Employee Benefits 101: What Every Startup Founder Must Know

Which benefits are legally required, which are optional, and how to build a competitive package on a startup budget.

Benefits are one of the most misunderstood areas of HR for early-stage founders. Get them wrong and you face compliance penalties, recruiting losses, and employee resentment. Get them right and they become one of your most powerful retention tools. Here is exactly what you need to know.

The line between required and optional

Benefits you are required to provide by law

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate

Health insurance: how to structure your offering

Retirement benefits: 401(k) basics

What the market actually offers at your stage

COBRA: the post-employment obligation most founders miss