I recently had a very promising interview and have been told that I am the current  leading candidate out of a group of 5.  If I manage to get an offer, I was planning to ask for a 10%-15% increase over my prior salary. This would place me just below the mid-point of the salary range for this type of position. 

Even thought I would be satisfied with that salary, would it be out of the ordinary to voluntarily opt out of the company health plan in leiu of a larger salary increase?  I know the cost of company paid health premiums are a big factor in employee compensation, so I thought it might be a possible to get a better starting salary if I provided my own health insurance. 

If that seems reasonable, does anyone know what the cost of health premiums are in relation to ones salary?  

Thanks,

MrTechnical

Most companies won't trade a higher salary for declining health benefits.  It just doesn't work that way.  The advantage of offering health insurance to employees is being part of a larger buying group which means a lower cost to the employer, so one more person added or subtracted from the group doesn't significantly change the overall cost to the company.  So, even if an employer were to trade you more salary for no insurance, it wouldn't be enough of a difference for the company to make a significant improvement in your earnings picture.  Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to decline health insurance - even if you have a spouse who has coverage - because you never know when that coverage may go away.  That doesn't mean you can't ask about a higher salary if you decline the coverage, but don't be surprised if the answer is "no."

Paul W. Barada

The Negotiation Expert 

I have seen companies give people $$ if they do not choose the company health benefits and actually researched this for one of my past employers.  I wouldn't count on them giving you a big boost in salary for not taking the insurance.  Companies that do offer $$ for this usuallyonly give the employee as low as $40 a month and the highest I have seen is $150 a month.

Paul's assessment is correct. In addition, there would be a real issue when some time in the future you wanted to be added tot he plan. Could the company say no when they can not say no to any other employee? Would you then accept a lower salary in order to join the plan? Could the company even make that kind of salary adjustment when it doesn't for any other employee joining the plan?