Articles & Insight
At Aon, we need to keep up-to-date with everything that’s going on in employee benefits, so we can give you the best service and support. We’ll share the highlights here regularly, so you can keep abreast of changes affecting the sector.
Also, our experts are often approached by the employee benefits media when they need an experienced perspective, or fresh research into new and emerging issues in the market, as well as inviting them to comment on hot topics in the media. The resulting pieces are great food for thought, so we’ll include them here too.
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COVID-19: The impact on broking and the relationship with health management
January 2021
In these volatile times it is more important than ever that businesses take a proactive approach to the upcoming renewals of their insured employee benefit programs. There are plenty of challenges to address; we take a look at current market behaviour and the impact which COVID-19 has had.
Global Medical Trends: The 101 on how they impact businesses
January 2021
As we enter 2021, employers will be looking at their health and wellness strategies for the year ahead and planning their budgets for PMI renewal premiums. But 2020 was a year like no other with the private medical sector enduring significant shake ups likely to affect medical costs across the board.
Four things we can learn from children about how to create happy employees
November 2020
Children spoke in depth about how their relationships with others can affect their wellbeing; socialising and being able to talk to others were also seen as highly important – this need for trust and reliable support is echoed in the workplace.
International Men’s Day 2020 - What can employers do to improve men’s health?
November 2020
Founded in in 1999, International Men’s Day is relatively new compared to International Women’s Day which was first celebrated in 1909. It is not intended to compete against International Women’s Day, but exists to highlighting men’s experiences, the positive value they bring to the world, and to raise awareness of men’s health.
Supporting gig workers’ wellbeing during COVID-19
October 2020
Aon expert Matt Lawrence takes a look at the key challenges organisations face in supporting gig workers’ wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides insight on how employers can provide holistic support which is inclusive of their whole workforce.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Workplace awareness campaigns must focus on self-checking”
October 2020
COVID-19 has been high on the priority list for businesses this year, but many other critical illnesses remain as prevalent as ever. Cancer hasn’t gone away. According to cancer charity Breast Cancer Now, there are 55,200 new cases of breast cancer in the UK alone.
Supporting menopausal women in the workplace
October 2020
Women are staying longer in the workforce than ever before. ONS figures in March revealed that the number of older women in work has increased by 51 per cent since 2010, when there were changes to the state pension age.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: How employers can help provide support for employees
September 2020
Mental health issues have been on the rise long before COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicted back in 2012 that depression would be the leading cause of disability and ill health by 2030.
From the experts: tips to help you find out what employee benefits your employees want
August 2020
Employee benefits are one of the key ways companies can attract and retain prospective employees while inspiring and engaging their current workforce.
Drop in employment rates among older workers highlight need for financial planning for unforeseen circumstances
August 2020
A significant drop in the number of over 65s in employment between March and May 2020 has fuelled speculation that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people into early retirement, but experts fear many will retire on inadequate savings.
How technology can help support financial wellbeing
August 2020
We all know the cliché ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’, but it’s surprising how often people forget this simple financial truth.
Women’s Health: Supporting breastfeeding at work
August 2020
To commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, we take a look at how employers can support breastfeeding mothers’ when they return to work.
Mental health crisis likely if nothing done to improve provision
July 2020
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could result in a UK-wide mental health crisis if nothing is done to address the issue, industry experts have warned.
Increase in anxiety levels and lockdown-related loneliness, ONS figures reveal
July 2020
Lockdown has brought about a significant increase in the numbers of people reporting high levels of anxiety and associated loneliness, with 19 million adults in Great Britain affected, new figures from ONS have revealed this month.
Tips for maintaining a productive workforce during lockdown
June 2020
As lockdown continues it is becoming evident that a new way of working is here to stay, in the medium-term at least. COVID-19 has forced large proportions of the UK workforce into their homes and businesses are striving to maintain business-as-usual in a time that is highly unusual.
Why technology will be critical in supporting employees’ financial wellbeing
June 2020
There are a wide range of solutions available to employers in this space. Resources such as a financial wellness portal to support with awareness and uptake of financial benefits is a great start. Discounts platforms offer a way for employees to be thriftier with their spending. Pension and savings modellers can offer a clear picture of an individual’s long-term financial outlook and can be highly effective when paired with the financial education programmes.
How to keep your workforce physically active while working from home
June 2020
Working remotely will invariably have an impact on people’s physical health. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a negative one.
Greener travel alternatives given funding boost as people encouraged to leave cars at home
June 2020
Commuters are being encouraged to walk or cycle to work following an emergency new initiative announced by the government last month, which will see councils in England reallocate road space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Why kindness should be at the heart of your company culture
May 2020
With kindness the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, we take a look at why kindness should be at the heart of your company culture.
Budget 2020: What employers need to know
April 2020
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his debut budget in early March where he announced a raft of emergency measures to help combat the devastating impact of Covid-19.
Aon survey shows growing importance of environment and sustainability issues to staff
March 2020
Respondents to the tenth annual Aon Benefits and Trends Survey 2020 said the surprise trend came seventh as the ‘most important employee expectation’ for the first time.
More employers communicating value of EVPs to workforce
February 2020
There has been an increase in the number of employers communicating their Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) to their workforce, new research from Aon has found.
Benefits trends: reviewing and communicating total reward
February 2020
In our fast paced and ever-changing world where people change jobs every five years on average and recruiters can send messages to your employees 24/7, ensuring that your employees understand the total value of their package has never been more important.
National Sickie Day: Preventing and managing employee absence
February 2020
Aon expert Charles Alberts provides his thoughts on National Sickie Day – and looks at how companies can help prevent and manage employee absence.
40% of employees at breaking point due to work-related stress
January 2020
Two-fifths of working adults are close to breaking point at work, according to a new study.
Employers focus on emotional and financial wellbeing while Aon warns physical health should not be overlooked
January 2020
There’s been a ‘significant shift’ in employer focus towards staff emotional and financial wellbeing, the latest UK Benefits and Trends Survey 2020 from Aon has revealed.
Increasing numbers of people are struggling with debt, charity warns
January 2020
A leading charity has warned they’re seeing ‘record numbers’ of people struggling with debt, thanks to ‘unexpected life events’ such as unemployment, illness and reduction in earnings.
Tips for rolling out a new employee benefits scheme
January 2020
An employee benefits scheme can have numerous advantages for employers - including talent retention and attraction. But ensuring a good roll out and engagement is crucial.
Wellbeing and technology - has wellbeing finally broken through?
November 2019
Given the massive growth over the past few years in health wearables and apps, from Fitbits to activity trackers and the rise in popularity of complementary medicine, it’s safe to say that wellbeing is now mainstream..
Gen X not saving enough for retirement
November 2019
Employees born between 1966 and 1980 - the so-called Generation X - are not saving enough for retirement and now do not have enough time to top up their savings, new research has found.
Supporting all our people with Mental Health First Aid
November 2019
At Aon we practice what we preach. We know that it is essential to enhance and protect the mental health of our people while encouraging other employers to do the same.
That's why we embarked on our mental health strategy for our UK colleagues in 2016. We set a number of objectives, but raising awareness, challenging stigma and creating an environment where all colleagues feel safe and comfortable to talk about mental health was key. We have a vision that mental health should be treated equally to physical health.
Return on investment is dead. It’s about return on health.
October 2019
There’s a ticking time bomb in the workplace. As a professional services firm, we’ve seen for a long time that we’re all getting older, living longer but less healthy lives. This is putting traditional benefits under strain. The outcome of companies claiming more – and without enough initial investment to replace that money – is that premiums will increase. The issue with this situation in a typical return on investment model is that you might spend £1 and save £2 on the benefits you offer, but you might also pay a big lump sum later in that employee’s working life because they get sick. So is that really return on investment overall?
Infertility: how employers can support their employees through fertility issues
October 2019
Her employer supported her at a time when nothing was more important than helping the treatment to work. She needed time away from work, yet because of her employer stance, she didn’t need to lie about it. She could go to appointments, try to relax, working from home if, for instance, facing rush hour was desperately hard when she felt so vulnerable and needed to be calm. Her manager and employer simply understood.
Mental Health in the Workplace Across the Generations
October 2019
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that a record 32.54 million people are in work in the UK; a statistic that looks fantastic on the surface and one that many will celebrate, particularly from a political standpoint. However, mental health issues in the workplace and presenteeism because of mental health is also at an all-time high, with 22% of employees going into work in 2018 despite feeling mentally un-well – up from 18% in 2016.
Employers: understand employee wellbeing business goals to avoid health and cost challenges
September 2019
By nature, wellbeing is a complex issue. Incorporating a range of factors – such as physical health, mental health and financial wellbeing – it’s highly individualised.
Retirement age should be moved to 75, says think tank
September 2019
The Government should increase the state pension age to 75 in order to tackle the challenges of an ageing population, a think tank has said.
