Remember when college was where you found a spouse? It's not any more. On average, women marry at age 26 today, and men at 28. So what are Millennials thinking about instead of romance?

Probably money. Millennials worry a lot about having enough. On average, college grads owe $20,000 in student loans. And Ys make 25% less in inflation-adjusted dollars than young people did in 1974. When asked to define "marrying for money," Gen Y women said the spouse would have banked $2.5 million. For women only ten years older, $1.1 million sufficed. If money COULD buy you love, even that would be more expensive for Gen Y. In fact, financial security is the top Millennial career-related worry.

What this means for employers:

1. When Ys negotiate for higher salaries, don't assume the request stems from arrogance. Wages that seem astronomical to older generations may simply reflect the amount required in today's dollars for a young person to pay off debt, plan for layoffs and save for retirement.

2. If you want the best talent, offer packages that are just a little above industry and regional norms. Studies show that Ys look for salary, benefits and location first. Other factors come into play only after a candidate determines that your compensation package meets or exceeds the stardard.

3. Tie compensation to results. Ys tend to be attracted to opportunities to drive up their recompense. For example, if the standard is 10 units per hour in a manufacturing setting, you might offer a bonus for every hour an employee exceeds that standard. Similar methods work in retail. Ys can be motivated to put in extra effort if they know an increase kicks in when they serve higher-than-ordinary numbers of customers.

4. Got a Y who's a star? Find out when he or she is due to pay off college debt. The day a Millennial pays off his college loans, he becomes more likely to job hop. Make sure that the Ys you value get offers from you they can't refuse during this high-jump period.

Article by Amy Lynch and courtesy of Bottom Line Conversations. For more than a decade, author and public speaker, Amy Lynch, has studied Generation Y and the era that shaped them. Today, as these 20-somethings enter the workplace, she helps organizations attract, engage and retain young professionals.