Thought Leadership

Why Most Benefits Packages Fail the People They're Designed to Help

A new wave of research reveals the gap between what employers offer and what employees actually understand — and what HR leaders can do about it.

Kimberly Darling·Founder & Editor·8 min read

Latest insights

Engagement rates during open enrollment average just 34%. Here's the communication strategy that changes that.

The difference between these two accounts can mean thousands of dollars. We break it down simply.

Utilization data from 500 companies reveals a persistent gap between benefit availability and employee awareness.

When employees don't understand their benefits, even the best packages go unused. A case for investing in education.

73%

of employees don't fully understand their benefits package

— Darling Benefits Insights Research, 2026

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