Health and wellbeing: Pathways to better health
August 2019
According to the World Health Organisation’s Tackling Chronic Disease 2010 report, 80 per cent of the total cost of chronic illness worldwide can be attributed to 15 chronic health conditions.
Health and wellbeing: The key challenges for employers
August 2019
Everything in health and wellbeing boils down to employees working optimally: you want your people to be at the top of their game for as much time as possible.
Health and wellbeing: it’s happening in a workplace near you
August 2019
In a series of three articles, Principal Consultant Richard Morgan explores the current issues around health and wellbeing...
Employers with wellbeing strategies in place doubles in three years
August 2019
The number of UK firms with a wellbeing strategy has increased by 130% over the past three years.
Rise in consumers struggling to pay back credit card bills, say lenders
August 2019
One in four lenders has seen an increase in consumers being unable to pay credit card bills, according to the Bank of England.
Six considerations for supporting an older workforce with benefits
July 2019
As employee benefits have the potential to have a huge impact on the wellbeing and work/life balance of employees, it is imperative to ensure they cater to all generations.
Yearly average commuting time equates to two weeks, and £5.3bn in lost productivity
July 2019
Employee commutes have become so long that they are the equivalent of a two week period, research has revealed.
One in twelve continue to work beyond retirement
July 2019
One in twelve men and women in their 70s and over are choosing to stay in work, according to new research.
Futureproofing employee benefits: The ultimate guide for employers
July 2019
Futureproofing your employee benefits isn’t just beneficial for your employees – it’s also good for your business. Ensuring that your benefits are suitable for your current workforce means that uptake is likely to be higher, and therefore your return on investment is greater.
Action plan for employers: The impact of the Lifetime Allowance on lump sum death in service benefits
June 2019
Our recent research of over 1,000 clients shows that just a third of employers have taken actions to address the impact of lump sum death in service benefits on the Lifetime Allowance, by using Excepted Death in Service cover.
Mental health at work: an employer’s guide
June 2019
Aon’s Charles Alberts, head of health management gives the low-down on workplace mental health.
Concerns over care costs preventing retirees from enjoying retirement
June 2019
Pensioners are ‘holding back’ from spending in retirement due to concerns around care costs, new research has revealed.
Mental health in the workplace: more needs to be done
June 2019
The majority of managers (two in three) say they would be able to promote mental wellbeing within their teams despite less than half admitting they would be unable to spot mental health issues within themselves, a new survey from mental health charity Mind has revealed.
Employers: How to help employees avoid Lifetime Allowance (LTA) breaches
May 2019
A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that numbers of those breaching their Lifetime Allowance protections is high.
Engaging a multi-generational workforce with employee benefits
May 2019
We’ve seen various reports recently stating that millennials are less likely to engage with rehabilitative benefits, preferring instead to opt-in to lifestyle benefits such as discounted retail vouchers or gym memberships.
The final phased increase to automatic enrolment contributions should not be viewed as “job done”
May 2019
On April 6th this year the UK saw the final phase of the increase to automatic enrolment contributions, and there was a collective sigh of relief from Finance Directors, HR departments, employee representatives and pension advisors for its successful communication and implementation. However, it shouldn’t mask the fact that there is still a large issue regarding underfunding pensions which needs to be addressed.
Pensions knowledge gap prevalent across millennial generation
May 2019
A significant proportion of young people in their 20s and 30s are confused about pensions and how they work, as experts call on the industry to do more to improve pensions engagement among young people.
Research finds link between workplace eyecare benefits and improved health and wellbeing
May 2019
Employers who offer eyecare benefits are likely to see improved health and wellbeing across their workforce as new research discovers a correlation between the two.
Less than a fifth of employers are managing staff mental health
April 2019
The health and wellbeing of staff is still misunderstood, yet employers who get it right can enjoy the positive effects of loyalty, engagement and productivity, according to a group risk trade body.
UK’s young adults suffer workplace stress more than older workers
April 2019
Millennials are experiencing sleep deprivation and weight loss due to workplace stress, research by a healthcare employment firm has found.
Are you aware of the link between financial issues and mental health?
April 2019
Those struggling with mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders are more likely to also be struggling with debt and other financial problems, new analysis has found.
New parental bereavement leave introduced
April 2019
Parents and primary carers who suffer the loss of a child will be entitled to at least two weeks’ paid parental bereavement leave from April 2020, it has been confirmed.
Research shows law firms are working to align financial wellness, wellbeing and benefits strategies
April 2019
The HR in Law and Aon Employee Benefits Survey 2019 highlights that employee wellbeing is increasingly important within law firms as they work to align financial wellness, wellbeing and benefits strategies.
Employees using personal apps for workplace communications without knowledge of HR
March 2019
A significant number of staff in the retail, hospitality and entertainment industries are using ‘unapproved’ smartphone apps and social media platforms for work-related communications, a new study by app provider Speakap has revealed.
Employee benefits falling short of employee expectations
March 2019
Employers are placing too much emphasis on ‘glitzy’ total reward packages and employee benefits instead of addressing salary expectations and career progression opportunities, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has found.
Employers need to think again about how they support members at retirement
March 2019
The 2019 Aon Benefits & Trends survey shows that despite companies’ willingness to help their employees make the right decisions when it comes to retirement, the tools and processes they utilise are not currently meeting these needs.
Concerns raised over pension freedoms as confused savers face double jeopardy from pension withdrawal
March 2019
Savers could be facing ‘double jeopardy’ as a total of £3.3bn transferred from pension pots into bank accounts has resulted in unnecessary tax charges in addition to the erosion of pension value due to inflation, financial experts have warned.
Employers say ‘employee experience’ is increasingly important
March 2019
The 2019 Aon Benefits & Trends survey highlights that having an employer value proposition (EVP) is gaining in importance to organisations. The report also shows that 51% of employers plan to develop their ‘employee experience’, or EVP - a significant increase on the 16% of last year.
How ready are businesses for the increase in contribution levels under auto-enrolment?
March 2019
UK employers must act to ensure their workplace pension schemes meet regulatory requirements as automatic enrolment contribution rates are due to increase again this year.
Too few employers focus on key health risks despite positive impact on employees and benefit expenditure
February 2019
The 2019 Aon Benefits & Trends survey shows that despite mental health being the most common health condition for employers to tackle, only 41% have a formal approach in place, changing little since 2017. The report also highlights that just 11% of employers have strategies to target cancer risks, while 21% target musculoskeletal conditions and only 9% heart and cardio strategies.
Benchmarking holiday, parental leave and flexible working policies for first time
January 2019
The 2019 Aon Benefits & Trends survey has benchmarked employers’ annual leave, parental leave and flexible working policies for the first time.
97% of employers see employee expectations of their workplace changing
January 2019
The 2019 Aon Benefits & Trends survey shows that 97% of employers agree that employees’ expectations of their experience in the workplace are changing.
GIP products ‘jewel in crown’ of employee benefits, GRiD says
December 2018
Employers offer group income protection (GIP) products to staff to help improve recruitment and retention, research has shown.
Budget promise to increase mental health spending may not go far enough
November 2018
NHS mental health services in England will receive an extra £2bn in funding by 2023-24 which will see the introduction of a Mental Health Crisis Service along with ‘comprehensive’ support available in every large A&E department, Chancellor Phillip Hammond revealed in his budget on Monday.
Experts warn of epidemic as work-related stress levels increase
November 2018
New figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed a worrying rise in work-related stress among UK workers over the past year. 15.4 million working days were lost due to stress last year – an increase of three million from 12.4 million the previous year.
Average pension withdrawal rate increases by 1 per cent
October 2018
Our retired nation is depleting their pension funds at a higher rate according to the latest data from regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Absenteeism more of an issue among UK staff than European counterparts
October 2018
UK employees are more likely to ‘pull a sickie’ than other European countries, new research has revealed.
Child Trust Funds as an opportunity to empower young people to be interested in their finances
October 2018
In September we saw the first children who took advantage of the Child Trust Fund come of age.
Death is taboo for a third of Brits
October 2018
A third of Brits find it difficult to talk about death and 81 per cent have not saved towards a funeral, according to a YouGov poll.
Menopause has negative impact on work
October 2018
The British Menopause Society (BMS) released statistics in 2017 stating that 45% of women say they feel their menopause symptoms have had a negative impact on their work . Three quarters of women say the menopause has caused them to change their life, and more than half say it has had a negative impact on their lives.
Employers should allow flexible working hours for night owls
October 2018
UK employers should adopt flexible working hours that reflect employees’ sleeping patterns, according to researchers, following a study that showed sleep deprivation can increase the risk of death.
Staff have little time to alleviate work-related stress
October 2018
Nearly half of the UK’s employees don’t have a hobby or any sort of stress relieving activity, according to a recent survey by Obby, a learning provider that offers classes, courses and workshops on a variety of activities to Londoners.
Make the commute part of the working day, academics urge, as thousands still work while en route
October 2018
The commute should be classed as part of the working day as most employees are using travel time to check and respond to work emails, academics have suggested.
