As HR leaders finalize their 2026 benefits strategies, industry experts are forecasting shifts driven by economic pressures, generational divides and evolving employee expectations. From the rise of budget-conscious health plan selections to demands for life-stage-specific benefits, the coming year will challenge organizations to balance cost containment with meaningful support for an increasingly diverse workforce.

Migration to lower-cost options Ben Light, Zorro

Economic realities are reshaping how employees approach health insurance selection, according to Ben Light, VP of partnerships at ICHRA platform Zorro, who predicts a surge in Bronze plan enrollments as workers feel the squeeze of persistent inflation and cost-of-living