CEOs consider slashing benefit budgets amid tariff concerns

By Alyssa Place, This is my expertise
Published 3 Min Read

Business leader looking at economic data
Adobe Stock

CEOs are feeling a lack of confidence in their ability to guide their businesses though the financial storms caused by tariffs and other economic challenges. What will this mean for benefit budgets in the coming months? 

According to the quarterly Vistage CEO Confidence Index, in the first quarter of 2025, CEO confidence among small and midsize business leaders dropped sharply: The index fell by a historic 22 points — from 100.8 in the last quarter of 2024 to 78.5 in the first quarter of this year. This marks a significant shift in sentiment driven by inflation concerns and the mounting impact of tariffs. 

Alyssa Place
Editor-in-chief

Alyssa Place is the editor-in-chief of Employee Benefit News and has been with the team since 2019. Her work covers mental health, DEI, women at work, financial wellness, retirement and workplace … Read full bio


For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.


More From Employee Benefit News

Sign Up Form

Login Modal Form