Most valued benefit? Medical insurance. (Business Briefs).

Employees rank basic benefits--medical insurance, paid vacation/holidays and retirement plans -- as the most important among the benefits they receive from their employers, according to Aon Consulting's United States @Work study.

The survey of 1,800 American workers found that having medical insurance was the single most important benefit, as it has been in the Aon Consulting ranking of benefits importance since the study began in 1995.

"This study underscores what we tell clients every day: You need to have the basic benefits in order to become an employer of choice," said David Stum, president of Aon Consulting's Loyalty Institute. "Other benefits, such as flex time and day care, are also important, but, in order to have an engaged, committed workforce, it's vital that companies make sure they have healthcare coverage and retirement plans that their employees can feel good about."

Respondents were asked to rank benefits on a five-point scale, with five being "critical," four being "very important," three being "important," two meaning "somewhat important," and one being "not important." Of the 23 different benefits in the listing, 13 received an average score of four or higher.

The top 10 were:

1. Medical insurance        4.62
2. Paid vacation
   and holidays             4.48
3. Employer-paid pension    4.43
4. Retirement savings plan  4.36
5. Prescription drug card   4.34
6. Dental insurance         4.30
7. Ability to choose
   benefits that best
   meet your needs          4.28
8. Sick leave and
   short-term disability    4.24
9. Long-term disability
   insurance                4.20
10. Preventive/wellness
    coverage                4.11