It's hard to believe the year is already coming to an end; soon we'll be welcoming 2026. As we close out 2025, it's the perfect time to look ahead. Employee wellness benefits are changing fast, shaped by a rising need for more holistic and personalized support. Staying ahead of these trends now will set your organization up for success in the year ahead.
Trend 1: Holistic, Individualized Care
The future of benefits is holistic, with a renewed and necessary focus on financial and mental health.
Addressing the Financial Wellness Gap
The biggest challenge facing today's workforce is financial stress, fueled by the rising cost of living, reduced savings value, and insufficient emergency funds. This is particularly acute for Gen Z, many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck, which significantly impacts their mental health and productivity.
To close this gap, leading benefits packages will include Financial coaching and education (e.g., HSA utilization), student loan repayment assistance, and Emergency savings mechanisms. Companies that specialize in this space to research are Vestwell, Sofi, Meet Summer, and Financial Finesse.
Elevating Mental Health Support
Moving beyond basic Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), employers are expanding access to comprehensive mental health resources. This includes:
Therapy apps and digital stress management tools.
- Resilience training.
- Manager training on supporting struggling employees.
Actionable Insight:
Venbrook has partnered with the Resilience Institute to provide resilience training, assessments, and Mental Health First Aid courses designed to strengthen workplace well-being. To learn how to bring this valuable training to your organization, contact Jennifer Green at jgreen@venbrook.com
Learn more about the Resilience Institute here.
Trend 2: Supporting Diverse Workforces and Life Stages
In 2026, employee benefits will increasingly cater to a diverse range of needs and family structures, especially for the sandwich generation managing both childcare and eldercare.
Enhanced Family and Caregiving Support
Benefits are expanding to include crucial support for family building and caregiving:
- Fertility support and adoption assistance.
- Eldercare resources and expanded parental leave.
Companies such as Care.com, which offers child, senior, and pet care, and Bright Horizons, which provides on-site childcare centers and employer-sponsored solutions, are becoming essential partners in helping organizations meet today's complex caregiving needs.
The Impact of California's SB 729 on Fertility
The family-building landscape is undergoing a significant shift. In California, Senate Bill 729 (SB 729), effective January 1, 2026, mandates that large-group health plans (100+ employees) must cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
SB 729 is crucial because it uses a more inclusive definition of infertility, broadening access for LGBTQIA+ individuals and single parents by choice. For comprehensive fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support, employers should consider partners such as Maven Clinic, WIN Fertility, and Carrot.
Trend 3: Integrating Wellness with Company Culture
In 2026, wellness will no longer be a separate perk; it will be an embedded part of the organizational culture.
HR teams are achieving this integration by:
- Implementing clear policies that support wellbeing, such as flexible work arrangements (e.g., hybrid models, flexible hours).
- Establishing clear stances on work-life balance and the importance of taking mental health days.
- Increasing C-level and upper management championship in wellness initiatives, modeling healthy behaviors (e.g., using all vacation days, being open about mental health challenges).
Embedding wellness into your daily operations creates a sustainable and supportive environment.
Interested in learning more about how to embed wellness into your company's DNA?
Consider attending CultureCon, whose mission is to connect humans to inspire positive change in organizational culture. It's a great way to empower your team to become "cultural change agents."
As we look ahead to 2026, employee wellness is moving toward a more holistic and personalized approach, one that values mental and financial wellbeing as much as physical health, and embraces the diverse caregiving needs of today’s workforce. More employers are weaving wellness into everyday culture. Cheers to a happier, healthier year ahead!
If you'd like to learn more, please contact me at:
Jennifer Green
Vice President of Well-being & Engagement
jgreen@venbrook.com
949.652.6327
