................... 43 38 43 77 31 47 54 34 31 44

No service requirement ................. 2 2 - 12 - 3 3 2 - 3

1–11 months .................................. 9 11 6 3 5 10 4 13 20 8

1 year ............................................ 31 24 37 62 26 33 47 20 12 33

Other than age 21 ............................. 12 12 12 7 15 11 14 10 5 12

No service requirement ................. 2 2 - - - 2 - 3 - 2

1–11 months .................................. 6 5 9 2 11 4 9 4 4 6

1 year ............................................ 4 4 3 4 4 4 5 3 1 ( ) 4

No minimum age or service

requirement .......................................... 6 3 12 1 15 2 3 8 39 3

Not determinable ................................... 19 26 7 9 9 23 17 20 2 21

Average service requirement (in

months) ................................................ 9.2 8.7 9.5 11.1 8.8 9.4 10.0 8.5 6.7 9.4

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this category or data do not meet publication

criteria.
86

Table 79. Money purchase pension plans: Employer contributions, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Employer contribution All workers

Whitecollar

occupations

Serviceproducing

industries

Establishment size

Nonunion 1 to 99

workers

100 workers

or more

Total ...................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100

Fixed percentage of earnings ................ 66 74 74 57 69 74

Less than 3 percent ........................... 13 14 10 17 12 15

3.00–5.99 .......................................... 28 29 31 19 31 34

6.00–8.99 .......................................... 16 21 21 2 20 15

9.00–11.99 ........................................ 3 5 5 5 3 3

12.00 percent or greater .................... 6 6 8 13 3 6

Percentage varies by earnings .............. 4 3 5 4 4 3

Dollar amount per hour worked ............. 9 2 2 21 5 4

Other1 .................................................... 17 20 18 10 19 19

Not determinable ................................... 4 1 1 8 3 1

1 Includes other plans where the percentage of employer

contributions varies by age, service, or a combination of age and

service.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal

totals. Where applicable, dash indicates no employees in this

category or data do not meet publication criteria.
87

The National Compensation Survey (NCS) healthcare 

and retirement series provides information on detailed 

provisions of medical care, prescription drug, dental, 

vision, defined benefit, and defined contribution plans. The 

portion of the NCS sample from which estimates on employee benefits are made covers all private sector establishments 

in the United States, with the exception of farms and private 

households.

Scope of survey

The 2005 NCS data on provisions of healthcare and retirement plans were obtained from 3,227 private industry establishments representing approximately 102 million workers; 

of this number, over 79 million were full-time workers, and 

the remainder—approximately 23 million—were part-time 

workers. The NCS uses the establishment’s definitions of 

full- and part-time status. For purposes of this survey, an 

establishment is an economic unit that produces goods or 

services, a central administrative office, or an auxiliary unit 

providing support services to a company. The establishment 

is usually at a single physical location. 

Industry groups

Detailed industries are classified into two broad groups:

Goods producing. These industries include mining, construction, and manufacturing.

Service producing. These industries include transportation, 

communications, and public utilities; wholesale trade; retail 

trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and other service 

industries.

Occupational groups

Narrowly defined occupations selected for study are classified 

into one of the following three broad occupational groups.

White collar. This group includes professional, technical, executive, administrative, managerial, and related occupations; 

1 Many of the Bureau of Labor Statistics data series have transitioned to 

the new industrial classification, the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS). To produce the data under the benefits provisions series, 

establishments are still classified under the Standard Industrial Classification 

system (SIC). The transition is planned for 2008.

2 Many of the Bureau of Labor Statistics data series have transitioned 

to the new occupational classification system, the Standard Occupational 

Classification (SOC). To produce the data under the benefits provisions 

series, workers are still classified under the Occupational Classification 

System (OCS). The transition is planned for 2008.

clerical and administrative support occupations; and sales occupations.

Blue collar. This group includes precision production, craft, 

and repair occupations; machine operators and inspectors; 

transportation and moving occupations; and handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers.

Service occupations. Included in this group are protective 

service, food service, health service, cleaning and building 

service, personal service occupations. 

