Christensen Group says employee benefits in 2026 are being reshaped by escalating health care costs, pharmaceutical trends, new legislation, and evolving workforce expectations. Employers face continued rising health care and specialty drug costs, driven by expensive treatments and inflationary pressures, which affect plan design and budgeting. The surge in GLP-1 prescriptions for weight loss adds to cost challenges as coverage decisions become more complex. New regulatory changes under the OBBBA expand HSAs, increase FSA limits, and introduce new child-focused tax-advantaged accounts, altering how benefits are structured. The expansion of specialty drug therapies—including biologics, biosimilars, and cell/gene therapies—further pressures plans, while fertility and reproductive health bene

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