International benefits: Five employer learnings 

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Five employer learnings to attract and retain globally mobile employees

Explore how employers are designing, delivering, and financing insured health and risk benefit programs for a diverse, international workforce.

Global assignments have bounced back post-pandemic and remain crucial for multinational organizations, particularly those looking to expand overseas.

Our new global Mercer Marsh Benefits survey provides a unique insight into how employers are structuring their international benefits, and an opportunity to compare your organization’s benefits strategy and future plans against your peers.

We’ve reviewed the top emerging trends in the international insured benefits space, including coverage for international remote workers, inclusive benefits, cost containment measures, and more.

Here are the five key takeaways for businesses:

Attracting and retaining individuals with the required skillsets for global assignments has become increasingly difficult in today’s inflationary environment. Employers face a challenging balancing act to manage costs, compete for talent, and address evolving employee expectations and mounting people-related risks.

Employees value benefits second only to salary when considering international assignments. And, despite increasing costs, our research shows that 96% of employers are not considering reducing benefits, instead focusing on more active plan management strategies or alternative financing models, to contain spend.

Providing an attractive benefits program is a key priority for businesses that want to be employers of choice. Over a quarter of firms said that their target position for international benefits offerings was ‘above market practice’ or market leading, with the remaining 74% targeting benefits in line with the market.

Insured benefits for internationally mobile employees

Evaluate your organization's benefits strategy for globally mobile employees and compare future plans against your peers.