Excluded from the survey are self-employed persons, proprietors, major stockholders, members of a corporate board 

who are not otherwise officers of the corporation, volunteers, 

unpaid workers, family members who are paid token wages, 

the permanently disabled, and partners in unincorporated 

firms.

Definition of terms

Full-time worker. A full-time worker is any employee that the 

employer considers to be full time.

Part-time worker. A part-time worker is any employee that 

the employer considers to be part time.

Union worker. An employee is a union worker if all of the 

following conditions apply to his or her occupation:

• A labor organization is recognized as the bargaining 

agent for all workers in the occupation.

• Wage-and-salary rates are determined through collective bargaining or negotiations. 

• Settlement terms, which must include earnings provisions and may include benefit provisions, are embodied in a signed, mutually binding collective bargaining 

agreement.

Nonunion worker. An employee in an occupation not meeting 

the conditions for union coverage is considered a nonunion 

worker. 

Calculation details

Averages for occupations within an establishment were used 

to produce estimates for worker groups averaging hourly pay 

Appendix A. Technical Note
88

below $15 and for those averaging $15 and above. Individual 

workers can fall into an earnings category different from the 

average for an occupation and establishment into which they 

are classified.

The calculations are not based on actual decisions regarding coverage made by employees within the occu-pations. 

For example, in an occupation in which five single employees and five married employees are participating in a medical 

plan, the calculations for this table use all 10 employees in 

both single and family-coverage computations; the calculations are not based on the assumption that the five single 

employees have single coverage or that the five married employees have family cov-erage. Rather, the deductible calculations are based on the assumption that all 10 employees 

have identical coverage.

Benefit areas

BLS requests that, for sampled occupations, establishments 

provide data on the incidence (defined as the rate of access 

to or participation in) and selected details of each of the following benefit areas: Paid leave; short- and long-term disability benefits; medical, dental, and vision care; prescription 

drug coverage; life insurance; defined benefit pensions; and 

defined contribution plans. Data also are collected on the incidence of certain other benefits, such as travel accident insurance, nonproduction cash bonuses, child care, adoption 

assistance, long-term-care insurance, flexible workplaces, 

wellness programs, fitness centers, job-related and non-jobrelated educational assistance, and subsidized commuting. 

Data on incidence and key provisions (such as medical plan 

premiums for example) are published separately from data 

on detailed provisions included in this publication. The latest 

release of incidence and key provisions data can be found at 

http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ebs/sp/ebsm0004.pdf 

BLS field economists also ask respondents to provide Summary Plan Provision documents for defined benefit pensions; 

defined contribution plans; and medical, prescription drug, 

dental, and vision care plans. BLS analyzes these plans in 

Washington to garner the required data on plan provisions. 

The data in this publication provide the results of this analysis.

Sample design and data collection

The sample for this survey was selected on the basis of a 

3-stage design. The first stage involved the selection of areas. The NCS sample consists of 152 metropolitan areas and 

nonmetropolitan areas that represent the Nation’s 326 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget) and the remaining portions of the 50 

States. Metropolitan areas are either Metropolitan Statistical 

Areas (MSAs) or Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas (CMSAs), as defined by the Office of Management and 

Budget in 1994. Nonmetropolitan areas are counties that do 

not fit the metropolitan area definitions.

In the second stage, the sample of establishments was 

drawn from a sampling frame composed of State Unemployment Insurance reports within sampled areas. Each sampling 

frame is stratified by sampling cell. A sampling cell consists 

of an area or a group of areas by industry. Each sampled 

establishment was selected within a sampling cell with a 

probability proportional to its employment. This technique 

allows larger establishments to have a greater chance of 

being selected for the sample. Weights were applied to each 

establishment when the data were tabulated so that each establishment represents units in the economy similar to those 

not selected for collection.

The third stage of sample selection was a probability 

sample of occupations within a sampled establishment. Identifying the occupations for which data were to be collected 

involved a 4-step process:

1. Probability-proportional-to-size selection of establishment jobs.

2. Classification of jobs into occupations based on the 

Census of Population system.

