Family Forming Benefit Trends

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans [IFEBP]

The latest Talking Benefits podcast episode dives into family forming benefits, or any benefit that is helpful in assisting workers in starting or growing a family. It can take the form of a specific benefit offering or time off on either a paid or unpaid basis.

Pod squad members covered the following topics under the “family forming benefits” umbrella:

1. Fertility benefits, including the actual diagnosis of infertility, plus tests and services like physical exams, medications, lab tests, genetic testing, IVF, non IVF treatments, and egg harvesting and freezing.
2. Surrogacy reimbursement program—while many different families consider surrogacy for different reasons, it is the only biological pathway for parenting for some LGBTQ couples or individuals.
3. Adoption, including resource or referral services, financial assistance, and leave.

They also talked about the reasons to offer family forming benefits. It’s important for employee recruitment and retention, it demonstrates an employer’s support for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and supports employees’ mental and financial well-being.

The team spent time identifying steps an employer can take if they are looking to add or enhance family forming benefits, and discussed paid leave options surrounding these benefits.

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