From the Great Resignation to record inflation and mass layoffs, 2022 was full of challenging economic conditions for the industry and beyond. Benefits became even more important to workers and their families, and we saw an acceleration of trends like embedded benefits, non-traditional benefits, data transparency, and an evolution of brokers' roles. Now, new priorities are emerging.

In the face of economic uncertainty, there's less appetite for risk. Rising health care costs, a looming recession, and a cooling labor market are just some of the factors already influencing benefits in 2023. Families with employer-sponsored plans now pay 47% higher insurance premiums than a decade ago. But there's hope on the horizon: Empowering people to understand their benefits helps them make better decisions. That's why I believe 2023 will see the industry prioritize members even while doing more with less. Technology will play a vital role in paving the way for better outcomes.