3. Characterization of jobs as full time versus part time, 

union versus nonunion, and time versus incentive.

4. Determination of the level of work of each job.

BLS field economists visit sampled establishments or contact them by telephone to collect data for the survey. To reduce the reporting burden, field economists ask respondents 

to provide Summary Plan Provision documents for health 

and retirement plans.

Data calculation

Tabulations in this bulletin show the percentage of all employees who receive specified benefits, as well as information on the provisions of many of these benefits. To present 

provision data, tabulations generally indicate the percentage 

of all employees receiving a benefit (participants) who are 

covered by specified features. For example, a tabulation may 

show the percentage of workers with medical care benefits 

who participate in a prepaid plan.

The majority of tables in the bulletin exhibit the percentage of all employees who have access to or are participating 

in a particular benefit plan, or the percentage covered by a 

specific provision. In addition, average benefit provisions, 

such as the average annual deductible in healthcare plans, are 

presented. In some cases, tabulations indicate both the percentage of employees with a given provision and the average 

value of that provision. For example, in table 8, total represents the number of workers participating in indemnity plans 

with overall limits and the percentage of workers who must 

pay selected deductibles (such as $200, $250, and $300 per 

year), as well as the average deductible. All tabulations of 

averages include only those employees actually covered by 

the provision being averaged.
89

Survey estimation methods

The survey design uses an estimator that assigns the inverse 

of each sample unit’s probability of selection as a weight to 

the unit’s data at each stage of sample selection stage and 

four weight adjustment factors. The first factor adjusts for 

establishment nonresponse and the second factor adjusts for 

occupational nonresponse. The third factor adjusts for any 

special situations that may have occurred during data collection. The fourth factor, poststratification, also called benchmarking, is introduced to adjust the estimated employment 

totals to actual counts of employment by industry for the survey reference date.

The general form of the estimator for a population total 

Y is 

where

n = number of responding sample establishments;

oi = occupation sample size selected from the ith estab-

 lishment;

Yij = value for the characteristics of the jth selected

 occupation in the ith selected establishment;

Pi = probability of including the ith establishment in

 the sample;

Pij = probability of including the jth occupation in the

 sample of occupations from the ith establishment;

f1i = weight adjustment factor for nonresponse for the

 ith establishment;

fij = weight adjustment factor for nonresponse for the

 jth occupation in the ith establishment;

f2i = weight adjustment factor for any special situation

that may have occurred for the ith establishment;

f3i = weight adjustment factor for poststratification totals

for the ith establishment.

Appropriate employment or establishment totals are used 

to calculate the proportion, mean, or percentage that is desired.

Reliability of estimates

The statistics in this bulletin are estimates derived from a

sample of usable occupation quotes selected from the responding establishments. They are not tabulations based on 

data from all employees in private establishments within the 

scope of the survey. Consequently, the data are subject to 

sampling and nonsampling errors.

Sampling errors are the differences that can arise between 

results derived from a sample and those computed from observations of all units in the population being studied. When 

probability techniques are used to select a sample, statistical 

measures called “standard errors” can be calculated to measure possible sampling errors. No estimates of sampling error 

were calculated for this survey. 

Nonsampling errors also affect survey results. They can be 

attributed to many sources: Inability to obtain information 

about all establishments in the sample; definitional difficulties; differences in the interpretation of questions; inability 

or unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information; mistakes in recording or coding data; and other errors 

of collection, response, processing, coverage, and estimation 

for missing data.

Computer edits of the data and professional review of both 

individual and summarized data reduce the non-sampling errors in recording, coding, and processing the data. However, 

to the extent that the characteristics of non-respondents are 

not the same as those of respondents, non-sampling errors are 

introduced in the development of estimates.

