Health and wellbeing benefits are the biggest challenges for employers implementing benefit strategies.
This is according to WTW’s 2025 Benefit Trends Survey which polled 5,583 global employers and 327 UK employers.
The research found the greatest challenges in implementing employee benefit strategies to be health benefits (40%) and wellbeing (28%).
Implementing solutions
Though most employers are already implementing solutions to address these priority areas.
For health benefits, this includes enhancing coverage and reviewing plan designs, with greater choice and flexibility.
To tackle wellbeing, employers are leveraging and enhancing employee assistance programmes and reviewing wellbeing benefits and providing more comprehensive support.
When it comes to financial wellbeing, they are providing financial education and training and improving communication on available support.
Addressing pressure points
But the research also found that employers are also taking action to address pressure points like family, women’s health and leave policies. Notably, 69% have enhanced maternity or primary caregiver leave and 17% are planning or considering doing so. More than a third (37%) already offer adoption, fostering, and surrogacy support and 18% plan to do so.
Two-thirds (62%) provide medical benefits that support women’s health including menopause, and 13% offer fertility treatments, with a further 24% planning to do so.
Meeting the changing needs of the workforce
Andy Leighton, director – health and benefits at WTW, said: “The survey findings underscore the need for employers to evolve their benefit strategies to better meet the changing needs of their workforce.
“As financial pressures increase, wellbeing plays a big role in employees’ lives.
“Providing resources to address mental health issues and more flexibility when it comes to benefits can be real differentiators. This strategy will foster a more engaged and productive workforce.”