Shared parental leave fails to take off
September 2018
Research shows that shared parental leave (SPL) has not had much success in the workplace with as little as a two per cent take-up rate.
Care needs of elderly population expected to increase by 2035
September 2018
The numbers of people aged over 85 requiring round-the-clock care is widely expected to double by 2035 as experts warn that the current system is already at breaking point.
Aon reveals the state of engagement in the legal sector
September 2018
Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, has published a new paper looking at the latest trends in partner and employee engagement within the legal sector.'The state of partner and employee engagement in the legal sector' covers trends representing nearly 10,000 professionals working in predominantly the UK legal sector.
Aon develops Aon App, the first app for employees to manage all benefits on smartphones
September 2018
Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions (NYSE:AON), has developed the first app for employees to access and manage all their benefits from a smartphone - from total reward statements to full benefits enrolment, no matter where they are based.
Aon highlights the 16 tech megatrends that are changing reward, benefits and engagement
August 2018
Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions (NYSE:AON), has identified 16 technology megatrends that are now impacting rewards, benefits and engagement.
Nearly a quarter of 18 to 35 year olds do not know how a pension works
August 2018
Over a fifth of people aged between 18 and 35 are unsure of how their pension works and 45 per cent don’t know how much money they will have accrued at the time of retirement, according to research.
Government delays cold calling ban until Autumn
August 2018
The government has allowed the pensions cold calling deadline to slide until the Autumn, which may mean vulnerable pensioners could still be targeted by firms conning them out of their pension pots.
UK workers ‘unsure’ if mental health warrants sick leave
August 2018
A significant number of British workers are unsure if they can take sick leave for mental health reasons according to research by conference call facilitator, Powwownow.
Aon offers 10 tips to make Occupational Health programmes work harder for organisations
August 2018
Aon, the leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions (NYSE:AON), is offering 10 tips to help organisations maximise the use of occupational health (OH) programmes.
If your benefits programme isn’t performing, it’s likely to be one of these five digital-age reasons, says Aon
August 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has identified five of the main challenges employers have with employee benefits in a digital age, and provided advice to support each issue.
Employers ‘underestimating’ value job candidates place on workplace mental health policies
August 2018
Companies who fail to acknowledge the importance of mental health and wellbeing policies are missing a trick, a leading recruitment firm has warned.
An age-diverse workforce can benefit businesses but employee conflict remains a concern, employers say
August 2018
Employers value the benefits a multi-generational workforce can bring but many still fear that it can result in an increased risk of conflict.
Employers’ sick leave bill increases despite drop in absence rates while employers fail to effectively monitor sickness absence
July 2018
Sickness absence is costing employers more in lost working time despite fewer employees taking time off sick.
Workplace pension saving continues to rise
July 2018
Auto-enrolment has proved a ‘stunning success’ with more than 80 per cent of eligible employees contributing to a workplace pension last year.
Poor communications put employees under unnecessary stress
June 2018
Poor workplace communication creates a confused and anxious workforce who are unsure how to do their own jobs, a US-based survey has found.
Presenteeism record soars amidst concerns over stress and other ‘unhealthy workplace practices’
June 2018
The numbers of people coming into work despite illness has ‘more than tripled’ in nearly a decade, the CIPD and Simply Health have warned.
Government proposals to improve support for working carers
June 2018
Working carers could benefit from more support if Government proposals to give employees the right to request flexible working on their first day of employment goes ahead.
Employee engagement ‘priority’ for UK companies
June 2018
Employee engagement is one of the ‘top objectives’ for employers, although just a quarter of companies have defining strategic objectives in place for their benefit programmes.
Latest ONS wellbeing release reveals differences in wellbeing across age groups
June 2018
Older Brits (aged 75 and over) feel more satisfied with their social and financial lives than any other age group, despite suffering from more health problems, new data has revealed.
Employers urged to work harder and smarter to engage staff as remote working becomes global trend
June 2018
Significant numbers of the global workforce are now working remotely, with nearly 70 per cent of employees across the world ditching their traditional office set up for alternative workspaces at least once a week.
Parents confused and unclear about shared parental leave
June 2018
Working parents are still unclear about shared parental leave (SPL) criteria, despite the scheme being in place for over three years.
Aon provides tips to increase employees’ engagement with benefits
May 2018
Aon has created ten tips to help organisations increase employees’ engagement with their benefits. Aon’s 2018 Benefits and Trends Survey cited employee engagement as one of the top two challenges for employers, alongside retention. Employers also said the third biggest challenge was improving employee participation with their benefits.
Six simple ways to encourage your staff to explore their employee benefits more
May 2018
Creating the optimum benefits package for your organisation is only half the battle when it comes to encouraging employee engagement and take-up. To ensure they really connect with their benefits, an ongoing marketing and communications campaign is essential.
Aon Benefits & Trends Survey compares mental health-related issues across five key sectors
May 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), says that its Benefits and Trends Survey 2018 showed marked sector differences in the number of UK employers reporting employee stress and mental health-related illnesses.
Millennials ‘saved less’ for retirement during 2016 than in 2012
May 2018
Millennials are the only age group to experience a drop in their pension savings as new data reveals that 50 per cent of millennials were saving less in 2016 than they were in 2012.
Desk potatoes are taking over Britain’s firms
May 2018
The UK has an unhealthy workforce according to new figures which show a third don’t exercise and over half have never had a cholesterol test.
What is work-related stress? What are the issues to organisations and what's the legislation?
May 2018
Work-related stress is a significant issue, affecting individuals and employers as well as the broader society. Understanding what it is and how it affects people can help employers meet their legal responsibilities and protect the health and safety of their employees.
Why don't organisations focus on intervention?
May 2018
With 11.7 million working days lost to stress in 2015/16 (1), it's an issue that no organisation can afford to ignore. But, in spite of the moral, legal and business reasons for tackling it, few organisations have robust stress management interventions in place.
Savers ‘appreciate’ rise in auto enrolment contributions
April 2018
The rise in pension contributions have been met with widespread approval among those who have been automatically enrolled in workplace pension schemes, new research has revealed.
Three quarters of Brits are saving into workplace pension schemes thanks to auto enrolment
April 2018
Auto enrolment has led to nearly three-quarters of UK employees saving for retirement through workplace pension schemes with a significant increase in pension membership among younger workers, the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.
Shared parental leave becoming more popular
April 2018
Modern family life is changing and figures show that both parents are keen to share the time caring for their baby throughout its first year.
Aon appoints two senior hires in Scotland to help employers optimise benefits strategies
April 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has hired two senior consultants to give organisations further help with optimising their benefits strategies.
Shift in preferred workplace communication methods among US and UK employees
April 2018
A significant proportion of British and American-based employees are ‘dissatisfied’ with communication methods used by their employer, new research has revealed.
Connecting with a new generation
April 2018
People are living longer than ever but the reality is that not everyone can afford to retire when they want to and are staying in work for longer too. Add in the fact that many retirees are choosing to ‘unretire’ after leaving work and the average workplace is now a mixed age demographic indeed.
Aon says Scottish employees and employers impacted by April tax changes coming into force in April 2018
April 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has said that changes to the rates of Scottish Income Tax will directly impact certain employees who, from April, will not receive their full Income Tax relief entitlement on pension contributions and will need to start reclaiming monies directly from the HMRC.
Auto enrolment ‘not enough’ to help women prepare
April 2018
Automatically enrolling staff into a pension scheme at work has, as expected, proved a boon according to government figures, however, it falls short in helping women save for their retirement.
What does freedom look like?
April 2018
It’s now two and a half years since over-55s were given much greater control over their retirement savings. Adam Burn, Corporate Pensions Technical Manager explores what we’ve learned so far.
Pension scheme charges: nothing to see here?
April 2018
Who cares about pension scheme charges any more? Legislation has reined in the worst excesses of pension suppliers; trustees or employers keep an annual eye on provider costs
Member engagement - face to face v online tools
April 2018
Encouraging greater engagement with pensions is good for employers and employees. As well as highlighting the value of the pension benefit you provide, it can also lead to better retirement outcomes for employees. But, with a range of communication methods available to employers, determining which is most appropriate for your workforce isn't always easy.
Employees would be more productive if bosses recognised efforts
April 2018
Employees who don’t feel valued and appreciated for their efforts will display lower productivity levels, according to new research.
Smartphone fatigue affects scores of young employees
April 2018
A record number of young working people are struggling to switch off from work due to work-related calls, messages and emails accessed via smartphones received outside of the working day.
Benefits are known to be important by business leaders, but something’s not working. Here’s the missing link.
April 2018
Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the role employee benefits can play in recruitment, retention and employee engagement. Many know, for instance, that in order to maintain a productive, engaged workforce and to attract and retain talent, their employee benefits offering needs to be competitive.
Opt out rates likely to rise if employees unprepared for contribution rate increase
March 2018
Auto enrolment opt-out rates could increase if employees are not aware of imminent contribution rates changes, the Liberal Democrats have warned.
