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Employee Benefits Guide
Edited by: Michael S. Gutter and Richard Entenmann
Authors: Amanda Peterson, Michael S. Gutter, Jennifer Sherwin,
Linda Bradley, Kevin Hill, and Kevin Ciesieliski
About the Editors
Dr. Michael S. Gutter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Consumer Science, School of Human Ecology at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
Richard Entenmann is President of Asset Builders of America, Inc., a non-
profit corporation with a mission of providing financial education and
wealth-building strategies to enhance the quality of life of low income
youth, families, and communities.
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How to Use This Booklet
1. A person’s total “pay package” can be a lot more than just the money the
person receives for working. Employee benefits can be an important part
of a person’s total pay, so it’s important to understand how these benefits
add up.
2. There is a wide range of benefits “out there” in today’s job market. The
choice can be overwhelming! This booklet will show you the overall uni-
verse of benefits that employers could offer and help you understand
what your employer or potential employer is offering. You’ll be better
able to decide whether to take a job after learning about everything that
makes up the total pay package.
3. We’ve set out a series of general topics in alphabetical order. First, find
the topic of interest to you.
4. Next, read our overview of the topic
5. Underlined words are in the Glossary at the end of the booklet. Relevant
legislation will be ITALICIZED AND CAPITALIZED and will be in the appen-
dix at the end.
6. Use the Benefit Comparison Chart at the end to help you think through
the benefits you’re being offered—then you’ll know about all parts of the
“pay package” when you’re deciding whether to take a job.
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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GUIDE
Table of Contents
Compensation:
How much do I get paid for all of my hard work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Employment Status:
Am I an employee or an independent contractor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .