While 2025 may feel like it comes with its own set of opportunities, there are certain challenges that remain prevalent for HR teams. As healthcare costs continue to rise, and employees evolve their expectations, it’s critical to stay on top of these changing demands.
More importantly, how can technology—such as AI—balance cost and benefits engagement to ensure your organization stays competitive in the talent market?
The pandemic might seem like a distant memory, but its effects have heightened the awareness of mental health in the workplace. Employees now look for comprehensive mental health benefits, among other benefits such as EAPS, Women’s health programs, and wellness programs or incentives.
According to data from the 2024 Empathy Report, these are the top benefits employees find most empathetic:
Takeaway: Partner with platforms that can provide robust integrations for a wide variety of benefits and help capitalize on employee activation of your offerings.
Understanding benefit preferences by generation isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s key to maximizing your benefits strategy. Insights from over 45,000 survey responses reveal that Gen Z and Baby Boomers have vastly different expectations, underscoring the need for tailored solutions.
Statistically, only 19% of Gen Z understand how HSAs work, compared to 39% of Boomers, highlighting the need for targeted education on essentials. Similarly, while 64% of Gen Z report feeling panicked about medical expenses, only 37% of Boomers share the same fear—another indication of generational differences in financial literacy and wellness.
By aligning benefit strategies with generational values, companies can improve engagement and deliver meaningful support to every employee—whether they’re just starting out or nearing the finish line.
Takeaway: Understanding the needs of different demographics is essential when it comes to maximizing returns on your benefit costs. Utilize a tech partner that offers critical insight around these areas for your employee population.
While this data offers significant insight into what benefit gaps or opportunities HR teams may face in 2025, it also is important to look at where technology can help capitalize on solving those areas.
AI is no longer just a buzzword in HR. Advancements are reshaping how employees engage with their benefits. Platforms like Benefitsolver demonstrate how AI can supercharge benefits personalization. For instance, data from the 2025 Benefits Insight Report shows that 39% of users opted for a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA) when aided by AI decision-support tools—compared to just 17% without them.
AI doesn’t just empower employees during enrollment. With the following features, HR teams can ensure employees continually maximize their benefits year-round.
Simply put, employees don’t need to be benefits experts when AI-powered tools simplify decision-making and tailor recommendations to their unique needs.
AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empathy. Modern AI integrates compassionate features, offering reminders about mental health resources and tips to maximize coverage options. The 2024 Benefits Insights Report highlights how AI-driven benefits assistants can provide personalized, empathetic recommendations that improve not only activation rates but also employee satisfaction.
90% of chats with Businessolver’s Sofia are resolved same day; 84% stay resolved after 7 days. With tools like these, HR teams can leverage tech to focus on complex cases requiring human empathy while allowing AI to handle mundane queries quickly and efficiently.
To meet the evolving needs of employees in 2025, HR professionals must go beyond offering one-size-fits-all benefits. Personalization, powered by AI, is no longer optional, it’s essential. By leveraging smart technology, tapping into empathetic communication, and prioritizing mental health and financial readiness, organizations can create an employee benefits ecosystem that drives satisfaction, retention, and organizational success.
Looking to future-proof your benefits program? It starts with the right tools. Schedule a demo to see how AI and benefits innovation can drive results for your organization.
