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Press release

Decline in employee well-being signals need for innovative, personalized health benefits, says Mercer Marsh Benefits report

New York | May 13, 2025

Mercer Marsh Benefits, a combination of experts from Mercer and Marsh, businesses of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), today released the results of its 2025 Health on Demand report. The report features the results of a survey of over 18,000 employees across 17 markets about their health and well-being priorities.

“Geopolitical conflicts, extreme weather and the changing world of work are affecting employee well-being, with our survey finding that the percentage of employees feeling physically and mentally well declined from 82% in 2023 to 74% this year,” commented Hervé Balzano, Mercer Marsh Benefits’ Global Leader and Mercer’s Health President. “Benefits, however, remain a crucial source of security for employees and a competitive advantage for employers. To maintain this advantage, employers must adapt their benefits to meet the evolving needs of the workforce, while balancing business constraints.”

Healthcare affordability challenges persist

As healthcare costs continue to rise, employers can build trust with their employees by ensuring they have access to affordable care. Basic benefits such as insurance coverage or discounts for outpatient prescription drugs and routine doctor’s visits are considered by employees to be most helpful to them and their families.

As life expectancy increases and individuals work longer, employers should also consider prioritizing benefits for their employees’ future. Eight in 10 (79%) employees say they would be happy if their employer helped them start to plan for their health needs during retirement.

Personalized benefits strengthen talent strategies

Only 59% of employees feel the benefits they receive meet their current needs. As needs evolve, employers have an opportunity to create more flexible benefits packages. Seventy-eight percent of employees who can personalize their benefits packages feel their employer cares about their health and well-being, compared to just 29% of those who cannot customize their benefits.

Employees who receive more benefits overwhelmingly feel more positive about their role and company. According to the report, employees who receive 10 or more employer-sponsored benefits are the most likely to say (76%) they are thriving in their current role.

Mental health remains a significant concern for employees. While nearly half (47%) of employees are concerned about mental or emotional health decline, only one in five (22%) employees say their employer provides mental health screenings. Nearly half (45%) of employees are actively looking for a new job at a different company, and 62% of those employees report feeling stressed most days at work. By taking steps to encourage colleagues' mental well-being, employers can strengthen their benefits and workforce talent strategies.

Evolving benefits to remove accessibility barriers  

Health systems worldwide continue to face heightened demand and limited resources, making it more difficult for employees to secure access to timely, high-quality care. Four in five (79%) employees report having delayed seeking healthcare over the past two years, primarily due to financial reasons (28%) and anticipated long wait times (27%).

Employees are also facing challenges associated with extreme climate events. Seventy-seven percent of employees say that events such as floods and heat waves have impacted them or their families, with 40% having faced increased expenses due to these events. Employers can work proactively to develop business resiliency plans that include benefits for employees facing financial hardship after a natural catastrophe, such as providing emergency savings and loans programs, which over a third (36%) of employees say would be helpful.

“Globally, employers are the most trusted provider of timely access to affordable, high-quality care,” commented Amy Laverock, Mercer Marsh Benefits’ Global Advice and Solutions Leader. “Employers have an opportunity to remove barriers to care as a strategic investment in both their people and the future of their organization.”

About the 2025 Health on Demand report

The 2025 Health on Demand report is based on a survey of over 18,000 employees in 17 markets and was conducted from October to November 2024. The resulting report captures employees’ perspectives to inform decisions about health and well-being benefit needs. Read the full report here.

About Mercer Marsh Benefits

Mercer Marsh Benefits helps clients manage the costs, risks and complexities of employee health and benefits, through the combined expertise of Mercer and Marsh, businesses of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC). Marsh McLennan is a global leader in risk, strategy and people, advising clients in 130 countries across four businesses: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman. With annual revenue of over $24 billion and more than 90,000 colleagues, Marsh McLennan helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marshmclennan.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X. 

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