Gen Z employees, aged 18-27, are increasingly encountering new responsibilities and challenges as they navigate the complexities of life and work. Open enrollment, the annual period when employees can choose or re-elect benefits, is a great time to evaluate needs and get support — but 60% of Gen Z employees don’t fully understand their benefits, according to MetLife data, and struggle to navigate this process as a result.
As a benefits executive and a parent of three Gen Zers, I’ve seen first-hand how overwhelming open enrollment can be for this generation. Managing yet another deadline in a world full of distractions can be challenging enough for Gen Z — and while receiving clear reminders from an employer can help, the work can’t stop there. In fact, the question I hear most from my kids during this time is, “Mom, what benefits should I choose? I don’t know what I need.”
