Small businesses see big value in benefits, but need help with rising cost, complexity

Published October 6, 2026 7:00 AM EDT Updated October 5, 2026 7:44 PM EDT 6 Min Read

Employees participate in a workplace security workshop led by a presenter in a modern office. The image works for stories about cyber awareness, staff education, risk reduction, and small company resilience.

Key Insight: The real reason small employers struggle with benefits involves a disconnect in execution.
What’s at Stake: Small-business owners risk losing the talent needed to compete and grow.
Forward Look: Watch for new businesses to face benefits complexity earlier in their journeys.
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

Small-business owners overwhelmingly see the value of employee benefits, according to a new survey, but many say they need outside help navigating the complexities of offering them.

Jimmy Nesbitt

Reporter

Jimmy Nesbitt is a reporter at Employee Benefit News, where he covers the evolving landscape of workplace benefits, healthcare, retirement, financial wellness and related policy issues. His career … Read full bio

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