Don’t Let January Benefits Renewals Get Lost in the Year-End Shuffle

Posted by Brian Honan on November 5, 2025 in Human Resources

Why Early Strategy — Not Last-Minute Panic— Drives Better Results For many companies, January is the biggest month of the year for employee benefits renewals. Roughly 60% of employer health plans are renewed on January 1, setting the stage for a full year of coverage, costs, and employee experience. That makes the months leading up to January a critical planning window, yet it’s also one of the busiest times of year for HR and company leadership. Between budgets, bonuses, holidays, and year-end reporting, benefits decisions can easily get pushed to the back burner. The result? Rushed renewals, missed opportunities, and plans that don’t reflect your company’s goals. A January Benefits Renewal Deserves More Than an “As-Is” Rollover If your broker’s renewal conversation looks like a quick review of your current plan and a single “sign-off” option, you’re not getting the partnership you deserve. Renewal time should be a strategic...