Boston Live 2027: Half-Day Benefits Conference

As healthcare costs continue to climb, employers are facing increasingly difficult decisions about which benefits to expand or scale back. Demand continues to grow for high-cost offerings such as GLP-1 medications, fertility benefits, caregiving support, and mental health services, while organizations are under pressure to manage budgets and demonstrate a ROI. How can leaders decide where to invest across pay and benefits when every dollar has to work harder? What strategies are helping control costs without diminishing the employee experience? How can leaders evaluate the long-term value of emerging benefits while ensuring equitable access? 

Workers at different stages of life can place very different value on their benefits, from family support and financial wellness to mental health and caregiving. Employers are looking for better ways to understand those needs and make benefits more relevant. How are organizations using worker feedback and benefits data to shape their offerings? How can employers improve benefits communication and utilization? What can leaders do to make sure workers know what’s available and can easily access the support they need?

Benefits often get the most attention during open enrollment, but workers’ needs don’t follow an annual calendar. Employers are looking at how to make benefits more visible and useful throughout the year, from onboarding and major life events to moments when workers need support. How are organizations changing the way they communicate benefits? What role can technology play in helping workers find and use the right resources at the right time? How can HR make benefits feel like an ongoing part of the worker experience rather than a once-a-year decision?