In October 2026, the Employee Benefit Research Institute reported continuing forfeitures from US flexible spending accounts. The research is dated 15 October, with a release on 21 October, and describes 2024 account experience rather than a 2026 projection. Across 3.3 million accounts, roughly four in ten holders forfeited unused funds. The average forfeiture among those losing money was $404, down from $436. That figure is conditional: it is not

In October 2026, Ohio State University published research showing substantial obstacles to obtaining mental health appointments through commercial insurance directories. Released on 16 October, the study tests an operational question for benefits buyers: can someone use the network that appears in the contract? Its findings support closer scrutiny of access, while leaving important limits on what can be inferred about individual insurers or the wider market. What the calls

In October 2026, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association released its annual fact book, reporting C$157 billion in life, health and retirement benefits paid in 2025, a 10% increase. The release was published on 20 October. For employer benefits buyers, the figures provide context for the Canadian market, but their broad scope makes them unsuitable as a direct estimate of the renewal increase an individual medical plan should

In October 2026, Risk & Insurance examined Gallagher retirement benchmarks reporting that 85% of surveyed employers offer retirement benefits and 28% of employees expect their savings strategy to meet their goals. The 20 October analysis draws on separate employer and employee surveys. It does not establish a matched comparison or prove that access determines confidence. Keep each measure attached to its sample The employer survey covers 3,717 organisations from

In October 2026, Transamerica published its healthcare retirement-plan research with a release datelined 15 October, identifying immediate financial pressures alongside long-term retirement needs. Further coverage appeared on 19 October. The distinction matters: this is an October publication reporting earlier fieldwork, not a new survey of employees conducted during that later news cycle. For benefits teams, its practical value lies in coordinating support that employees can use alongside retirement planning.

In October 2026, McKinsey published an analysis of US retirement competition that identifies implementation as a barrier to wider use of in-plan retirement income. The article appeared on 19 October and draws in part on a consultant survey conducted in November 2025. Its relevance for benefits leaders lies in the gap between adding an option to a plan and making that option understandable and operationally usable for members. Keep

In October 2026, Lincoln Financial and the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) highlighted research on how employees understand voluntary benefits. The surveys covered 408 employers, 170 brokers and 1,130 eligible workers. Eighty-six per cent of employees reported spending no more than four hours reviewing enrolment material. Brief explanations in everyday language increased expressed interest in several types of cover. These findings concern reported views and interest; they do not

A denser map of disclosed risks In September 2026, Swiss Re Institute and the London School of Economics reported that the number of connections among risks disclosed by 91 Fortune 100 companies was 24% higher than in 2019. Their joint analysis places artificial intelligence and supply chains among the most important points where different risks meet. This is a measure of connections found in corporate disclosures, not a measured

In September 2026, AM Best reported that its rated US property and casualty mutual composite earned a $14.8 billion underwriting gain in 2025, compared with a $7.2 billion loss in 2024. Net income doubled to $42.6 billion and policyholders’ surplus rose to $468 billion. These are 2025 financial results published on September 24, 2026. Earlier rate increases, revised discounts and higher deductibles contributed, according to AM Best. So did

A June 2026 NBER working paper examines whether employee reviews can reveal information about product and service quality before problems become visible externally. Wei Cai, Dennis Campbell, Yaxuan Chen, Yufei Chen and Andrea Prat use more than 4.3 million Glassdoor reviews to construct firm-level quality measures for S&P 1500 companies covering 2008 to 2023. The authors train machine-learning models using customer satisfaction information for a subset of firms and

An NBER working paper circulated in the newsletter received on 15 June 2026 examines a monthly office day for remote customer-service employees. Researchers randomly assigned 248 employees at a large multinational to remain fully remote or meet at the office together one day each month. The study reports higher productivity and lower attrition in the treatment group. The experiment offers evidence about a defined arrangement in a particular workplace.

Alex Chan’s working paper, Optimal Medical Liability for AI, is dated 9 June 2026 in the Harvard Business School version and was circulated by NBER in June 2026. The paper develops a theoretical framework for situations where AI acts as a doctor rather than only assisting a clinician. It examines how the available medical record affects the incentives and responsibilities that a liability arrangement can create. The argument is

The version of NBER Working Paper 35275 circulated in the newsletter received on 1 June 2026 studies AI coding tools using data on more than 100,000 GitHub developers and their tool usage. Its matched event-study analysis finds substantial increases in coding activity, with smaller gains as the outcome moves from commits to projects and actual releases. This article concerns that archived version. The NBER page subsequently lists a September

NBER Working Paper 35265, issued in May 2026 and circulated in the newsletter received on 1 June 2026, revisits the employer size wage effect. Using linked German data on firms, establishments and employees, the researchers find that the usual relationship between establishment size and wages disappears across establishments within the same large firm after controlling for the firm. The result distinguishes two comparisons that can otherwise be confused: employees

