As we prepare to turn the page on 2025, it’s safe to say the past twelve months have been busy for plan administrators. With ongoing inflationary pressures and instability linked to tariff tensions with the United States, many companies have had to juggle their business plans and rethink their HR strategies.
Throughout the year, the AGA team supported organizations that implemented or modified their employee benefits to attract and retain talent. Our experts also shared insights on various topics of interest for plan administrators through the AGA blog. From this, three major trends stand out that shaped the world of employee benefits in 2025. (Read to the end for a “bonus” trend perfect for the holiday season!)
1. Responding to Global Economic Conditions
Following financial challenges or business decisions related to economic uncertainty, some companies have had to implement temporary layoffs. For organizations not accustomed to letting employees go, it’s wise to understand the steps to take to ensure proper management of the benefits aspect of this decision. In an article published earlier this year, our colleague Simon Pagé explains what to do and what to avoid.
Given the context, several Canadian companies have chosen to establish or expand operations in the United States. To ensure coordination and harmonization of benefits practices on both sides of the border, a structured approach is essential. Dan Fortuna explored this topic in a post that highlights the inherent challenges.
2. Offering Group Insurance, Regardless of Company Size
Despite economic turbulence, Canada’s unemployment rate is trending downward at year-end. With a competitive job market in many sectors, not having a group insurance plan can hinder growth and retention. For SMEs, every dollar counts, and offering attractive group insurance may seem out of reach: high costs, complex processes, lack of bargaining power… Yet, once again this year, AGA helped many employers who thought they couldn’t afford a comprehensive plan with predictable costs.
Our colleague Édith Pelletier debunked five myths about plans for groups of 25 members or fewer and participated in a Q&A about our offer for companies with fewer than 50 employees. If you’re looking for solutions to meet such needs, these two posts are for you.
3. Adopting a Holistic Health Approach
Companies are increasingly aware that they must address the root causes of health issues and absenteeism to control group insurance costs and promote peace of mind among employees. Life events can also disrupt employees and their families, and HR leaders must be ready to provide support.
For example, with more than 50% of Canadians experiencing insomnia symptoms, lack of sleep can be a significant organizational issue. In our article Sleep Better, Live Better, we identify employees most likely to face such problems and solutions within their reach.
Pregnancy also raises many questions for expectant parents and employers. Investing in support for pregnant women and new mothers helps build an inclusive, sustainable organizational culture, while boosting retention and engagement. The post Pregnancy, Benefits and HR: Challenges and Tools covers measures to consider and additional products designed to meet family needs.
A bonus holiday season trend: taking advantage of the benefits included in your group insurance plan, such as travel insurance!
One of the perks of participating in a group insurance plan is that, in most cases, coverage includes travel insurance—a timely gift for the holiday break, as many employees travel to visit family and friends or simply enjoy a well-deserved vacation. Employers are encouraged to remind their staff—where applicable—about the travel insurance coverage in their plan, basic terms, and how to get more information. This recent blog post on travel insurance is an excellent resource for administrators and members—feel free to share it!
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Remember that beyond these trends, the AGA blog is a constantly updated source of information on legislative changes, industry news, best practices for effective plan management, and what’s going on at AGA. In 2025, we published over thirty posts for you. Add our blog to your favorites and follow us on LinkedIn for up-to-the-minute news!
The entire AGA team wishes you a wonderful holiday season. May the best of people brighten your celebrations, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026!