As organizations look ahead to 2026, the global benefits landscape continues to shift under rising cost pressures, new technology capabilities, and evolving workforce expectations. Many of the challenges that shaped the past several years—financial strain, limited human resources capacity, and increasing employee needs—remain firmly in place. What is quickly changing is the set of tools available to address them.
In an article originally published on the website of MBWL International, we discuss what is shaping benefits in 2026 and note some of the key priorities for 2026 business leaders. MBWL is Milliman’s joint venture with Barnett Waddingham, Lurse, and Normandin Beaudry, providing retirement and benefits consulting for multinational organizations.
The article also invites the industry to participate in MBWL’s 2026 Global Benefits Forecast Survey, which offers organizations an opportunity to reflect on market dynamics, benchmark with peers, and gain insights to help guide planning for the coming year.
Highlights:
- Increasing cost pressures and resource constraints: Across regions, organizations continue to face affordability and accessibility challenges, particularly in healthcare.
- Strategic preparedness in an uncertain market: In many organizations, uncertainty has led to stalled initiatives, delayed decisions, or a wait-and-see mindset.
- The acceleration of AI and technology in benefits: Real, implementable solutions are now available and gaining traction.
- Doing more with less: Companies are searching for ways to optimize plans globally and find savings to improve the bottom line or reinvest in their employees.
- Governance, risk management, and operational excellence: Sound governance has become more important and more challenging.
- Innovation with purpose: Interest in AI and automation is growing rapidly, but organizations should remain focused on purposeful and responsible adoption.
Read the full article here.