CEOs who maintain or accelerate strategic investments during uncertain times create lasting competitive advantages while competitors freeze, according to new research from PwC’s CEO survey published in March 2026. The study reveals that companies succeeding in today’s volatile environment are abandoning traditional sector boundaries in favor of human needs-based ecosystems around mobility, nutrition, housing, and healthcare. These forward-thinking organizations have been exploring new domains for five years and are

In an increasingly globalized world, human resources (HR) professionals and risk managers of multinational companies face the growing challenge of managing employee well being and insurance strategies across borders. For companies with a global workforce, the rising costs of healthcare services and insurance premiums make it crucial to explore innovative and cost-efficient solutions that maintain or enhance the quality of care provided to employees. One such solution that has

Introduction: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Workforce Health The MAXIS GBN 2024 report illuminates the multifaceted influences of industry, culture, and gender on workforce health. Drawing from an extensive analysis of medical claims data, it reveals critical insights into how these elements shape health outcomes and healthcare costs. Industry Influence on Health: A Closer Look Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions emerge as a predominant concern, with spending on MSK care witnessing

In the latest quarter of 2023, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported a slight downturn in real household income per capita, marking a pivotal moment after a year of consistent growth. This shift, contrary to the 0.3% rise in real GDP per capita, unveils the intricate dynamics beneath the surface of economic indicators, spotlighting the diverse fiscal landscapes across member countries. The OECD’s analysis, aggregating data

As of October 2023, the OECD unemployment rate was 4.9%, remaining under 5.0% since July 2022​​. This stability is significant for the insurance and pensions sector as it indicates a relatively stable labor market. However, the number of unemployed persons reached 33.4 million, the highest in 2023. The disparity in unemployment rates among OECD countries is notable, with rates rising in 14 countries, unchanged in 9, and declining in

The OECD’s “Pensions at a Glance 2023” report presents a detailed analysis of pension systems, demographic trends, and policy reforms among its G20 member countries. Here’s GBV’s comprehensive analysis based on the key findings from the report: 1. Pension Reforms and Retirement Age Adjustments Increasing Retirement Ages: Many OECD countries continue to increase retirement ages. For example, Sweden raised its retirement age and linked it to two-thirds of life-expectancy

The comprehensive analysis of the “Vitality in America” study, commissioned by The Cigna Group, reveals crucial insights into the state of vitality among Generation Z and other American adults. This study, conducted in June 2023, surveyed 10,000 adults and used the Evernorth Vitality Index (EVI) to measure health and well-being across eight dimensions: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. Generation Z’s Vitality Metrics Mental Health Challenges

The landscape of global medical expenses is undergoing significant changes. The WTW 2024 Global Medical Trends Survey, encompassing insights from 266 insurers across 66 countries, provides critical data on these shifts. This comprehensive study highlights key trends in medical costs, including a projected near double-digit increase in 2024, albeit a decline from the 2023 highs. Let’s delve into the factors influencing these trends and their implications. Decline in Medical

GBV’s Summary of OECD Consumer Price Index and Headline Inflation Rates Report – November 2023 Key Findings: General Trend of Inflation: The OECD headline inflation eased slightly to 6.2% in September 2023, down from 6.4% in August. This change follows previous increases in July and August. Inflation decreased in 27 OECD countries but rose in 8, including significant rises in Spain, Costa Rica, Slovenia, and Türkiye. Notably, Türkiye, Hungary,

The O.C. Tanner 2024 Global Culture Report provides insightful data and perspectives on workplace culture and the evolving employee-employer relationship. Here’s GBV’s comprehensive summary focusing on the changes in these areas: Workplace Flexibility Increasing Flexibility and Fairness: The report highlights a trend towards more flexible work environments, emphasizing the need to make this flexibility equitable across different roles​​. Employee Expectations and Benefits of Flexibility: Employees are not necessarily seeking

Zurich Integrated Benefits‘ new report “The Future of Employee Benefits: 2030”, provides an insightful analysis of the evolving nature of work and its implications for employee benefits. The report outlines five key pillars that are shaping the future of employee benefits. These include Personalization, Wellbeing, Empowerment, Impact, and Technology. Each pillar is accompanied by micro-trends and scenarios demonstrating their application in the future workplace. The analysis focuses on these

The report titled “Global Pension Risk Transfer Market Outlook” by Milliman, dated November 3, 2023, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) markets, focusing on key territories such as the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and Ireland. The report outlines the global landscape of Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes and their interaction with the PRT market. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholders understanding the

The Imperative of Systematic Health Tracking in the Workplace In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, the health and wellbeing of employees are often overlooked. Most companies focus on direct expenses or liability exposure, such as disability claims and on-the-job injuries, neglecting the broader spectrum of employee health. This narrow focus leaves a significant gap in understanding and improving the overall health of the workforce. To address this, a systematic approach