The data driving the Benefits Benchmarking Tool comes primarily from two sources:

• The 6th Annual MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends is a comprehensive survey that was conducted during the third quarter of 2007 and consisted of two distinct studies fielded by GfK Custom Research North America. The employer survey comprised 1,652 interviews with benefits decision-makers at companies spanning a broad range of industries, sizes and geographic locations. The employee survey polled 1,380 full-time employees, age 21 and over, at companies with at least two employees. Employee data are weighted to reflect the total U.S. working population, excluding those who are self-employed.

• The MetLife 2008 Open Enrollment Study includes results from a survey of 1,204 employees, conducted online from February 25–March 4, 2008. Fielded by GfK Custom Research North America, the survey is based on responses from a broad cross section of employees, age 21 and older, who are working full-time for a company offering benefits and have at least some say in benefits decision-making for their household.