1 2 3 1 n Oi

ij ij i i

i I i j I ij

f f f Y f Y = p P =

= ∑ ∑
90

Table A-1. Number of establishments and occupational observations studied and estimated

number of workers within the scope of the survey, all private industry workers, National

Compensation Survey, 2005

Characteristics

Number of

establishments

studied

Number of

occupational

observations

Estimated number

of workers1

Total ...................................................... 3,227 18,198 102,279,083

Worker characteristics

White-collar occupations ....................... – 11,084 53,034,822

Blue-collar occupations ......................... – 4,916 29,128,201

Service occupations .............................. – 2,198 20,116,060

Full time ................................................. – 15,252 79,062,096

Part time ................................................ – 2,946 23,216,987

Union ..................................................... – 2,431 10,746,652

Nonion ................................................... – 15,767 91,532,431

Average wage less than $15 per hour ... – 8,258 57,878,625

Average wage $15 per hour or more ..... – 9,940 44,400,458

Establishment characteristics

Goods-producing industries .................. 727 4,225 22,161,097

Service-producing industries ................. 2,500 13,973 80,117,986

1 to 99 workers ...................................... 1,298 5,346 54,710,143

100 workers or more ............................. 1,929 12,852 47,568,940

Geographic areas

Metropolitan areas ................................. 2,588 14,803 84,800,962

Nonmetropolitan areas .......................... 639 3,395 17,478,122

New England ......................................... 208 1,224 5,666,839

Middle Atlantic ....................................... 460 2,627 15,163,552

East North Central ................................. 621 3,586 17,660,154

West North Central ................................ 267 1,442 7,316,857

South Atlantic ........................................ 533 2,988 17,647,108

East South Central ................................ 189 1,077 6,473,871

West South Central ............................... 348 1,952 11,734,711

Mountain ................................................ 222 1,244 6,985,154

Pacific .................................................... 379 2,058 13,630,836

1 Employment estimates are not as precise as

those developed from other BLS surveys with larger

samples and designed specifically for employment

estimates. The employment estimates in this table are

presented only to indicate the approximate size of

various classifications to the whole private economy.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items

may not equal totals. Dashes indicate data not

available since establishment counts are not estimated

for worker characteristics.
91

Data for the 2005 National Compensation Survey benefits series were collected from June 2004 to December 2005, reflecting an average reference period of 

2005. Respondents were asked for the most current information as of the time of data collection. 

The following summary is a composite of establishment 

responses to the survey:

Establishments Number

In sample 4,473

Out of business or out of scope 529

Unable or unwilling to respond 717

Responding fully or partially 3,227

The responding establishments yielded 18,198 occupational observations (quotes) for which data were collected. 

For establishments unable or unwilling to provide the minimum amount of usable data, a weight adjustment is made on 

the basis of the sample unit employment. This technique assumes that the mean value of the nonrespondents equals the 

mean value of the respondents at some “detailed” cell level. 

These cells are defined in a manner that groups together establishments that are homogeneous with respect to the characteristics of interest. In most cases, the cells are the same as 

those used for sample selection.

For establishments unable or unwilling to provide data for 

a specific occupation, a similar cell-level approach is used 

to make adjustments to the sampled occupation weights in 

responding establishments. The characteristics of interest include the major occupation group of the unreported occupations.

Imputation procedures were used for missing items, such 

as participation values, plan provisions, and employee and 

employer medical premium values, within responding occupational observations (quotes).

The following procedures were used to adjust for missing 

data from partial and full refusals. First, the percentage of 

plan participants was imputed in cases where that number 

was not reported. Each of these participant values was imputed by selecting a similar plan from another occupational 

observation with usable participation data.

Second, when not available, plan provisions were imputed 

by selecting a usable plan from another occupational observation with similar plan characteristics. Provisions from the 

selected plan were then used to represent the missing data. 

The following tabulation gives the participation imputation 

percentages for the various benefit areas:

Benefit area Imputation percentage

Defined benefit 48

Defined contribution 52

Medical care 50

Dental benefits 54

Vision benefits 47

Prescription drugs 50

Finally, imputations for employee and employer medical premiums were made in cases where one or both of the 

premium values were not reported for a particular plan. One 

or both of the premiums were imputed by selecting usable 

premium values from another occupational observation with 

similar plan characteristics.

Appendix B. Survey Response