Ensure apprentices are offered group risk benefits, says GRiD
March 2018
Apprentices should be entitled to the same group risk benefits as other employees working in similar roles, Group Risk Development (GRiD) have recommended.
Active ageing more important than increases in state pension age
March 2018
The government should avoid raising the pension age as it intends this year, and instead encourage an ‘active ageing environment’, a report has recommended.
Aon Benefits & Trends survey highlights key pension trends
March 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has published the results of its Benefits and Trends Survey 2018 which sheds new light on key areas of focus for UK pension schemes.
Employers need clarity on Government’s decision to keep salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme open for further six months
March 2018
The Government’s surprise decision to extend the salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme (CCV) for a further six months should be welcomed by employees, but causes complexities for employers who have already initiated the changes.
Workers to save more under new rules from April; ideas on how to invest it
March 2018
From April 2018, millions of employees will see the amount they contribute to their workplace pension automatically increased, but few realise that they can take control of how it’s invested.
Benefits – Understanding why the landscape impacts your costs, value and ROI
March 2018
Employee benefits offered by businesses today are radically different to those available several decades ago. When employers started offering so-called workplace perks in the 1950s, partly as a response to wage increase demands from unions, they tended to focus around holiday entitlements and in some cases, minimal pension provision.
Aon Benefits & Trends Survey shows 41% of employers need to prepare for new tax regulations coming into force in April
March 2018
Aon has said that its Benefits and Trends Survey 2018 showed 41% of employers are unaware of the implications of the Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OPRA) which are coming into force on 6 April.
Women can vote but not flexibly work
February 2018
As women in the UK celebrate 100 years since they won the right to vote, they still have battles to fight in other areas of life, not least, the workplace. It is well publicised that women are paid less, even now, than men for the same skills.
Seasonal depression is more common in women than men
February 2018
Women are more likely than men to feel depressed during the winter months’ colder temperatures and shorter days, according to research by Glasgow University.
Majority of consumers want insurers to incentivise healthy behaviour
February 2018
Over half of consumers want insurance premiums to reflect healthy behaviours such as diet and exercise levels, new research has indicated.
HR must do more to retain older workers, government inquiry told
February 2018
During a women and equalities committee oral evidence session on the role of older employees, many organisations offered guidance and raised concerns about the ageing workforce, and employers’ role in preparing for it, People Management Magazine wrote.
Aon Benefits & Trends Survey says new technology will play a role in benefits communications
February 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has said that its Benefits and Trends Survey 2018 showed that 32% of employers believe new technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality, will play a part in benefits communications.
Cost of pension tax relief to reach £24bn
January 2018
Pensions tax relief is expected to climb to £24bn this year, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has predicted.
77% of people are not using financial adviser when planning for retirement
January 2018
Financial adviser services are worryingly underused according to a recent Aegon report to assess the nation’s confidence to retire comfortably.
Employers need to be more explicit in rewards communication to attract talent
January 2018
People are more likely to apply for jobs where the employee benefits are made clear, research has shown.
Majority of over-45s have not planned or spoken about care in later life
January 2018
Most people over the age of 45 have no plans in place for care in later life and are not clear on the government policy on elder care, according to a report.
Childcare company suggests employee eldercare vouchers pay for care in later life
January 2018
Like childcare vouchers, tax free vouchers to pay for long term care costs should be offered to employees, suggests a childcare chain of nurseries.
Aon Benefits & Trends Survey shows sharp increase in workplace mental health issues
January 2018
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), says that its Benefits and Trends Survey 2018 shows a sharp increase in the number of employers reporting employee stress and mental health-related illnesses - from 55% last year to 68% in 2018.
World Cancer Day: ‘Becoming empowered may just save someone’s life’
January 2018
With more than 112,000 people of working age diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year and 700,000 employees thought to be caring for someone with cancer according to cancer charity Macmillan, awareness-raising initiatives such as World Cancer Day has never been more important.
Challenging Blue Monday
January 2018
January may be a time of great change and transformation for some, but for many, the third Monday in January has long been accepted as the most depressing day of the year thanks to a toxic combination of factors including darker and shorter days, post-Christmas blues and debt issues.
PMI and pensions are most valued by staff
December 2017
Employees are showing a keenness for what the industry calls “safety net” products with pensions at the top and private medical insurance (PMI) at number two.
Grandparents who help mothers return to work to face conflict as pension age increases
December 2017
It’s not unusual that grandparents are relied on to help mothers get back to work after having children, but the rising pension age means that they too face pressure to continue working.
Government urged to extend salary sacrifice arrangements for low-paid workers
December 2017
The government is under pressure from industry experts to review salary sacrifice legislation so it benefits those on lower incomes.
Aon advises employers about impact of digital GP services on employee health strategies
December 2017
Employees that live and work in London zones 1-3 have a choice between remaining with their current general practitioner (GP) or leaving the service.
Communicate employee benefits once a month, employers advised
December 2017
Just under a third of UK employers communicate employee benefits packages to staff at least once a month, new research has shown.
What investment strategies can support people through retirement?
November 2017
Investment choices in the run up to retirement used to be simple, with most people opting for low risk options to match the annuity they bought to generate an income.
Four factors to consider when simplifying pensions
November 2017
The author of The Cat in the Hat may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of pensions commentators, but in this case he’s hit the nail on the head.
Are you communicating your pension scheme effectively?
November 2017
Employees love pensions, with a company scheme often appearing in the top most popular benefits in our annual Employee Benefits & Trends Survey. But, as they become the norm in the workplace, effective communications are essential to ensure employees get the most out of their pensions and their appreciation remains high.
Aon Health Survey shows just 4% of employers don’t see a direct correlation between employee health and performance
November 2017
The survey of 200 UK organisations also shows that health and wellbeing is rising up the corporate agenda, with 96% of employers either agreeing or strongly agreeing that they are responsible for improving employee health behaviours.
Low pay preventing staff from saving for retirement, research finds
November 2017
A significant majority of UK staff are failing to pay into pension schemes despite auto-enrolment which has been in force since 2012, the TUC have found.
Employers at risk of group risk protection breeches
November 2017
A significant number of employers may have group risk protection policies that are out of date because the age at which people can retire has changed.
DWP uses social media and celebrities to reach a wider audience for its ‘You work, your pension works’ campaign
November 2017
Social media is a big part of our digital lives – so much so that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is tapping in to reach the whole of the UK’s workforce including audiences it has, in the past, struggled to reach, such as young people.
Worrying rise in consumer debt whilst Britain struggles with downgraded economy
November 2017
Half of the UK population are “financially vulnerable”, the Financial Conduct Authority have warned, following a major household survey of 13,000 consumers.
Work-related stress - why it's time to focus on the organisation, not the individual
October 2017
Most workplace stress interventions focus on the individual, either strengthening their resilience or providing the treatment required to help them recover. But, while there's a need for these interventions, employers should focus much more on the organisation and how it contributes to employees' wellbeing.
Management commitment - what it takes to reduce work-related stress
October 2017
Management commitment to tackle work-related stress is essential. Without this it's virtually impossible to create the right culture to prevent and manage work-related stress effectively.
What are the causes of stress and what helps employees?
October 2017
Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, including minimising the risk of stress-related illness or injury. But to do this successfully, it's important to understand the causes of stress and the support available to employees.
Give working carers more support, say employees
October 2017
Those with caring responsibilities should be entitled to the same level of workplace support as working parents, according to findings of the SimplyHealth/YouGov Everyday Health Tracker which measures consumer attitudes and behaviours towards health and wellbeing.
Majority of employees unable to disclose significant personal issues with their boss
October 2017
Around two-thirds of UK employees are hiding important aspects of their lives at work, new data has revealed.
Aon's acquisition of Portus Consulting approved by Financial Conduct Authority
October 2017
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved Aon's purchase of Portus Consulting, a highly-regarded, independent UK-based employee benefits firm. Portus has a leading position in the UK professional services market, particularly the legal sector and among SMEs with 50 to 750 employees.
Thousands more receiving mental health treatment than ten years ago
September 2017
Increasing numbers of people are receiving private mental health treatment, new data has revealed.
Pensions provisions resurrected in new Finance Bill
September 2017
Staff could soon get an income tax exemption for the first £500 of employer-arranged pensions advice if the second Finance Bill 2017 passes through Parliament.
Nearly 6m workers have gone into work feeling mentally unwell
September 2017
The subject of mental health has made news headlines over the last few years, with more and more celebrities sharing their experiences of depression and anxiety.
Aon data shows only 20% of employers measure ROI of employee benefits
September 2017
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has said that data from The Benefits Score, Aon’s new strategic benchmarking tool, shows that just 20% of medium to large companies are measuring the return on investment (ROI) of their benefits programmes.
Eldercare - when will it become the norm as an employee benefit?
September 2017
People are living longer thanks to advances in medical science, and this has led to the emergence of a sandwich generation, aged 30 to 60, who need to manage their work-life balance to better cope with caring for their children as well as elderly parents.
