Which of the following best describes a feature of a "core benefit" in a flexible benefit plan?

Core benefits are fundamental components of a flexible benefit plan that set a baseline level of coverage for employees. They typically include essential insurance and benefit options that all employees receive regardless of individual preferences, ensuring that everyone has access to basic services such as health insurance, life insurance, and disability coverage. This standardization helps to ensure that an organization meets legal or contractual requirements for employee benefits while providing necessary security for the workforce.

The other options suggest misconceptions about the nature of core benefits. Core benefits are not tailored based on individual employee choices, nor are they designed solely for high-paid employees, as they should be uniformly accessible to all employees within the organization. Although the flexibility in benefits can allow for cash options, core benefits themselves are typically not purely cash-based, as their purpose is to provide essential, non-cash coverage options that support the overall well-being of employees.