Media Contact: Heather Nezich, ASE, 248.223.8040, hnezich@aseonline.org

Troy, MI – September 24, 2025 -- ASE, one of the nation’s oldest and largest employer associations, has released its 2025 Health, Welfare, and Retirement Plans Survey. The annual survey of Michigan-based employers assesses employer-sponsored health and welfare plans ranging from employer-provided medical coverage to retirement plans. The 2025 survey was published in September 2025, with data effective April 2025.

Highlights of the ASE 2025 Health, Welfare, and Retirement Plans Survey include:

• A majority of the participating companies (64%) reported offering a choice of two to three health plans. 18% offered only one plan, and another 18% offered four or more. 62% of companies with 500 of more employees offer three or more plans.
• The most utilized health plan type continues to be Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPO), offered by 83% of non-unionized organizations and 91% of unionized organizations.
• An analysis of employers' median premium contributions for employee-only health coverage were 83% for Consumer Driven Healthcare Plan (CDHP) HMOs and PPOs, and 80% for Traditional HMOs and PPOs.
• Median annual plan deductibles (in-network, employee-only) were $2,500 for CDHP HMOs and PPOs, and $1,000 for Traditional HMOs and PPOs.
• 39% of all companies reported self-funding their health plans. For large companies (500 or more employees), 70% reported being self-funded.
• Participants reported that the projected median plan rate increase for 2026, following plan changes, is 8%.  Actual 2025 increases were 6%.
• Increasing employee education regarding health plan features and costs remained a top strategy. It was the number one planned strategy for 2025 (26%).
• Key cost containment strategies implemented prior to 2025 include offering telemedicine within one or more health plans (59%), implementing a Consumer-Driven Health Plan (CDHP) (28%), and increasing employee education regarding health plan features and costs (28%).
• The survey also gathered data on retirement plans, revealing that 96% of employers offer 401(k) or 403(b) options.
• For 401(k)/403(b) plans, 27% allow immediate participation, and 20% allow participation after one month of employment.
• 43% of 401(k)/403(b) plans utilize auto-enrollment. Of these, 62% use a Target/Lifestyle fund as the default, and 28% use a Balanced fund.
• 38% of 401(k)/403(b) plans offer 100% immediate vesting for employer contributions.

The ASE 2025 Health, Welfare, and Retirement Plans Survey reveals that employers are taking a balanced approach to managing rising benefit costs while staying competitive in the labor market.

“Employers are addressing cost pressures in multiple ways,” said ASE President & CEO Mary E. Corrado. “Many continue to share costs with employees through deductibles and payroll contributions, but we’re also seeing strong movement toward structural solutions like telemedicine, Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHPs), wellness programs, and optimized prescription formularies.”

These strategies highlight how organizations are evolving their benefits to both control expenses and attract talent.

Background information on the ASE 2025 Health, Welfare and Retirement Plans Survey

A total of 225 organizations across Michigan participated in the 2025 survey. Companies with 50–499 employees nationally accounted for the largest share, making up 55.6% of the sample (125 organizations). Organizations with 500 or more employees represented 26.7% (60 organizations), while those with fewer than 50 employees comprised the remaining 17.8% (40 organizations).

The survey reflects a wide range of industries, led by durable goods manufacturing (39.1%), followed by trades and services (28.9%). This survey is available at no cost to ASE Member survey participants via the ASE Survey Library.

Non-members may purchase the report for $1,650 or request to join here.

About ASE

ASE is employers trusted partner for Everything HR. ASE is a non-profit, membership organization – everything we do is based on the needs of members and to drive the success of their organizations and help them THRIVE.  ASE strengthens organization's HR departments by offering member benefits and discounted services that span the entire employee lifecycle including recruitment, development, and retention while minimizing compliance risk. We provide our members guidance through new legislation and workplace issues. ASE has offices throughout Michigan in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Novi, and Troy. Learn more about ASE at www.aseonline.org.