What's Next In Group Benefits: Meeting Today's Evolving Employee Needs
By Ann Clifford
Originally published by benefitspro
As employers renew their commitment to their employee benefits strategies, they’re looking to brokers and insurance carriers to help them deliver holistic offerings that reflect the evolving landscape and address employees’ financial wellbeing needs.
After a year unlike any other, insurance carriers and brokers are analyzing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on evolving employee benefits trends. What they’re finding, says Rich Williams, president of Aflac’s group benefits division, is heightened awareness among employees and a renewed commitment to optimizing benefits on the part of employers.
“A major trend we’re tracking is the decreased utilization of benefits caused by the pandemic,” Williams says. “In 2020, people simply put off medical care. According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, half of adults reported they – or a member of their household – skipped or postponed medical or dental care. Obviously, we recognize how vital preventive care is for wellness, and we expect to see regular checkups and preventive care visits rebound in 2021.”
