What are "voluntary benefits" in the workplace?

Voluntary benefits in the workplace refer to options that are offered by employers but funded by employees through payroll deductions or direct payments. These benefits typically include supplemental insurance products, such as accident, critical illness, or dental coverage, which employees can choose to enroll in based on their individual needs and preferences.

The essence of voluntary benefits lies in the employee's autonomy to select which additional coverages they wish to purchase, allowing for a more tailored benefits package. This flexibility is a key component of what differentiates voluntary benefits from mandatory benefits or those provided at no cost.

Choosing to offer voluntary benefits can be advantageous for employers as well; it allows them to provide attractive options to their workforce without incurring the full financial burden of all potential benefits. Thus, the correct answer appropriately reflects the nature of voluntary benefits as those that employees choose to pay for themselves.