In terms of coverage, what is a core feature of cafeteria plans?

Cafeteria plans are designed to offer employees a wide range of benefits from which they can choose according to their individual needs and preferences. This flexibility is the core feature of such plans, allowing employees to tailor their benefit selections to best align with their personal and family situations.

For instance, some employees may prioritize health insurance while others might prefer additional vacation days or childcare assistance. This customization caters to a diverse workforce and helps improve employee satisfaction and engagement.

The other options do not reflect the primary characteristic of cafeteria plans. Mandatory enrollment in all benefits would contradict the very essence of flexibility that cafeteria plans offer. Limited options for health care diminishes the idea of a tailored selection process. Lastly, while some cafeteria plans may enable no personal contribution from employees, many require some level of employee contribution, making this not universally applicable. Thus, the flexibility of benefit selection is what truly defines cafeteria plans.