Employers and employees warned of tax charges as a result of new OPRA regulations
September 2017
Employers and employees need to be ready for potential tax charges as a result of the new Optional Remuneration Arrangement (OPRA) rules, says Aon's Catherine Stait, and benefit redesign may be needed.
National Dementia Carers' Day 2017, Sunday 10th September
September 2017
According to Alzheimer's Research, over a third of the UK population (38%) know a family member or close friend living with dementia. It's not surprising when you consider there are around 850,000 people currently living with the illness.
Aon says employers may need significant benefit redesign as a result of OPRA regulations
August 2017
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has said that tax advantages removed with new Optional Remuneration Arrangement (OPRA) rules, mean both employers and employees will need to be ready for tax charges.
Decline in living standards as inflation surges and welfare cuts start to bite
August 2017
Working families are struggling to make ends meet, a social policy research and development charity has warned.
Ill-thought out remote working practices can damage staff health
August 2017
Badly managed remote working practices could harm staff health and wellbeing, a wellbeing specialist has warned.
Why healthy snacks may actually be bad for you
August 2017
So-called healthy workplace snacks may not be as healthy as they otherwise appear if a recent study carried out by a nutritionist is anything to go by.
Lightening up pension communications
August 2017
"Do you know what's boring? Emails from your pension scheme." This tweet, written by a millennial, did not come as a surprise to chartered financial planner, Mel Kenny, but it did make him ponder on the huge job ahead for advisers and those putting together pension communications. It's well known that millennials and consumers in general, are rather disengaged when it comes to pensions. The majority may now be signed up to a workplace pension scheme thanks to auto-enrolment, but many remain disengaged and even bored of pension-related communications.
Office workers less active than 75-year-olds
August 2017
The traditional 9-5 is creating a new generation of sedentary male middle-aged workers who are less active than over 75-year-olds, research by Edinburgh University has revealed.
Aon appoints Jerry Edmondson in new strategic communication and engagement role
August 2017
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has hired Jerry Edmondson in the new role of strategic communications and engagement proposition leader. Jerry joins the communications team with a specific focus on helping employers change employee behaviour through engagement.
Employees would move jobs for better employee benefits
July 2017
New research suggests employees would change jobs if the employee benefits on offer were more relevant to their personal circumstances.
Life milestones prompt employees to save for retirement
July 2017
Nearly half of employees are only prompted to save for their retirement due to a major life milestone such as getting married, turning a certain age or starting a family, new research has found.
Aon says musculoskeletal issues dominate in UK health data
July 2017
In a study of reports from private medical insurers (PMI), Aon found that 31% of claims were for musculoskeletal concerns, while 15% were cancer related, 4% were for mental disorders and 4% for urology.
Auto-enrolment first employee staging date
July 2017
Businesses employing staff for the first time on or after the 1st October 2017 will be required to comply with auto-enrolment on the day the first employee starts work, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has confirmed.
My Story: What we do to people's pensions matters
July 2017
Pension freedoms: freedom and choice for the average person, that's the idea anyway. It means retirees now have the power to draw their pension when and how they want. It has given people choice and complete control over how they spend their money. It sounds ideal, what could possibly go wrong?
The biggest risks to employee health - and how employers can help
July 2017
Keeping your employees healthy and happy is good for business. The workforce demographic is, and will continue to change, especially as more and more of us will need to work well into our 60s, 70s and beyond.
Aon acquires Portus Consulting
June 2017
It has been announced today that Aon has acquired Portus Consulting, a highly-regarded, independent UK-based employee benefits firm. Portus has a leading position in the UK professional services market, particularly the legal sector and among SMEs with 50 to 750 employees.
Significant differences between men and women's pension savings, report finds
June 2017
There's a "stark difference" in pension savings between men and women, a pension expert has warned, after a report reveals that men's pension income is three times bigger than women's.
Employee wellbeing - making the connections
June 2017
There's plenty of buzz around employee wellbeing, with everything from fresh fruit and fitness challenges to mindfulness sessions and financial education being promoted as key to employee happiness. But, while any of these could lead to improvements in your employees' health and happiness, understanding the connection between physical, mental and financial wellbeing can help you achieve the best results.
Financial wellbeing - is it an employer's responsibility?
June 2017
There's plenty of buzz around financial wellbeing, with everything from education and advice to loans and discounted goods being promoted as key to employee happiness. But, before bombarding your employees with the latest money must-haves, it's important to consider your role and responsibilities in their financial wellbeing.
Making health and wellbeing work
June 2017
Awareness of the importance of employee health and wellbeing is at an all-time high, with more and more organisations looking to encourage employees to transform everything from their waistlines and stress levels to their exercise regimes. And it's hardly surprising. Healthy, happy employees tend to be more productive and motivated, take less time off sick and rack up fewer claims on their health insurance benefit plans.
Presenteeism growing issue for UK businesses
June 2017
Presenteeism, where staff go to work despite illness, is becoming more of an issue for British businesses than absenteeism, it has been claimed.
Boosting click through rates
June 2017
Creating high click through rates for employee benefit communications is never easy and naturally creates anxiety about whether we are using the right medium or the right messages. So, to then be told your methods are outmoded or sub-standard is doubly disappointing. A recent, admittedly small survey written up in HR Magazine may have confirmed some HR teams worst fears, by stating that one in five HR, benefit and reward specialists admitted their employees consider their benefits communications terrible.
HR team members support up to 15 employees a year
June 2017
HR professionals are responsible for the wellbeing of up to 15 employees with a mental health condition each year, new research has found.
Closing pensions triple lock would hurt young people the most
June 2017
Young people could have the most to lose if the pensions triple lock is scrapped, new research has revealed.
What is the state of pension scheme membership in the UK?
June 2017
By next year, some seven million people will be saving into a pension scheme as auto enrolment reaches all employees. As a result, the Government calculates there has been a 37% increase in the numbers saving into a private sector pension scheme with a total of 16 million people now taking part.
Wearable technology could improve productivity despite staff reservations
June 2017
Workplace wearables can help increase productivity and staff engagement, a third of employee respondents to a survey have claimed.
Aon says employers need to comply with new OPRA regulations
June 2017
OPRA is the new term for salary sacrifice and with this change comes the concept of Type A and Type B arrangements.
Working parents go for days without spending time with children
June 2017
Workplace pressure is causing parents to go days without interacting with their children, a leading charity has warned.
How much should employees put aside for their retirement?
June 2017
All these percentages are bandied about as thresholds for good or acceptable pension saving levels. The first is the bare minimum that government has decreed is enough for auto-enrolment.
Millennials fear they may never be able to retire
May 2017
Millennials fear they may never earn enough to retire completely, after research found that those currently earning £24,000 a year would need £1million to fund their retirement and maintain their standard of living.
Helping your employees become healthier and wealthier
May 2017
With workplace wellbeing and pensions initiatives now commonplace, we should all be feeling a bit healthier and wealthier. But, while some of us may have got the exercise or pension bug, unfortunately our data suggests that, overall, there's been very little improvement in either of these factors in the UK.
Aon health and wealth study identifies four ways employers can support employee wellbeing in a changing economic climate
May 2017
The new report, 'Wellbeing: Examining the correlation between employee health and financial wellbeing' examines and interprets data from various global and regional sources, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and Aon's own research and client base data. The result is a picture of what is changing in employee health and wealth and what that means for employers.
Designing a wellbeing programme relevant to employees
May 2017
In Aon's latest whitepaper, Wellbeing: The correlation between employee health and financial wellbeing, it asks whether employers are doing enough to support employee wellbeing.
The power of sharing experiences of mental health
May 2017
Brave individuals sharing their experiences is an incredibly effective way to get conversations started about mental health in the workplace. The more people talk about mental health, the more the level of literacy on the issue improves, the more stigma is overcome and problems dealt with.
How can you help your employees access mental health care?
May 2017
We sat down with Charles Alberts, Senior Consultant at Aon Employee Benefits to explore the most common pathways for employees to access mental health care and some of the obstacles they may face in getting that care.
Staff still reluctant to discuss mental health concerns with their boss
May 2017
The majority of employees are reluctant to discuss mental health problems with their line manager, research from mental health charity Mind has found.
Mental health issues prevalent among disadvantaged backgrounds, Aon whitepaper finds
May 2017
There is a clear link between health and wealth, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds being more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, Aon has said.
Pensions triple lock under governmental review
May 2017
The pensions triple-lock scheme which guarantees a minimum increase in state pension per year could be ditched in favour of a cheaper so-called 'double lock' option.
New whitepaper highlights workplace mental health
May 2017
A new whitepaper investigating the correlation between employee health and financial wellbeing has been published by Aon which discusses the growing prevalence of mental health in the workplace.
Important benefit changes to income protection
May 2017
Are you aware of how government cuts to benefits could leave employers liable for increased payments to claimants of group income protection (GIP) schemes?
