More than four in five employers (81 per cent) supported employees in understanding and managing their pension savings during employment and into retirement in 2025, according to research from Barnett Waddingham.

The findings highlighted the growing importance of pensions within broader employee value propositions.

The snapshot of current benefits provision, based on a survey of 500 senior HR professionals, business owners and senior executives, found that pension support was closely followed by healthcare and protection benefits.

Some 77 per cent of employers said they paid pension contributions for employees taking parental leave, while 75 per cent offered private medical insurance.

Beyond statutory minimums, 72 per cent of respondents said they paid pension contributions for employees earning below the automatic enrolment earnings trigger of £10,000, while 71 per cent offered critical illness cover.

Income protection was also provided by 71 per cent of employers, with 69 per cent offering life insurance.

Other benefits included paid sabbaticals (63 per cent) and private dental insurance (58 per cent), although the research noted that responses reflected benefits offered across organisations, rather than those available to every employee.

Commenting on the findings, Barnett Waddingham partner and head of platform and benefits, Julia Turney, said employers increasingly saw pension provision as a strategic priority rather than a compliance exercise.

“It’s clear the past year has made employers realise that pension provision beyond the bare minimum has become a vital part of a well-rounded employee value proposition, elevating it from a compliance task to a strategic priority," she argued.

Turney added that employers already investing in their people would be better placed to maintain a workforce that is productive, engaged and resilient, but warned that budgetary pressures meant many organisations must focus on optimising, rather than expanding, their benefits offering.

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