Tailored benefits

Although 70 percent of corporate benefit executives regard flexible benefit programs as ''highly desirable'' for employees, only 18 percent feel such plans are equally desirable for their companies. Under a flexible benefit program, employees select different benefits to suit their particular circumstances.

Of 200 executives surveyed by William M. Mercer Inc., an employee benefit and compensation consulting firm, 46 percent represented financial and banking institutions. Administration and costs of the flexible plan were cited as the major drawbacks.