A recent employer seminar Aon held found that only 1 in 10 were well briefed on the changes that came into force on 6 April, so if you were not fully informed you are in good company.
The low-down on salary sacrifice changes
April 2017
As the government legislates for salary sacrifice changes, due to become law from 6 April 2017, Jeff Fox looks at what these changes are and how they’re likely to impact on employee benefits.
Aon Benefits & Trends Survey says 55% of employers have seen an increase in stress and mental health related illnesses
April 2017
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), says that its annual Benefits and Trends Survey showed 55% of employers saw an increase in the number of stress and mental health related illnesses.
The no-nonsense guide to implementing a successful health and wellbeing scheme
March 2017
We know that employees with a strong wellbeing are significantly more likely to be engaged at work, not to mention being generally healthier. Indeed, 92 per cent of UK employers polled for our 2016 EMEA Health survey saw a clear correlation between health and employee performance.
Aon warns Budget changes are likely to impact all employers in at least one way
March 2017
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has said that the measures introduced in this year's Budget could create significant and costly changes for employers, unless they take urgent action.
New retirees better off than working families
March 2017
A new generation of financially-secure retirees are driving income growth for a select few, new think tank analysis has revealed.
Archived Press
Aon Benefit & Trends survey shows 90% of employers want to increase engagement in benefits, but only 36% have a communications strategy
February 2017
Among the survey's key findings are that the main objectives for implementing online for flexible benefits are to increase employee engagement (85%), employee choice (76%) and retention (67%). However, Aon warns that one of the lowest-rated objectives - governance (11%) - makes it difficult for employers to understand whether a scheme is fit for purpose or whether objectives are met.
Financial stress linked to poor mental health
February 2017
There is a direct correlation between financial ill-health and mental health issues, the CIPD has said.
Aon partners with SmarterInvestment and Unum to help employees invest in tax-efficient stocks & shares ISAs simply and wisely
February 2017
Aon Employee Benefits is to partner with SmarterInvestment and Unum to offer workplace ISAs.
Scam guidance tool launched for consumers
January 2017
A new scam guidance tool to help consumers avoid pension scams has been launched by The Pensions Advisory Service.
Workplace affects health and wellbeing, say staff
January 2017
Employers should focus on creating engaging and pleasant workspaces for staff to improve employee wellbeing, a new report out this month has argued.
Aon says salary sacrifice remains a powerful benefits mechanism for employee and employer savings
December 2016
71% of delegates polled at our salary sacrifice seminar last week felt they would have to rethink benefit strategy as a result of the changes announced in the Autumn Statement. 71% percent also felt that the erosion of salary sacrifice would impact benefits negatively.
'Disadvantaged groups' would not benefit from state pension freedoms, experts warn
November 2016
So-called state pension freedoms, where early access to state pension may be granted to certain groups of people, may not benefit its target audience, industry experts have warned.
Line managers not trained to support staff with cancer
November 2016
The majority of line managers lack training to support staff who have been diagnosed with cancer and other long-term medical conditions, a new poll has revealed.
Denied flexible working requests force working mums to hand in notice
October 2016
A significant number of working mothers are having to leave their jobs because of denied flexible working requests, a new survey has revealed.
Aon warns employers to be ready for changes to state benefit
October 2016
Employers insuring Group Income Protection benefits need to be ready for upcoming changes to state provision.
Aon warns employers of immediate salary sacrifice challenges
September 2016
Employers need to communicate carefully the potential for changes to salary sacrifice legislation for all benefit annual enrolments that take place between now and December.
Proposals unveiled for tax-free financial advice allowance
September 2016
Under new government proposals announced last month, Brits could be entitled to a £500 tax-free Pensions Advice Allowance which can be withdrawn from pensions to fund financial advice.
Aon warns the Insurance Act 2015 needs to be an employee benefits priority
August 2016
Employers insuring employee benefits need to be ready for the Insurance Act 2015, which comes into effect from 12 August 2016. The Act replaces law that has been in place since 1906 and applies to all non-consumer insurance policies that incept, vary or renew on or after 12 August 2016.
Majority of employers have no policies in place to manage cancer diagnosis
July 2016
Nearly three-quarters of UK employers have no policies in place to manage cancer diagnosis among employees, research by Check4Cancer has revealed.
Discriminatory gender pricing could return in event of a Brexit
June 2016
Consumers could once again experience price variations for the same insurance products and annuities depending on their gender, if the UK votes for a Brexit in June, life insurance multinational Aegon has warned.
Increasing numbers of employers requesting auto enrolment help
June 2016
Growing numbers of small UK businesses are requesting auto enrolment support from the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) new figures have shown.
Aon clients win four top honours at the Employee Benefit Awards
June 2016
Aon Employee Benefits has supported four clients to win at the annual Employee Benefits Awards ceremony at the Artillery Garden at the HAC, London.
Aon says rising costs associated to PMI could make it an elite benefit
May 2016
Aon says rising costs associated with Private Medical Insurance (PMI) are creating pressure on HR and employers to find extra budget, without seeing any further advantages for staff.
Companies cutting employee benefits to fund National Living Wage should be 'named and shamed'
April 2016
Companies withdrawing employee benefits and reducing rates of pay in order to afford the newly-implemented National Living Wage should be 'publically shamed', Chancellor George Osborne has said.
Not enough staff holding critical illness policies to protect against illness
April 2016
Critical illness such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease affects one in 7 Brits yet just 1 in 20 are actually critical illness policy holders, new research has revealed.
On Your Feet Britain day promotes active working
April 2016
A campaign to encourage UK employees to get more active in the workplace whilst raising awareness of the adverse effects of sedentary working, will take place at the end of April.
New pensioners at risk of receiving less than full pension rate
April 2016
Over half of new pensioners set to retire in the first year of the new state pension introduction will receive less than the full rate, a new report has revealed.
Budget - Aon EB
April 2016
Chancellor George Osborne delivered the 2016 Budget on 16 March. The government had promised that this would have included an announcement on the outcome of its consultation on pension tax relief, but it has published only a summary of the responses it received and suggested that the new Lifetime ISA will address some of the issues raised in the consultation.
Grandparent leave consultation to be launched in May
March 2016
The government are set to launch their first consultation into extending shared parental leave for grandparents, it was announced during last month's budget.
Women entitled to early pension access
March 2016
Women could be entitled to withdraw their pensions earlier than scheduled in return for lower payments, if government proposals go ahead.
Lost tax relief for low earners, pension minister warns
March 2016
Low earners could be cut out of auto enrolment into workplace pensions if pension contributions are calculated with net pay arrangements, pensions minister Ros Altmann has warned.
Pensions best retirement-saving method, says IFS
March 2016
Pensions remain the most effective way to save for retirement, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said.
Budget 2016: 'benefits the next generation'
March 2016
Chancellor George Osborne has delivered his eighth budget which 'puts the next generation first'. A reduction in corporation tax, the introduction of a new lifetime ISA for those under 40 and an increase in the personal allowance threshold were among the key announcements of interest to businesses and their staff.
Aon to discuss gamification in pensions at Employee Benefits Connect
March 2016
LONDON (2 March, 2016) – Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), will discuss gamification as part of its examination of how to engage ‘Generation Z’ (Gen Z) in the workplace at Employee Benefits Connect.
Brits unaware of who to talk to about mental health issues
February 2016
A significant number of Brits do not know where to access support for mental health issues and who to ask for help, new research out this month has uncovered.
Aon Benefits and Trends Survey shows nearly 40% of employers drive Health & Wellbeing strategy without a clear view
February 2016
LONDON (24 February, 2016) - Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has found in its annual Benefits and Trends survey that nearly 40 percent of employers do not use any data to drive corporate health and wellbeing strategies or target costs. The survey also showed, however, that increasing numbers of employers want to understand health risks affecting their employee population.
Technology should be better utilised to manage employees' health and wealth on a global scale, say experts at Aon Employee Benefits
February 2016
LONDON (18 February, 2016) - Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), says technological developments are enabling employers to reach out to employees on a global basis, yet too many are still confining their benefits strategy by region, even though research has shown that there are global patterns to health and wealth risks. This is according to commercial director & head of software innovation Tobin Murphy-Coles and Matthew Lawrence, head of broking, health and risk proposition who are due to speak at Employee Benefits Connect in March.
Aon wins Firm of the Year and Best Use of Technology at Corporate Adviser Awards
February 2016
LONDON (12 February, 2016) – Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has won two awards at the Corporate Adviser awards ceremony at the Lancaster Hotel in London. It has been named Firm of the Year and received the award for Best Use of Technology by a Corporate Adviser.
Smaller employers could struggle with auto enrolment compliance
February 2016
Smaller employers have fewer resources to deal effectively with auto enrolment duties, a new report released by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found.
Unhealthy work-life balance harms family life and productivity levels
February 2016
The majority of UK employees are lacking a healthy work-life balance, creating an adverse effect on productivity levels, a new report has revealed.
