Why Employers Should Offer Fertility Benefits
Supporting Workforce Diversity and Family Planning Options
As the modern workforce evolves, so do employees’ expectations and needs. As organizations look ahead to benefits packages for the coming year, many are prioritizing fertility and adoption support. In an age where balancing career ambitions with personal life goals is more important than ever, employers who provide comprehensive fertility benefits position themselves as forward-thinking and inclusive. These benefits help attract and retain top talent and contribute to a more engaged and productive workforce.
Top 3 Reasons Why Fertility Benefits Matter
Fertility issues affect a significant portion of the workforce. According to the CDC, about 10% of women in the U.S. have difficulty getting or staying pregnant, and as many as one in six couples experience infertility. These statistics don’t even account for the increasing number of LGBTQ+ employees or single individuals who are also exploring options like adoption, surrogacy, and fertility treatments to build their families. By offering fertility benefits, employers can support a diverse workforce that spans various family structures and planning needs.
- Attraction and retention of top talent: In a competitive job market, employees look for more than just salaries and traditional health insurance plans. They want benefits that address their full spectrum of life needs. Fertility benefits have emerged as one of the key offerings that can set an employer apart. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of employees interviewed would switch jobs if fertility benefits were offered. Companies that proactively offer these benefits show they are invested in their employees’ personal and professional lives, making them more attractive as an employer of choice.
- Supporting diversity and inclusion: Offering fertility benefits is a step toward fostering a more inclusive workplace. Employees with varying family dynamics, including same-sex couples and single individuals, may require fertility treatments or family planning support to build their families. By providing these resources, companies can demonstrate their commitment to supporting all employees, regardless of their path to parenthood. This inclusivity helps build a positive workplace culture and increases employee loyalty.
- Reducing stress and improving productivity: The emotional and financial stress of fertility treatments can have a significant impact on employees’ mental health and job performance. Fertility treatments are expensive, with some IVF treatments costing over $20,000 per cycle, often requiring multiple cycles for success. A study by Mercer L.L.C. revealed that while some employers offer fertility benefits, only 27% cover IVF, and 39% provide no family-building services at all. Without financial assistance, employees may feel overwhelmed, leading to increased stress, absenteeism, and even burnout. Employers can reduce this burden by offering fertility benefits, allowing employees to focus on their work and feel supported during a deeply personal journey.
Partnering with Multiple Vendors and Offering the Power of Choice
Offering fertility benefits is essential, but the value of partnering with multiple vendors cannot be overstated. Employees have diverse family planning needs, and no single provider can effectively cover all options. By offering multiple vendors, employers ensure employees have access to the right services for their unique situations. Since a large portion of infertility care is often not covered by health plans, many individuals face high out-of-pocket costs for treatments. Our recent Broker Pulse Survey revealed that brokers increasingly seek to add fertility services to their benefits portfolio due to high demand. Providing fertility benefits can lead to transparent healthcare savings, improved employee morale and loyalty, and help attract a diverse pool of job candidates who prioritize inclusive benefits.
Support for a variety of needs: Fertility journeys are rarely one-size-fits-all. Some employees may need support for IVF, while others might be exploring adoption, surrogacy, or egg freezing. New Benefits—a premier aggregator of over 40 non-insured benefits—partners with multiple fertility vendors to provide employers with a diverse range of services to offer employees. This empowers employees to choose the family-building option that best fits their individual needs, whether it’s medical treatments, financial counseling, or legal assistance.
Personalized and flexible plans: Different employees have different preferences and timelines when it comes to family planning. Offering a range of vendors allows for customizable solutions, giving employees flexibility in choosing the level of support they need. For example, one employee may prioritize fertility treatments or family planning coaching, while another might focus on menopausal support. Fortunately, New Benefits offers multiple solutions. A multiple-vendor approach ensures employees can access personalized care, rather than being limited to a single option.
Better access to cutting-edge technology, treatments, and networks: Fertility technology is advancing rapidly, and not all providers offer the same services or innovations. Partnering with multiple vendors allows employers to give their employees access to the latest and most effective treatments and a wide range of networks. This could include everything from advanced genetic screening and egg-freezing services through WINFertility to holistic wellness programs and access to a nationwide network of clinics and discounts through Kindbody. Employees benefit from having access to a broader range of options, increasing the chances of successful outcomes.
Conclusion: Investing in the Future of Your Workforce
Fertility benefits are no longer a luxury—they are essential to a well-rounded benefits package that meets the diverse needs of today’s employees. Employers who provide these benefits not only show a strong commitment to their workforce’s well-being but create a more inclusive and supportive environment. However, the real power lies in offering employees the freedom of choice through multiple vendors.
New Benefits has over 30 years of experience as a leading aggregator of top-tier healthcare and lifestyle solutions. We provide access to vetted fertility vendors and offer employees a range of options—from IVF and surrogacy to egg freezing, menopausal support, and holistic wellness services. Partnering with New Benefits allows employers and brokers to offer this invaluable power of choice, empowering employees to select the best services for their family planning and fertility needs.
In an era where work-life balance and personalized benefits are paramount, offering fertility and family planning benefits is an investment in both the future of the workforce and the company. Employers that embrace this will stand out in attracting, retaining, and supporting top talent for years to come.
