In 2025, employee benefits are in the front row for both leadership and workforce interests. It begs the question: What’s the view from this new seat, and why has this happened? NEEBC hopes the following answers the question.
An evolving benefits landscape in 2025 is certain. It is influenced by rising healthcare costs propelled by drug expenses, GLP-1 demand for weight loss, the growing complexity of medical treatments and high-cost claims, and the prevalence of chronic health conditions. It will be further shaped by a new federal government administration, demand for talent with specialized skills including AI, and changing workforce expectations.
To help NEEBC’s community, and especially our members, navigate these complex dynamics, we called on the thought leadership of NEEBC’s partner experts and compiled this compendium blog of 2025 trends and outlooks.
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From mental health and well-being initiatives, flexible work arrangements and benefits, end-to-end cancer care, and alternative healthcare financing solutions…
To strategic salary planning, personalized benefits, and the transformative role of AI…
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These partner reports underscore the need for organizations to innovate, maximize utilization of, and align their benefits and rewards strategies with workforce expectations and economic pressures, providing actionable strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent across various life stages and generations.
We encourage you to explore the links below to partner publications* (in alphabetical order by organization) that canvas the industry landscape ahead.
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Total Rewards and Global Salary Trends (Aon) Amid economic uncertainty, companies are taking a careful approach to hiring and planning—one that includes focused hiring strategies, revising salary budgets, and implementing reward measures that respond to the current economic environment—aligning with the trends highlighted in this report. |
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The Affordability Imperative: 2025 trends & solutions Health care affordability will remain in sharp focus in 2025. While the affordability issue is not new, the magnitude and pace of the increases have created heightened urgency to address it. Health insurers, employers, and all healthcare stakeholders must continue to develop, seek out, and share solutions that contribute to a health system that delivers quality, affordable, and equitable care for all. This report highlights creative solutions and approaches to tackle the affordability question from a range of angles. |
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Top health care trends of 2025 and how they will impact U.S. employers (Cigna Healthcare) In response to rising health care costs, plan sponsors will focus on improving efficiency and eliminating waste in 2025. We will see greater focus on increasing member engagement, maximizing utilization of benefits and well-being programs, and creating impactful partnerships to help lower their cost trend. Cigna Healthcare looks at some of the biggest health care trends for 2025 and how they will impact U.S. employers. |
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2025 health benefits trends to watch (Fidelity Health®) The landscape of employee health benefits will continue to shift in 2025—shaped by rising costs, evolving demographics, new government leadership, and a changing lineup of available benefits vendors and solutions. How should employers prepare? Here, we’ll look at six trends employers should keep in mind as they chart their path forward.
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Outlook 2025 – Employee Benefits (HUB International) HUB outlines that the cost of healthcare benefits — driven largely by skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices — will continue to pressure employers committed to maintaining these and other benefits. In addition, HUB notes that employers are enhancing benefits to improve mental health and employee wellbeing. To increase productivity and retention, HUB notes that employers will ramp up job training and reskilling programs, leaning heavily on data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and personalized benefits. |
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7 HR Trends of 2025: Essential Insights Shaping the Future of Work (isolved) Today’s employees aren’t just looking for a paycheck. They want flexibility, support for their well-being and workplaces that align with their values. Meeting these expectations isn’t optional—it’s the foundation for loyalty, engagement and growth. In this report, we highlight seven key HR trends for 2025. Each trend provides actionable insights to improve recruitment, retention and engagement. |
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2025 Global Medical Trend Report (Lockton) The information captured in this report is based on a survey of Lockton’s worldwide offices conducted in September 2024 to capture current year and anticipated 2025 medical trend rates and important contextual information, including: • Health conditions making the greatest contribution to claims. • Other cost drivers affecting private health plans. • Cost management strategies most frequently adopted by employers. • Global and local market dynamics and regulatory developments. |
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2025 State of Workforce Mental Health (Lyra Health) To uncover today’s most pressing workforce mental health challenges and opportunities, we surveyed over 500 HR and benefits leaders and 7,500 employees across six countries. This report highlights key findings and shares perspectives from business leaders, clinicians, and consultants. From breaking down systemic barriers to scaling innovative care solutions, we explore actionable strategies to ensure employees are never alone in their most critical moments—and that employers have the right tools to support them. |
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2025 Employee Health & Benefits Trends Halfway through a decade characterized by a succession of unprecedented events on the national and global scale, organizational leaders have come to expect the unexpected. Immense pressure has been placed on employers to choose wisely and hedge their bets because of:
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*These outlooks and trends should be discussed with your legal counsel and/or service providers.