Broad Benefit Trends to Watch in 2020

To mark the end of the year, Fidelity gathered survey feedback from employers across a variety of industries, asking about their ambitions for expanding benefits in 2020.

According to Fidelity, an organization’s benefits platform is one of its most effective tools for attracting and retaining top talent, especially in today’s competitive job market.

The firm’s leadership says clients have indicated they are facing increasing pressure to improve and evolve their organization’s benefits, so it has become more important than ever for retirement plan providers and advisers to work closely with them to identify and provide the right combination of benefits that will increase employee engagement and have the greatest impact on their workforce.

Based on direct feedback from a diverse set of employers, Fidelity named six top benefit trends for 2020 and beyond, starting with “making way for Generation Z.”

“Employers are accustomed to having five generations in the workforce, but they now need to focus on the new expectations Gen Z brings to the workplace,” Fidelity says. “Employers will be tasked with providing benefits that reflect greater social responsibility, such as charitable giving and volunteer programs; more flexible work schedules and workspaces; environmental, social and governance (ESG) products within their retirement plan; student loan repayment assistance; and a corporate focus on creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.”

The second theme is that plan sponsors are extending financial and physical wellness programs to global workforces, while increasing support for mental health and substance abuse.

“Building on the increasing popularity of wellness programs in the U.S., employers with a multinational workforce are looking to develop a consistent benefits approach for their employees around the globe,” Fidelity explains. “Our research found that more than half (56%) of employers surveyed offer well-being programs to employees globally, and another 14% are considering extending their well-being program to workers in multiple geographies in 2020. In addition, employers are expanding health care benefits to include greater access to programs and resources to support employees (and their families) with mental health and substance abuse issues, including anxiety, mood disorders and trauma-related disorders (such as PTSD).”

Third, employers are providing more help with the decumulation phase of retirement savings. Fidelity says more than half (55%) of retirees kept their 401(k) saving with their previous employer when they retired, so more employers are providing tools and guidance to help workers shift from “accumulation” to “decumulation” and transition retirement savings into a durable income stream.

Fourth, employers are expanding benefits for family caregivers.

“Research shows there are more than 40 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S., and employers are recognizing how providing care to a family member can impact their ability to perform at work,” Fidelity says. “Employers are considering a range of options to help family caregivers, including more flexible work schedules, childcare assistance, paid family leave and access to services to assist with their caregiving activities.”

The fourth theme identified by Fidelity is that employers are making company stock available to a broader population of employees via stock plans, not just senior executives. This is because company stock continues to be viewed as a top workplace benefit, and employers are increasingly viewing company stock plans as a tool to attract and retain talent, as well as boost morale and productivity.

“More employers are considering adding an employee stock purchase plan to their benefits offering and providing access to company stock to a broader group of employees, without having to dip into the pool of shares earmarked for long-term incentives,” Fidelity explains.

Finally, Fidelity says, the sixth theme is an increasing focus on personalization, utilization and optimization of employee benefits.

“Employers will continue identify their employees’ top benefit needs to provide a tailored, personalized experience for each employee,” the firm explains. “However, employers are also going to increase their focus on benefits utilization to justify a particular benefit’s availability, as well as benefits optimization where they are utilizing the right mix of available benefits to address their specific need.”