2026 benefits benchmarks: what 3,700+ employers are doing to manage costs and stay competitive

As employers face rising healthcare and pharmacy costs, evolving workforce expectations and increasingly complex leave requirements, benefits strategies are under more pressure than ever. The 2026 Benefits Benchmarks Report, part of Gallagher's US Workforce Trends Series, provides data-driven insights from over 3,700 organizations to help HR and business leaders navigate today's benefits landscape with greater confidence.   

The report explores key trends across medical benefits, pharmacy benefit management, voluntary benefits, wellbeing initiatives and absence management, highlighting where employers are adapting strategies to improve affordability, strengthen governance and enhance the employee experience. You’ll also gain access to detailed benchmark data that can be filtered by employer size, geography and organizational characteristics.   

Key insights include: 

• 42% of employers reported health plan premium increases of 10% or more at their most recent renewal.  
• 49% rank the high cost of specialty drugs among their top healthcare cost management challenges.  
• 68% agree that voluntary benefits are an important component of a comprehensive financial wellbeing strategy.  
• More than 4 in 5 employers evaluate the effectiveness of their wellbeing initiatives.  
• 57% cite compliance with federal, state and municipal regulations as a top absence management concern.  

Download the report to uncover the benchmark data, trends and actionable insights shaping benefits strategies in 2026 and beyond. 

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