On the Pulse Report

2026 Insights on Employee
Benefits Trends

Employers are facing rising healthcare costs, evolving pay transparency requirements, and changing expectations around flexibility, well-being, and total rewards. For HR and benefits leaders, the challenge is balancing cost control with benefits programs that employees understand, use, and value.

The 2026 On the Pulse Report breaks down the trends shaping employee benefits today, what they mean for employers, and where leaders may need to take action. Drawing on insights from our national practice leaders, the report highlights the pressures affecting benefits decisions and the strategies employers are using to respond.

Inside this report: 

• Managing Healthcare Costs with Data-Driven Insights
• Evaluating GLP-1 Drugs’ Impact on Pharmacy Spend
• Navigating Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave Programs
• Leveraging AI to Improve Benefits Communication
• Addressing Evolving Compensation Expectations
• Strengthening Employee Financial Wellness under Secure 2.0

IMA will continue to monitor regulator guidance and offer meaningful, practical, timely information. This material should not be considered as a substitute for legal, tax and/or actuarial advice. Contact the appropriate professional counsel for such matters. These materials are not exhaustive and are subject to possible changes in applicable laws, rules, and regulations and their interpretations.