Pharmacy spending is once again the fastest growing component of employer health plans. Specialty drugs now account for more than half of total pharmacy spend, and GLP 1 medications for diabetes and weight management are reshaping budgets. Employers are feeling the pressure: rising premiums, unpredictable claims, and employee expectations for access to high cost therapies.
Summer is one of the best opportunities schools have to reduce campus security gaps. With fewer people on site and more flexibility to schedule vendors, campus surveillance and lighting can be inspected and improved to correct blind spots before back-to-school traffic increases.
After several years of experimentation, many employers are tightening hybrid schedules or requiring more in-office days. This “return-to-office reset” is reshaping benefits strategies as organizations look for ways to support commuting employees, improve onsite experience, and maintain flexibility. What began as a workplace policy shift is now driving a broader rethinking of how benefits can reinforce culture, productivity, and retention.
Running a business comes with significant risk. Everyday interactions, such as serving customers, visiting clients or running marketing campaigns, can expose businesses to potential liability. A customer could slip on a wet floor, a contractor could accidentally damage a client’s property, or a marketing campaign could unintentionally harm the reputation of a competitor. Just one single liability incident can trigger an expensive lawsuit and have far-reaching consequences. Beyond potential settlement costs, legal defense costs—even if claims are found to be baseless—can quickly escalate into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, litigation can disrupt operations and undermine customer and stakeholder trust.
A troubling new study reveals that the majority of employees are not using all of their paid time off (PTO), costing them and their employers.
As mid-year approaches, employers sponsoring benefit plans should begin preparing for upcoming Form 5500 filing obligations. For many calendar-year plans, Form 5500 filings are due by July 31, making June an ideal time to confirm whether filing requirements apply and ensure needed information is being gathered.
Self funding is no longer just for large employers. In 2026, small and mid sized businesses are embracing level funded and partially self funded plans at record rates. Rising premiums, greater access to stop loss coverage, and improved data analytics are making self funding a viable option for groups as small as 25–50 employees.
As the Iranian conflict continues to unfold, cyberattacks on businesses and infrastructure continue to escalate. On March 12, a cyberattack targeted medical technology company Stryker Corporation, reportedly wiping more than 200,000 devices worldwide and deleting 50 terabytes of corporate data.
Amid a steep rise in accident severity and litigation costs, commercial auto insurers are turning to telematics technology to improve risk assessment and help stabilize a market under financial strain.
Forklifts play an important role in moving materials safely and efficiently in many workplaces. However, even a simple task like getting on or off a forklift can lead to serious injuries if not done correctly.