State pension age increase not 'viable' if public health doesn't improve
February 2016
Brits are not 'healthy enough' to work much beyond 60, a leading economist has warned, despite government plans to increase state pension age to 68.
Millennials 'most demanding' of their employers, study shows
February 2016
Millennials require more time and support from their line managers than other workplace generations, new research has revealed.
Employee Benefits should complement - not substitute - good remuneration packages
February 2016
Employee benefits should be used alongside good wages and bonuses rather than as a replacement, a recruitment expert has advised, following research which shows that the majority of UK staff would prefer a pay rise to workplace benefits.
Chancellor promises cap on early exit fees for pension savers
February 2016
Savers wanting to access their pension funds and take advantage of pension freedoms will no longer face extortionate exit fees, thanks to government plans to cap them.
Aon's Bigblue Touch is judged as 'value for money' by independent assessment
February 2016
LONDON, (1 February 2016) - Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has announced that the Governance Advisory Arrangement (GAA) for its Bigblue Touch contract-based defined contribution (DC) scheme has stated in the Chair's Annual Report that the scheme represents 'good value for money' . Bigblue Touch is one of the first schemes in the UK to have issued its annual report and the first to have assessed value for money at both accumulation and decumulation.
Pension scheme members to enjoy additional £1bn in tax relief this year
January 2016
Brits are set to save an additional £1bn in tax relief during 2016 thanks to the increased take-up of workplace pension schemes via auto enrolment.
Global Medical Cost Increases in 2016 Expected to be 2.5 Times Higher Than General Inflation
January 2016
LONDON (14 January, 2016) - A new report from Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), estimates that the average cost increases for employer-sponsored medical plans globally will be 9.1 percent in 2016. This is 5.5 percentage points higher than the global average projected inflation rate of 3.6 percent. In the UK, the increase in the costs of employer-sponsored plans is expected to rise by 9.3 percent.
Financial concerns could be putting off savers from retiring
December 2015
A staggering one in ten Brits have said they 'never want to retire', whilst one in eight believe they will be between 71 and 80 years of age before they eventually retire. In addition, 8 per cent of young people aged between 18-24 years believe they will 'never' retire and nearly twenty per cent of those aged over 65 have admitted being 'reluctant' to give up work.
75% of employers believe they are responsible for influencing employee health, according to Aon Benefits and Trends Survey 2015
December 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has found in its annual Benefits and Trends Survey that three quarters of UK employers believe they are responsible for positively influencing employee health, yet many do not appear to be doing so in the most effective way.
Think Auto-enrolment duties are over? Think again
December 2015
Pensions and auto-enrolment are rarely out of the headlines these days. Most prominent was the October launch of the Department for Work and Pensions' controversial awareness-raising campaign, Workie, featuring a large blue monster with the slogan, Don't Ignore the Workplace Pension. It may not have been to everyone's taste, but it certainly got a lot of people talking.
Younger workforce turning more to employers for financial advice than older generations
December 2015
Younger employees aged between 18-24 are twice as likely to seek financial advice from their employer than those in their 50s and 60s, new research has indicated.
Cycle to work schemes 'contribute' to workplace health and wellbeing
December 2015
Cycling to work can improve the health and wellbeing of employees whilst contributing to higher productivity levels, new research has found.
First of kind auto-enrolment fraud arrests
December 2015
Several people have been arrested on allegations of auto enrolment fraud, it has been announced.
Computerised CBT does not benefit those with depression
December 2015
Depression is not alleviated by computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) alone, new research has revealed.
Transitional pension protection information delayed
November 2015
HM Revenue and Customs has admitted it cannot provide transitional pension protection details to those affected by the reduction in the lifetime allowance.
Aon Benefits and Trends survey 2015 prompts eight recommendations for employers
November 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has published its annual Benefits and Trends research which highlights issues faced by UK employers – along with common gaps in their management processes. Aon has set out eight recommendations to offset these challenges.
Shared parental leave to be extended to grandparents
November 2015
Working grandparents will soon be entitled to time off to help with childcare, the government has announced.
Small employers are failing to comply with auto enrolment, whilst the DWP’s Workie is met with industry criticism
November 2015
Increasing numbers of employees are concerned that their employers are failing to comply with auto-enrolment legislation, a new study suggests.
Most financial advisers expect further amendments to state pension over the next thirty years
October 2015
The majority of financial advisers believe there will be significant changes to the state pension in the future, including a move towards a means-tested model, a less generous package overall and an increase in state pension age, research from pensions provider Aegon has found.
Investors want detailed workforce metrics to assess business performance
October 2015
Human capital metrics, that is, metrics which provide measurable data about the workforce including sickness absence, workplace injury and health and wellness, are playing increasingly important roles for company investors.
Retirees not seeing the value in paying for independent financial advice
October 2015
New industry research has revealed a worrying new trend among retirees who believe they do not need to get pensions advice, despite new pension changes which came into force in April.
Middle management more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety
October 2015
Symptoms of depression and anxiety are more prevalent among staff in middle management than employees above or below them, new research has revealed.
Aon says challenges remain for auto-enrolment as it passes third birthday
October 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has warned that while there was much to celebrate as auto-enrolment passed its third birthday, challenges remain – notably the prospect of getting a further 10 million employees through the process.
Aon Employee Benefits boosts its DC team with two new appointments
September 2015
Aon Employee Benefits has announced two new appointments to its Defined Contribution (DC) team.
Aon launches Bigblue Touch 4life
September 2015
The ‘At Retirement’ service that offers drawdown, annuities and financial aggregation tools in an easy to access service
New Aon study into generational segmentation casts doubt on current practice
September 2015
Aon employee Benefits says its latest study from Martha How, reward partner, suggests current practice into generational segmentation is too simplistic and not necessarily supportive of employee and employer needs.
Open salary policies would address gender pay gap
September 2015
Operating transparent pay policies will help address the gender pay gap, says retail recruitment specialist, Retail Human Resources.
Bogus self-employed denied vital statutory benefits
September 2015
UK workers who are incorrectly registered as self-employed are missing out on vital employee benefits, Citizens Advice has warned.
Businesses are continuing to fall foul of AE duties
September 2015
Despite increased communications and guidance around auto-enrolment from The Pensions Regulator (tPR) and industry specialists, many UK businesses are continuing to fall foul of their compliance duties either from incorrect assumptions about the legislation or misinformation.
Aon works with The Pensions Regulator to give video advice on auto-enrolment
September 2015
Aon Employee Benefits has worked with The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to produce a series of videos designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) understand their auto-enrolment obligations.
Aon client ‘highly commended’ for pioneering flexible working scheme
June 2015
Media agency MEC have been highly commended at the Employee Benefits Awards for their pioneering flexible working scheme, Smarter Working.
Eldercare as a benefit
June 2015
Eldercare as an employee benefit is increasing in popularity among UK employees, research by travel insurance and assistance service provider Allianz Global Assistance has revealed.
Performance related pay - one of top priorities for reward departments
February 2015
Developing performance-related pay initiatives is one of the top priorities for reward professionals in 2015, new research has found.
Rising childcare costs
February 2015
The cost of raising a child from birth until 21 has risen to around £229,251 – a 63 per cent increase since 2003 - new industry research indicates. Experts say it has risen by almost twice the rate of annual inflation.
Shared parental leave legislation
December 2014
Shared parental leave regulations have come into force this month, despite over a fifth of HR Directors admitting they are not ready for the new legislation.
Supporting women back to work
November 2014
The government has announced a package of measures to encourage more women back to work following maternity leave.
Flex scheme gives staff 0.5% of salary plus NI savings to spend
October 2014
IDS is an independent research organisation providing information and analysis in key areas across the employment field, including HR, employment law, pay and executive compensation.
Offering flexible benefits via salary sacrifice is becoming increasingly popular among UK employers
August 2014
Nearly 60 per cent of UK employers now provide benefits funded by salary sacrifice schemes such as childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work schemes and additional pension contributions.
Employee engagement pay and reward
January 2015
Employee engagement can be improved by the use of fair and effective pay and reward strategies, Workplace Savings & Benefits reports.
Benefit communications - employers cutting corners
December 2014
Effective benefits communications can improve benefits take-up as well as staff motivation levels, says health and fitness coach Adam Strong.
The majority of UK employees say they value employer appreciation over a higher salary
September 2014
71 per cent of respondents to the research carried out by corporate gift voucher company One4all Rewards, claimed they would forgo a higher salary elsewhere in order to remain working for an employer who thanked them regularly.
Mental health getting worse research finds
August 2015
Staff mental health is ‘getting worse’ new research reveals, despite increased efforts to reduce stigma and implement workplace health initiatives.
UK businesses experiencing impact of dementia on workforce
August 2015
A growing number of UK businesses are experiencing a rise in employees suffering from dementia, new research has found.
Flexible working can improve candidate attraction and retention
July 2015
Flexible working can improve candidate attraction and retention, yet many employers are failing to make staff aware of their flexible working policy, says an industry expert.
