Report: Increasing Number of Employers Offering Family-Forming Benefits

Generous benefits packages are a key part of public sector employers’ value proposition.

New data from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) suggest that fertility and family planning benefits could be a key offering for government agencies (and private sector employers) in the year ahead.

IFEBP has tracked fertility and family-forming benefits throughout the past eight years. According to the organization’s new Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Report, 421% of organizations are now offering fertility benefits.

“The advantages of these benefits include attracting and retaining key talent, saving on healthcare costs, matching benefits to diversity, equity and inclusion goals, and simply supporting the overall well-being of their workforce,” according to an IFEBP statement summarizing the report’s findings.

This year’s report includes benchmarking data from 625 organizations, representing nearly 20 industries and ranging in size from fewer than 50 to more than 10,000 employees. The organizations taking part reported on benefits such as retirement, health care, life insurance, survivor benefits, voluntary benefits, paid holidays, vacation, paid-time-off banks, disability benefits, paid and unpaid leaves of absence, work/life benefits and executive perquisites, for example.

Overall, this year’s analysis found organizations increasing their fertility-related benefits, with Julie Stich, vice president of content at IFEBP, attributing a steady increase in fertility and family-forming benefits such as medical coverage, paid leave and financial assistance to their “high value by talent, regardless of gender identity or relationship status. These types of benefits are also “a positive way to create a more inclusive workplace,” Stich said in a statement.

“If an employee is struggling with infertility, adoption delays or the related expenses, their work may suffer in the form of productivity loss, absenteeism or presenteeism. Offering family-planning benefits can alleviate those stresses while supporting mental and financial well-being,” Stich added.

“The increasing number of plan sponsors offering family-forming benefits indicates that they are a highly-valued benefit by employees. They are also a valuable way for employers to build community and show their care and support for employees and their families, while offering a strong attraction and retention benefit.”