13 Questions To Ask About Benefits at Your Job Interview

Step one in any job search is applying. Step two is landing the interview.

Preparing for the interview is critical. And sometimes, in the excitement at the prospect of landing a job — and the desire to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck — it's easy to forget to ask important questions about your potential new role.

Researching beforehand helps prepare you to ask the right questions. Here are some key questions you should ask about benefits in your next interview.

When it comes to health insurance, ask what percentage of premium payments the employer covers.

Also find out about any waiting periods for benefits. Find out about potential out-of-pocket costs and how these affect your take-home pay, especially if you need family or dependent coverage.

What portion of your insurance will your employer cover, and what portion will you need to pay? If multiple coverage levels are offered, understand the differences in terms of what you will owe for premiums and deductibles.

Calculate your current out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses to see if insurance could reduce those costs.

Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts offer a tax-advantaged way to save money for health care expenses.

Find out whether your prospective new employer offers these types of accounts and whether the employer makes contributions on your behalf.

You don't have to be a health nut to enjoy the benefits of a gym. Some employers offer a fitness reimbursement program that can trim your gym costs.

Many companies want their employees to engage in physical activities that keep them healthy.

Although pensions are not as common as they once were, some companies still offer them.

Ask about the company match and the vesting schedule. Once vested, you can leave the company without losing any of your money.

The 401(k) plan is one of the most common ways that people save for retirement.

These plans allow employees to put a portion of their wages into tax-advantaged accounts that they can tap over time. Find out if the company offers a 401(k) and whether the employer makes matching contributions.

Plenty of companies offer group life insurance, usually equal to one year's salary. This often is available at no cost to the employee.

Find out if you can buy extra coverage and how much it costs. It's also important to learn about whether the insurance is portable should you leave your job.

Mental health is important: Vacation time — perhaps a little sun and sand — helps a lot with that. This is your paid time off, and you deserve it.

Sometimes, PTO is flexible or unlimited. But ask if PTO is earned gradually or if a set number of days is offered.

Sick time can be hard to come by.

Some companies offer limited or no sick days. Others separate PTO and sick time. It's good to ask about the number of days allotted for each and how much notice is required to use them.

Also, ask if unused days roll over into the next year.

Educational and training benefits can be attractive to candidates who are looking for job growth.

There are plenty of companies that offer role-specific training, but some also offer other options, including tuition assistance for degrees or certifications.

Perks — from remote work and flexible schedules to free food, fitness memberships, and tech stipends — can juice up job satisfaction.

Not all employers offer these, so inquire about these benefits if they matter to you.

Some companies offer benefits to those in a domestic partnership — a living arrangement where two people live together and share a domestic life.

The guidelines for sharing benefits vary. Check local laws and ask about which benefits are included at the company.

If your new employer is privately held, it might offer stock options to employees. Getting those shares as part of your benefits package can be an excellent way to try to build wealth.

There are tons of things you should know about any potential employer. Make sure you understand company culture and values, how the company supports career growth, and how it handles work-life balance and conflict resolution.

Also, make sure the pay is enough to help you get ahead financially. Understanding the pay and benefits a company offers can help you make the right choice about whether to take a new job.