Free absence management services underutilised
June 2015
UK businesses are failing to make use of value-added benefit add-ons, worth up to £100 per employee, multinational insurance company Aviva have said.
New online benchmarking tool from Aon provides sector insights and measurable data against competition
June 2015
Aon Employee Benefits has launched a new benchmarking database tool which provides UK organisations with market insights and measurable data compared with their competition. This online technology delivers quicker plan design benchmarking without manual collation.
Cancer screening HR backing
June 2015
HR professionals have backed regular workplace cancer screening following new figures by cancer charity Macmillan which show that more people are surviving cancer than ever before.
Improving employee resilience
June 2015
Improving employee resilience requires a strategic and sustained campaign rooted in the collective wellbeing needs of the workforce, says Charles Alberts, Senior Consultant at Aon Employee Benefits.
Tips for maintaining a healthy workforce
June 2015
Employee health is very much on the corporate agenda right now, and with good reason, says Matthew Lawrence Head of Broking and Proposition for Health and Risk at Aon Employee Benefits.
Midday mile
May 2015
Thousands of employees across the UK took part in the Workplace Challenge Midday Mile during May, as part of the first ever nationwide Workplace Health Week which ran from 18-22nd May.
Next government should do more for staff wellbeing
April 2015
The next government should do more to improve staff wellbeing, nearly a fifth of UK employers and employees have said, according to industry research.
Managers don't believe stress warrants time off
April 2015
Poor mental health, such as stress, anxiety and depression does not warrant time off work, say seven in ten UK employers.
New health Risk Forecaster from Aon helps manage corporate benefit costs
March 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has developed a modelling tool which helps companies to understand potential future benefit expenditure and to put in place strategies to help control health risk costs.
23% of employees are not taking holiday entitlements
November 2014
Just under a quarter of UK employees are failing to take their full annual leave entitlements, research from Canada Life has shown.
HR not doing enough to tackle presenteeism
November 2014
Presenteeism and work-life balance are not being adequately addressed in the workplace, despite stress being one of the most prevalent health and wellbeing issues, an industry report finds.
Staff absence and productivity levels
November 2014
Growing numbers of UK employers are recognising the cost staff absence is having on their business, a UK health insurer has said, whilst a recent Aon survey has found that employers want to better understand staff health risks in order to reduce these costs as well as improving business performance.
Holiday pay ruling
November 2014
The Employment Appeal Tribunal’s (EAT) recent ruling that overtime should be included in holiday pay has resulted in a flurry of media headlines about the possible impact the ruling could have on British businesses.
Aon Employee Benefits encourages early detection of cancer
October 2014
..with cancer incidence reaching a record high, employers are starting to respond to calls from the Department of Health to back the NHS’ fight against cancer and put services in place to encourage and ensure the early detection of cancer.
Retirement income gap between two generations of retirees
August 2015
Two industry surveys have revealed a significant retirement income gap between those retiring this year and the next generation of retirees.
Pension scammers
July 2015
Pension scammers are targeting a significant number of retirees since the pension freedoms came into force in April.
Pension freedom consultation
June 2015
A consultation to ensure pension providers are adhering to new pension freedom rules will be launched next month, the government has announced.
Denplan appoints Aon Employee Benefits as its auto-enrolment
provider
June 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, has been appointed by Denplan as its preferred supplier for an auto-enrolment solution – Aon’s Littleblue 2go.
Private pension age increase proposed
June 2015
The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has urged new pensions minister Ros Altmann to increase the private pension age to 60 by 2024.
First AE escalating fines issued
May 2015
The numbers of UK organisations receiving auto-enrolment fines have increased in 2015, data from the Pensions Regulator (TPR) has revealed.
Positive about pension reform but worry about risk amends
April 2015
The majority of UK employees hold conflicting views about pension reforms, with over 82 per cent feeling ‘positive’ about the new reforms whilst many are still concerned about the risks involved.
FCA ScamSmart campaign launch
March 2015
A campaign designed to raise awareness into the increased risk of pension scams has been launched by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Re-enrolment could pose further challenges for employers
March 2015
A significant number of employers are continuing to find auto-enrolment an administrative burden, with larger employers likely to find their on-going auto-enrolment duties particularly challenging.
Post election fears leave business reluctant to carry out pension related duties
February 2015
Fears that a new government will ‘tinker’ with pension legislation has made many UK businesses hesitant in communicating DC changes to staff as well as preparing for auto-enrolment.
Aon says the first re-enrolments are coming up fast
February 2015
Initial group of employers to auto-enrol need to review processes before key dates
A third planning retirement sooner
February 2015
New pension freedoms have motivated employees to plan for their retirement earlier than they otherwise would, industry research has revealed.
Employers burdened by AE admin
February 2015
Auto-enrolment administration is starting to have a significant impact on UK businesses, new research has indicated.
Surviving on a state pension research
January 2015
A significant proportion of the over 40s have said they could not survive on the new state pension alone, according to new research by Partnership.
TPR stepping up AE comms
January 2015
The Pensions Regulator is stepping up its auto-enrolment communications to employers of small businesses in a bid to reduce non-compliance.
Pension schemes unsustainable due to ageing workforce
December 2014
According to the OECD’s 2014 Pensions Outlook report, workplace pensions are facing several challenges which are creating solvency issues for defined benefit (DB) schemes in addition to putting defined contribution (DC) schemes into question.
New HR pension tension
November 2014
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has found in its annual survey that there is a widespread lack of understanding among employees of the value of their reward package, while uptake of total reward statements is low.
9 out of 10 want AE delay
November 2014
The majority of small employers who have yet to reach their auto-enrolment staging dates want the process to be delayed until the latest pension reform changes have been implemented in full.
TPR issues first AE breaches
November 2014
The Pensions Regulator has begun issuing out auto-enrolment fines to businesses who have failed to comply with auto-enrolment legislation.
Aon Employee Benefits integrates Standard Life auto-enrolment solution with Littleblue 2go auto-enrolment online platform
November 2014
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON) has announced that Standard Life’s ‘Good to Go’ auto-enrolment qualifying pension scheme has been integrated with the Aon Littleblue 2go auto-enrolment platform.
CAB and TPAS to give pensions advice
November 2014
The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) and Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are to give pension guidance to UK employees from April 2015, the government has announced.
Business fined for getting auto-enrolment wrong
January 2014
Dunelm Soft Furnishings Ltd forced to make good unpaid contributions by The Pensions Regulator for getting auto-enrolment wrong
Most financially prepared regions in the UK
October 2014
Scotland and the North of England are the most ‘financially prepared’ regions in the UK, according to a new analysis of the retirement savings scene.
Aon says employers must look to technology to help scheme members with new allowance changes
July 2015
Aon Employee Benefits, the UK health and benefits business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has said that yesterday’s Budget announcement of reductions in the Lifetime Allowance and Annual Allowance has added a new concern for more and more people. In addition to just worrying about whether they have saved enough, some will now have to start thinking about how they plan around these new limits.
Bigblue Touch and YouGov survey
April 2015
More than three quarters of those approaching retirement have failed to seek professional pension-related financial advice, a new YouGov survey has revealed.
Association for employee benefit and reward professionals launched
August 2015
A professional association for those working within the reward and employee benefits space has been set up by a former editor of an HR publication.
Osborne's Emergency Budget - the main pointers
July 2015
Austerity measures and tax rates were at the heart of the Emergency Budget this week, whilst salary sacrifice schemes remain untouched.
Budget commentary re Salary Sacrifice
July 2015
Rumours ahead of the Summer Budget 2015 that salary sacrifice schemes would be attacked failed to materialise, however the government explicitly called out that the growth of such arrangements and their financial impact is being monitored. Organisations looking to introduce salary sacrifice schemes, especially for pension contributions, should factor in the potential restriction or removal of these schemes in the short-term when deciding whether or not to implement.
Trend for global employers to centralise benefits is held back by operational realities, according to Aon’s global benefits research
June 2015
The research also shows that traditional multi-national pooling is on the wane, while captive funding for insured benefits and other financing initiatives are increasing.
GE2015 pensions and EBs impact
May 2015
Following a surprise majority win for the Conservatives after opinion polls failed to accurately predict the outcome of the 2015 general election, what impact will the new government’s policies have on workplace pensions and benefits?
Gender pay reporting bill amendment
April 2015
Businesses with more than 250 employees will be expected to reveal pay differences between their male and female employees, thanks to new legislation recently introduced in Parliament in the Equal Pay Transparency Bill 2015.
Aon wins two major awards at Workplace Savings and Benefits ceremony
September 2014
Aon have taken home the title of Benefits Innovation of the Year for its Bigblue platform and Auto-enrolment Innovation of the Year for its Littleblue 2go SME solution.
Employment law 2015
January 2015
Employers should be aware of several key legal areas which are likely to affect their businesses during 2015 and beyond, says employment law specialist Shoosmiths.
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