I don't believe the issue is going to be that employees will have to obtain their own benefits. I think the issue is going to be that, potentially, the government is going to step in as a benefits provider, especially in healthcare.
I don't think employer-sponsored benefits will "fade to black" as much as evolve with the times. Remember that the fact that our health insurance system is employer based is a result of larger economic and political forces of a particular era. Employers will adapt and will find ways to provide benefits that will drive recruitment, retention, etc.
