2026 MARKET TRENDS

Employee Benefits

Executive Summary

Organizations today face an increasingly costly and complex benefits landscape where access to timely insight and practical strategies is critical. This report explores key areas shaping the future of employee benefits including population well-being, regulatory strategy, financial wellness, pharmacy management and emerging benefit solutions.

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Risk Strategies is now part of the Brown & Brown team, bringing together the strengths and perspectives of both organizations.

This report is informed in part by the second annual Brown & Brown Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey. The 2026 edition gathered responses from 1,241 employers with at least 200 U.S.-based employees across a wide range of industries and regions.

Top Strategic Priorities

Amid escalating medical and pharmacy cost trends, employers are increasingly prioritizing cost containment strategies.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

In This Report

Population Health & Well-Being

Employers are facing increasingly concentrated risk tied to several factors.

Financial Well-Being

Looking ahead to 2026, several forces are shaping the direction of financial well-being strategies.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy trends in 2026 will be shaped by continued high drug costs

International Benefits

Many common themes continue to emerge across international employee benefit markets.

Regulatory & Legislative Strategy

2025 brought several regulatory and litigation developments with potentially significant consequences.

Medicare

The Medicare landscape is changing in response to rising healthcare spending.

Student Health

Institutions are relying on data-driven decision-making to mitigate escalating costs.

Absence & Leave

Leaves of absence are increasingly viewed as a core element of competitive employee benefit packages.

Audits & Assessments

As new regulations advance, the need to validate accurate implementation and adherence is growing.

Employee Benefits Technology

Employee benefits technology is evolving to support changing workforce expectations.

Digital Health

Employers are prioritizing virtual care, navigation tools and cost transparency solutions

Actuarial & Underwriting

Employers continue to operate in a sustained high-trend environment.

Provider Contracting/ Specialty

Pressures are prompting employers to move beyond traditional contracting approaches.

Stop Loss & Alternative Funding

The stop loss market has entered a period of sustained disruption driven by several factors.

Voluntary Benefits

Voluntary benefits continue to evolve into a comprehensive well-being ecosystem that supports the broad needs of today's workforce.

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