How the biggest benefits trends this year will still matter in 2019

Changing regulations — from the death of the fiduciary rule to the IRS clearing the way for a student loan benefit tied to 401(k)s — meant new paths for companies big and small. New employer initiatives — including the alliance between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase, who announced plans to start their own healthcare company at the beginning of the year — shook up healthcare delivery and put more employers in the driver’s seat.

Meanwhile, scores of employers increased 401(k) matches, implemented student loan benefits, beefed up paid leave policies and made other changes to their benefits packages — both in response to savings from the Trump administration’s tax overhaul law and in a bid to keep and recruit talent.

The utilization gap: Why employees ignore the benefits you fund, and how AI changes that

By Melissa Reeves

September 18

Employee benefits

Employers brace for another year of rising health benefit costs

With health benefit costs expected to rise 8.2% in 2027, employers are looking for ways to control spending without simply shifting more costs to workers.