What the 2026 Benchmarking Data Reveals — and Why It Matters Now

Benefits decisions are becoming more complex and more consequential. Rising costs, evolving employee expectations, and a fragmented healthcare landscape are pushing organizations to look beyond assumptions and anecdotes when shaping their strategies.

That’s why Alera Group is releasing our 2026 Healthcare and Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report — and why we’re hosting an upcoming webinar focused on helping organizations use benchmarking data more effectively to support informed decision-making.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, Alera Group will host Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals, a live webinar designed for HR, finance and executive leaders involved in benefits planning, budgeting and long-term strategy.

Key Themes Emerging From the 2026 Data

The 2026 benchmarking data highlights several trends shaping how employers approach benefits today. While the full insights will be explored in the report and webinar, several themes stand out:

Continued premium pressure across the market

Medical costs remain elevated, affecting organizations of all sizes. Many employers are realizing that broad market averages don’t always reflect their specific circumstances—and that relying on generalized benchmarks can make it harder to plan with confidence.

Supplemental benefits as a tool to support affordability

Rather than shifting additional costs to employees, employers are increasingly using supplemental benefits to help address financial stress and healthcare affordability. These offerings are emerging as a way to expand protection while maintaining cost discipline.

Growing focus on care navigation and decision support

As healthcare options become more complex, employers are investing in resources that help employees make more informed care decisions. The data points to a growing recognition that access alone isn’t enough — employees also need guidance to navigate care effectively.

Together, these themes reinforce a broader reality: benefits strategies are becoming more nuanced, and one‑size‑fits‑all benchmarking is no longer sufficient.

Join the Conversation in the Webinar

The webinar will expand on these themes and explore how best-in-class benchmarking can support better outcomes. During the session, our experts will discuss:

• Why averages often fall short — and what leaders should consider instead.
• How employers are responding to rising costs and increasing complexity.
• How benchmarking data can be used to support planning, budgeting and renewal conversations.

For organizations evaluating their benefits strategy or preparing for upcoming decisions, this webinar offers timely insight grounded in real-world data.

Register to attend

Register to attend and receive a copy of Alera Group’s 2026 Healthcare & Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report following the session.

Why Benchmarking Matters More Than Ever

Benchmarking isn’t about chasing averages—it’s about gaining context. When applied thoughtfully, benchmarking can help organizations:

• Understand how their programs compare to relevant peers. 
• Identify areas of over- or under‑investment.
• Support benefits decisions with credible data when engaging finance teams and executive leadership. 
• Move from reactive cost management to more proactive, informed planning.

Without the right context, however, benchmarking can oversimplify complex decisions. Factors like industry, size, funding approach, and workforce demographics all play a role—and they matter more than ever in today’s environment.

Register for the webinar: Benchmarking That Drives Decisions

Alera Group’s full 2026 Healthcare and Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report will be released during the webinar. Join us on June 16 to gain early insight into what the data is revealing—and how it can help support better benefits decisions.

Register to attend