IonTuition.com, the leading education-fintech company specializing in helping borrowers monitor and manage their student loans, announced the results of a new survey confirming that employers see the need for student loan repayment assistance as part of their employee benefits package.

IonTuition surveyed more than 400 middle managers to evaluate their perspectives on student loan assistance programs as an employee benefit. The results of the survey were clear: employers see value in helping employees manage their student debt and are willing to offer programs that lessen the financial stress.

Nearly all respondents believe employees with student loans would take advantage of a student loan repayment benefit and that this benefit would improve employees' morale, productivity and general well-being, while providing the company with a talent recruitment and retention advantage. Respondents also said employees would appreciate the convenience of making their student loan payments via payroll deductions.

Click here for survey report.

Selected survey results:

• Stress test: More than 90 percent of respondents recognize that student loan debt creates stress for employees. Approximately 80 percent are aware that this financial stress decreases employee productivity.

• Show me the benefits: More than half of respondents know that prospective employees view benefits as the most important aspect of a company, taking priority over company culture, commute and reputation, when evaluating a job offer. Almost 85 percent of respondents think employees would take advantage of a student loan repayment assistance benefit.

• Attract and retain: Nearly 80 percent of respondents believe offering a student loan repayment program would support talent recruitment. Also, 70 percent of respondents believe that offering such a program would improve employee retention and morale.

• Plan for the future: Student loan assistance helps employees save and plan for the future. Nearly 75 percent of respondents think that employees contribute less money to their 401(k) because of their student loans. Nearly 85 percent of respondents stated that employees would appreciate the option of making their student loan payments via automatic payroll deductions.

"Student loan debt connects employers and employees in a very meaningful fashion. Just like healthcare and retirement plans, student debt repayment assistance is applicable to more employees than tuition reimbursement or 401(k) plans in today's context. It is great to see so many employers step up and become early adopters," said Balaji "Raj" Rajan, CEO of IonTuition.