Around a third (30%) of employees would like to receive higher pension contributions from their employer this year, according to research by benefits technology provider Zest.
Its survey of 2,000 UK adults also found that this rose to 41% among respondents over the age of 55.
Private medical insurance (PMI) ranked in second place on employees’ wish lists for 2025, cited by 29% of respondents. This rose to 39% among those aged over 55.
Employer contributions to at-home energy costs and discounts or vouchers for high street shops or brands, meanwhile, came in joint third place, with both desired by 23% of respondents.
Wellbeing benefits also appeared popular. Just under a fifth (19%) of respondents said they would like to receive a wellbeing allowance to spend on products or services of their choosing, while 16% said they would welcome paid mental health leave. A further 16% would like access to a workplace savings scheme.
Matt Russell, chief executive officer (CEO) of Zest, says: “Continued economic challenges means many employees are looking for long-term financial support from their employer; increasing pension contributions is one of the most effective ways to reward employees and attract new talent.
“In a climate where many people have been forced to dip into their savings, employers which increase pension contributions can ensure their employees continue to build retirement pots, without impacting their day-to-day finances.
“Employers must ensure they listen to which benefits are most important to their employees; this is vital to boost morale and productivity, providing organisations with a competitive edge. In order to do this, employers need to use benefits technology that enables them to track the uptake on specific benefits, communicate with employees to understand their needs and adapt the support on offer.”
