Imagine a woman navigating the heartache of pregnancy loss while silently struggling with infertility. In her pursuit of fertility coverage, she takes on secondary employment, working 60 to 80 hours a week—all while carrying the emotional and financial weight of her situation. This reality underscores a critical truth: employers must do more to support the well-being of employees who are on the journey to parenthood. Their struggles, aspirations, and family-building challenges deserve recognition and proactive support.

At Atria, we understand that an organization’s most valuable asset is its people. In industries where talent is unique and scarce, standing out in a crowded marketplace is essential for attracting and retaining top-tier employees. One of the most impactful ways to do this is by providing comprehensive family-building benefits—a differentiator that strengthens employer brand, fosters loyalty, and creates a healthier, more engaged workforce.

According to the World Health Organization, one in six people globally experience infertility, affecting men and women equally. Yet, many employer-sponsored health plans lack the necessary coverage to support those on their family-building journey. This gap presents a major opportunity for employers to lead with compassion, equity, and competitive benefits, ensuring their workforce feels supported in all aspects of life.

What Are Family-Building Benefits?

Family-building benefits are designed to support employees who are planning, growing, or expanding their families. These offerings typically include:

• Fertility Treatment Coverage – Assistance with costs related to IVF, egg freezing, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and other fertility treatments.
• Adoption and Surrogacy Support – Financial assistance, legal guidance, and leave policies to help employees navigate the adoption or surrogacy process.
• Paid Parental Leave – Competitive leave policies to allow parents time to bond with their child without financial stress.
• Counseling and Support Services – Emotional and psychological support for employees undergoing fertility treatments or adjusting to parenthood.
• Flexible Work Arrangements – Options such as remote work, adjusted hours, or additional leave to accommodate family planning needs.

By offering inclusive and equitable family-building benefits, employers create a supportive workplace culture that values diverse paths to parenthood.

Why Are Family-Building Benefits Essential?

1. High Costs and Financial Barriers

Many individuals delay starting a family due to career aspirations, financial constraints, or personal circumstances, only to later face challenges with fertility. The financial burden can be overwhelming:

• Private adoption costs range between $30,000 and $60,000.
• Surrogacy expenses can exceed $200,000 when factoring in medical, legal, and agency fees.
• Egg freezing averages $15,000 per cycle, with additional costs for storage.

Without employer support, these costs can be prohibitive, forcing employees to make difficult choices between their careers and their family aspirations.

2. Inclusive Benefits for LGBTQ+ Employees

Family-building isn’t just a challenge for couples facing medical infertility. LGBTQ+ employees often face barriers to fertility coverage because they do not have a medical infertility diagnosis.

• A recent Progyny study found that 49% of individuals in same-sex relationships were excluded from fertility benefits for this reason.

Employers committed to equity and inclusion should ensure family-building benefits are accessible to all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or relationship status.

3. The Impact of Medical Conditions on Fertility

For employees undergoing cancer treatment or other medical procedures, fertility preservation is an urgent need.

• Certain chemotherapy drugs can permanently impact fertility, leaving cancer survivors with limited options for family-building later in life.
• Egg or sperm freezing may be the only solution for these employees, yet traditional health plans often fail to cover this expense.

Proactively including fertility preservation in benefits plans helps employees plan for their future while navigating life’s unexpected medical challenges.

4. Attraction and Retention of Top Talent

As the workforce evolves, Millennials and Gen Z employees expect family-friendly benefits.

• 73% of employees believe fertility coverage should be a standard workplace benefit.
• 88% of employees would consider switching jobs for an employer that offers fertility benefits (Carrot Fertility study).
• 74% of parents say they’d be more likely to return to work after parental leave if their employer supported their family-building journey (Progyny survey).

Organizations that prioritize family-building benefits gain a competitive edge, improving recruitment and retention while fostering long-term employee commitment.

How Atria Helps Employers Build Inclusive, Competitive Benefit Strategies

At Atria, we merge world-class consulting and brokerage capabilities with a community-driven, relationship-based approach, ensuring that our clients’ health and benefits programs align with their business goals and employee needs.

Our Approach to Family-Building Benefits Strategy

• Customized Plan Design – We evaluate current offerings, identify gaps, and build tailored solutions that enhance fertility, adoption, and parental leave policies.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis – Atria provides a financial analysis of potential ROI and workforce impact, helping clients navigate the balance between cost-effectiveness and employee satisfaction.
• Vendor & Carrier Negotiation – We work with leading health insurance carriers and fertility benefit providers to secure the best rates and coverage options for our clients.
• Regulatory Guidance – Our team ensures your policies remain compliant with federal, state, and industry-specific regulations, mitigating legal risk while maintaining competitive offerings.
• Holistic Well-Being Strategies – We integrate mental health resources, flexible work policies, and inclusive HR strategies to create a comprehensive employee experience.

Why Partner with Atria?

• We specialize in middle-market employers, tribal government entities, and organizations with complex employee benefits needs.
• Our expertise in insurance brokerage, human capital consulting, and benefits strategy allows us to build solutions that support business growth while prioritizing employee well-being.
• Atria goes beyond transactional brokerage—we partner with our clients to craft sustainable, long-term benefits programs that reflect the culture, mission, and values of their organization.

The Future of Employee Benefits Starts Here

As the workforce evolves, so must employee benefits strategies. Offering comprehensive, inclusive family-building benefits is no longer an option—it’s an expectation for employers who want to attract, retain, and empower their workforce.

Atria is here to help. Let’s design a benefits package that prioritizes your employees’ well-being while strengthening your organization’s competitive edge.

Ready to Elevate Your Employee Benefits Strategy?

Contact Atria today to learn how we can customize a family-building benefits program that aligns with your company’s vision and values.