LIMRA.com and LOMA.org will be off-line for scheduled maintenance February 21, 2026 from 6 - 10 a.m. ET.
HARNESSING GROWTH SERIES
Leave Management Reimagined: Supporting What Matters
Changing worker needs and new regulations are creating significant opportunity for benefits providers to deliver new and expanded absence and leave management solutions.
Download the Infographic PDF
The Ongoing Expansion of Leave Types
Common leave types such as short-term disability, long-term
disability, paid parental and maternity leave, and paid family
or medical leave are becoming widespread.
Employers are also interested in exploring new leave types like:
 Paid caregiving
 Domestic violence/sexual abuse
 Non-FMLA medical
 Divorce/family upheaval
|
As Complexity Grows, Outsourcing of Leave Administration Is Likely to Rise
When selecting an outsourcing provider, employers look for:
- Help navigating regulatory complexity
- Integration with current HR systems
- Ability to issue payments directly to employees
- Multi-channel communications
- Coordination of different leaves and benefits
Integrated Experiences Are a Valuable Component of Absence Management
Brokers identify capabilities and integrated experiences as the biggest differentiators.
When choosing a carrier for a new disability benefit:
- Over two in three midsize and large employers would prefer an integrated absence management program + its disability products, even at a higher price, rather than an affordable standalone disability offering.
- Small employers are split 50/50 between cost savings and integration.
Elevating Experiences With Value and Integration
As leave types expand and employee expectations rise, integrated absence management is no longer optional. It’s strategic.
|
Employers that embrace outsourcing and prioritize seamless experiences will be better positioned to monitor compliance and deliver the flexibility and support today’s workforce demands.
|
Showcasing value is essential for carriers and brokers, and integrated offerings remain the
ultimate differentiator.
|
As workforce expectations evolve, employers are embracing a more strategic, inclusive, and tech-forward approach to benefits, balancing cost concerns with the need for personalization and flexibility. The integration of digital tools, AI, and broker expertise will enable organizations to better meet the diverse needs of both traditional and freelance talent.
Explore key megatrends shaping the current and future state of the workforce benefits market.
In this episode, Pat Leary, corporate VP of workplace benefits research at LIMRA and LOMA, unpacks key findings from the 2025 Harnessing Growth in Workforce Benefits study.
This study explores how employers — sponsors of defined contribution (DC) retirement plans — feel about and act upon the need for financial wellness programs in the workplace.
Uncover a wide range of research from LIMRA on life insurance, annuities and workplace benefits. Additionally, be sure to review LOMA Information Center briefs, quick queries and reports.
