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How can SMEs thrive amid aging workforces and health concerns? 

For small and growing medium-sized companies (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, people are their strongest assets. Knowing where to invest limited budgets to build a stronger workforce is vital for a thriving business. 

Employees are concerned about declining physical and mental well-being 

Our Health on Demand 2025 study found that worries over declining health affect employees across all age groups, and employees at SMEs are no exception: More than four in 10 worry about declining physical, cognitive, or mental and emotional health.

Percentage of employees at SMEs expressing concern about declining physical, cognitive or mental and emotional health

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With physical health and cognitive decline being the top concerns among employees, benefits to support physical and mental health are vital to sustain talent engagement and retention. 

Physical and mental health benefits rank among top 10 for most valued benefits for SME employees

Mental health:

  • Mental health screenings
  • Insurance for the cost of mental health

Physical health:

  • Preventive cancer screenings
  • Insurance for doctors’ visits
  • Insurance for prescription drugs

How can SMEs maximize the potential of aging employees in this longevity economy? 

By 2030, one in four people in Asia will be over 60. As the region revises its national retirement and reemployment policies, both employers and employees need to rethink their approach to managing extended working lives and strategies to maintain their health and well-being with care. Prioritizing health spans through preventive health and wellness programs can improve the quality of their personal and professional lives in later years. 

SMEs that value flexibility and choice in their benefits plans can help employees stay healthy and reduce anxieties over their health. Size shouldn’t limit your organization’s ability to offer benefits choices and the health coverage your employees need.

SMEs power our communities, yet many face hidden costs of employee ill health. Employers who proactively prioritize health and safety through prevention, access to care, and supportive workplace policies, can boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve talent attraction and retention. Investing in workforce well-being is an investment in the long-term viability of the business. 
David Branagh, Commercial Segment Regional Leader, 
Mercer Marsh Benefits Asia

How can Marsh help your business provide inclusive and cost-efficient employee benefits? 

Marsh helps businesses provide employee benefits from as little as one employee with: 

  1. Locking in costs with fixed-rate or capped-rate-increase contracts for multiple years, regardless of inflation and claims performance.
  2. Access to a comprehensive range of insurance lines through our global network and partnerships.
  3. Digitized benefits and administration of benefits for increased convenience.
  4. Proprietary benchmarking data on benefits and discounts on health and wellness solutions, through our exclusive Benefits Club. 

In this war for talent, how competitive are your current benefits to attract and retain key talent? 

Take this simple assessment to find out how competitive your benefits are in under five minutes.
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