2026 will reward employers, brokers, and vendors that embrace flexibility, transparency, and consumer-driven benefits design — and those that help employees make smarter financial decisions in an increasingly complex health care landscape.

"If health insurance premiums rise faster than wages and general inflation, small employers are likely to face intensified financial strain, which could accelerate the erosion of health plan sponsorship among firms with fewer than 100 workers," said Paul Fronstin, Ph.D., director of health benefits research for the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

The ERISA Litigation Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., is intended to curb meritless class-action lawsuits by clarifying the pleading standard applicable to ERISA-prohibited transactions claims.