Primary Benchmarking Sources
| Source | Focus | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey | Premiums, cost-sharing, plan types by employer size | National benchmarks; widely cited | Free |
| Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans | Cost trends, plan design, cost management strategies | Mid-to-large employer benchmarks | Paid |
| Willis Towers Watson Benefits Trends Survey | Total rewards, strategy, emerging trends | Large employer benchmarks | Paid |
| SHRM Employee Benefits Survey | Benefits offerings breadth, voluntary benefits | HR professional benchmarks | Free to SHRM members |
| UBA Health Plan Survey | Regional and industry data from broker-sourced plans | Regional and industry-specific benchmarks | Available through UBA partners |
Using KFF Data
The KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey is published annually in September and is the most widely cited source for employer health benefits data. It covers premiums, cost-sharing, plan types, and employer contributions by employer size, industry, and region. The survey is free and available at kff.org.
Industry-Specific Benchmarks
IQ Insight
National benchmarks are a starting point — but industry-specific benchmarks are far more relevant for competitive positioning. A manufacturing company competing for skilled tradespeople should benchmark against other manufacturing companies, not against tech companies or healthcare organizations. Invest in industry-specific benchmarking data for your top clients.