New survey results, crypto benefits, ICHRA adoption and more!
What’s in this blog?
- Trending topics & news
- Benefits & compensation
- Healthcare & insurance
- Industry conversations & voices
- Latest from Agile Telehealth
The employee wellness space got a gut-check in June with the release of findings from two major industry surveys–SHRM’s 2025 Employee Benefits Survey and WTW’s 2025 Benefits Trends Survey.
Both sets of data help illuminate what’s top-of-mind for organizations and their workers when it comes to benefits. Costs are a mutual concern–for employers who are looking for ways to save on healthcare, and for employees who dream of retirement.
We’ll cover that and more in this roundup of the most interesting employee wellness news that crossed our desks in June.
Trending Topics & News
7 major takeaways from SHRM’s 2025 employee benefits survey
SHRM released results from a big industry data set, its 2025 Employee Benefits Survey. This year’s findings highlighted emerging trends like coverage for GLP-1 drugs and access to AI-powered wellness tools. Mental health, flexible leave, and tech-driven benefits access are also on the rise. Check out a complete breakdown of the results below., which can help inform your employee wellness strategy and drive strong employee engagement.
Read the full SHRM article here >>
Majority of workers say they’ll reach retirement without enough savings
Sixty-eight percent of Americans say that even working through retirement won’t provide enough savings to cover their needs. In this study of 5,000 U.S. workers, debt, caregiving, and basic living expenses were among the biggest financial burdens cited. As a result, many people are planning to delay retirement or forego it entirely. Continue reading to find out about the growing trend of “pre-retirement” and get a glimpse of how employers fit into the puzzle.
Read the full HR Dive article here >>
Benefits & compensation
Most US employers plan to shift their benefit strategy in coming years, survey shows
June saw the release of results from consulting firm WTW’s 2025 Benefits Trends Survey, and the findings indicate that a wave of change is coming for healthcare benefits in the U.S. Ninety percent of employers cited rising healthcare costs as their primary concern, up from 67% in 2023. Two-thirds of respondents said they plan to reallocate costs. Read on to learn which benefits are on the chopping block and what alternatives leaders plan to offer in their place.
Read the full HR Dive article here >>
Can your retirement plan’s investment menu include crypto?
Crypto has been a buzzword in the investment world the past couple of years, but it’s still a rarity in most retirement funds. That may soon change. The Department of Labor issued new guidance which “neither endorses nor disapproves” of plan fiduciaries adding cryptocurrencies to participants’ menu of investment options. It’s a walkback from the department’s guidance from a few years ago, which warned fiduciaries to use “extreme care” when incorporating cryptocurrency into plans. Curious how crypto could affect your benefits strategy? Click through to get the full picture.
Read the full HR Morning article here >>
Healthcare & insurance
More employers adopting ICHRAs, giving workers money to buy their own health insurance
ICHRAs allow employers to reimburse workers for the cost of individual health insurance. If you’ve heard a lot about them lately, it’s because they were set to get a big boost from the original draft of H.R. 1 (a.k.a the “big, beautiful bill”). While ICHRA provisions were scrapped from the final version of the bill, this type of account is growing in popularity. Read on to learn why more employers are putting insurance squarely in employees’ hands.
Read the full AP News article here >>
Climate change will cost your healthcare plan. Analysts want to know how much.
You might have seen some of the numbers projecting the future costs resulting from a changing climate. But how will those costs factor into your benefits spending? Extreme weather is linked to various health challenges–poor air quality, for example, can exacerbate respiratory illnesses. This article–the first of a two-part series–explores some things HR managers should be thinking about when it comes to future climate change and employee health.
Read the full HR Dive article here >>
Industry conversations & voices
Monitoring employee productivity with AI? Better benefits can restore trust
Many companies are turning to AI-driven monitoring to help them keep tabs on hybrid teams. But for some employees who are miffed about return-to-office mandates, the added surveillance feels like adding insult to injury. This article makes the case for boosting productivity by focusing more on employee wellness rather than getting hung up on metrics like keystrokes and screen time.
Read the full Benefit News article here >>
What do hourly workers want? Here’s how to best support them in 2025
At a time when many sectors continue to struggle with talent shortages and tight labor markets, hourly workers can help close the gap. Unfortunately, too many companies overlook this important segment of the workforce when designing their benefits offerings. Learning more about the needs and preferences of hourly workers can help your organization improve retention and avoid the unnecessary costs of repeat hiring.
Read the full HR Digest article here >>
A lego for your troubles–Deloitte’s well-being perks evolve
If you’re looking to cure anxiety and burnout in your workforce, just add… Legos? The popular (but expensive) building brick sets have long been a favorite way to blow off steam for children and adults alike. Now, they’re covered by the Big Four firm’s annual well-being subsidy. Most of Deloitte’s salaried employees can be reimbursed up to $1,000 a year on items that support relaxation and well-being outside of work, including things like gym equipment, spa treatments, and now, Legos.
Read the full HR Digest article here >>
Latest from Agile Telehealth
The cost of poor employee mental health on your business
When a worker’s mental health suffers, so does their employer’s balance sheet. Depression alone costs businesses an estimated $198 billion a year. The negative impacts aren’t just financial–absenteeism and damaged morale can bring down entire teams. So what can be done about it? Read on for actionable steps employers can take to promote better mental health and reduce avoidable costs.
Read the full Agile Telehealth article here >>
Can employee wellness programs decrease claims costs?
Employee wellness programs support workers physically, mentally, and financially. As it turns out, they also reduce claims costs, which leads to decreased spending for employers. This article reveals the dollar-for-dollar savings that can be achieved through supportive benefits like mental health resources and weight loss programs.
Read the full Agile Telehealth article here >>
Enhance employee well-being with virtual wellness programs from Agile Telehealth
Want to improve employee health without breaking the bank? Agile Telehealth makes it possible. Through our network of board-certified physicians and pharmacy partners, we help companies deliver high-quality wellness solutions that are convenient and accessible, often at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs.
Contact us now to discuss solutions to improve the health and well-being of your team. You can also browse our list of available programs:
