A new study has found that employee retention is now a top benefits objective.

The MetLife report revealed that for the first time in the five years the company has been conducting the study, employee retention beat out controlling costs as a top benefits objective.

Fifty-five percent of respondents identified employee retention as one of their most important benefits objectives, up from fewer than 50 percent in 2003. Previously, controlling costs was considered the most important objective by 50 percent of all employers.

The employee survey polled 1,202 full-time employees. The employer survey consisted of 1,514 interviews with benefits decision-makers at companies.

Source: HR.BLR.com