March 2, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Marsh McLennan Agency.

Employers are experiencing heightened pressure across their benefit plans. Costs continue to rise in medical, pharmacy and overall plan spending. New therapies are changing pharmacy spending and long-term affordability.

The workforce is also shifting expectations, needs and relationship with work, and AI adoption is accelerating, with many organizations frantically working to balance the use of new tools with responsible oversight.

These all overlap, exacerbating the pressures on employers.

The Marsh McLennan Agency 2026 Employee Health & Benefits Trends report explores four key themes that will shape employer decisions:

• The health of the nation is evolving in ways that directly affect workforce well-being and employer costs. Chronic conditions are increasing, women’s health needs remain under-addressed, oral health is widely underused, and environmental risks such as wildfire smoke now affect regions that previously saw little exposure. Elder care responsibilities are growing as the population ages.
• Pharmacy trends are reshaping plan affordability as specialty drugs and GLP-1 medications account for a growing share of spending. Employers can’t control drug prices, but they can influence how their plans purchase and manage these therapies.
• Health care economics are changing in response to rising costs and new compliance demands. Premiums and plan costs are increasing as inflation and expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits take effect.
• Workforce trends and technology are testing traditional talent models and accelerating digital transformation. Declining engagement, new career expectations from Gen Z and the growth of hybrid work are challenging long-standing workplace norms. Employers can invest in education and oversight, so AI enhances efficiency without introducing new risks.

If you want to read the entire 2025 Marsh McLennan Agency Employee Health & Benefits Trends Survey for more information and insights, you can download it here.

Learn more about the HR insights shaping the 2026 benefit and workforce strategy by attending an in-person event on March 26 in Sioux Falls.

HR Insights Shaping 2026 Benefit and Workforce Strategy

Join Marsh McLennan Agency at Cherapa Place for an executive-focused seminar on 2026 benefit and workforce strategy, covering the health of the nation and population health, emerging pharmacy trends, health care economics, workforce dynamics and financial and retirement considerations.

• 11:30 a.m.: Registration and lunch
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Presentation

Save your seat here.

To learn more about how we can help you prepare for managing these risks and more, get in touch with a Marsh McLennan Agency specialist for guidance, risk assessments and resiliency-focused solutions that will help your business thrive.

Marsh McLennan Agency
300 N. Cherapa Place, Suite 601 | Sioux Falls
605-339-3874
MarshMMA.com