The latest Talking Benefits podcast episode dives into family forming benefits, or any benefit that is helpful in assisting workers in starting or growing a family. It can take the form of a specific benefit offering or time off on either a paid or unpaid basis.

My fellow pod squad members and I covered the following topics under the “family forming benefits” umbrella:

  1. Fertility benefits, including the actual diagnosis of infertility, plus tests and services like physical exams, medications, lab tests, genetic testing, IVF, non IVF treatments, and egg harvesting and freezing.
  2. Surrogacy reimbursement program—while many different families consider surrogacy for different reasons, it is the only biological pathway for parenting for some LGBTQ couples or individuals.
  3. Adoption, including resource or referral services, financial assistance, and leave.

We also talked about the reasons to offer family forming benefits. It’s important for employee recruitment and retention, it demonstrates an employer’s support for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and supports employees’ mental and financial well-being.

The team spent time identifying steps an employer can take if they are looking to add or enhance family forming benefits. We also discussed paid leave options surrounding these benefits.

Give this episode a listen if you want to dive more into the world of family forming benefits!

Don’t miss a single episode! 

Subscribe to Talking Benefits iTunes

Subscribe to Talking Benefits on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts for automatic updates as new episodes are released, or watch for new episodes on the International Foundation website.

Anne Patterson

Director, PR, Communications & Brand Favorite Foundation Product: Foundation Community. It’s like LinkedIn but only for Foundation members. They can post questions, share best practices, etc—all with fellow members who also live and breathe employee benefits. Benefits-related Topics That Interest Her Most: Mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, behavioral decision making, family-forming benefits, payroll audits. Personal Insight: When she’s not busy keeping up with her two little ones, Anne finds joy in home renovation and décor, haiku writing, watching Jeopardy, crafting charcuterie boards, and bicycling.

Recommended Posts

Open pharmacy pill containers on a pile of 20 dollar bills.

What the Executive Order Increasing PBM Fee Transparency Means for Employers

Amanda Wilke, CEBS
 

On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order (EO) “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First,” which includes specific actions to be taken by federal agencies to reduce prescription drug costs, improve transparency and increase competition in the […]

GLP-1 Drug Coverage Continues to Rise in Canada 

Rebecca Plier
 

New Survey Data Reveals Prior Authorization or Other Utilization Management Strategies, Eligibility Requirements, Annual Maximum as Leading Cost Control Methods  A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals updated Canadian employer coverage and cost-control mechanisms surrounding glucagon-like […]

GLP-1 Drugs Responsible for Over Ten Percent of Annual Claims 

Rebecca Plier
 

New Survey Data Reveals Rise of GLP-1 Drug Claims, With Utilization Management and Eligibility Requirements as Leading Cost-Control Mechanisms   A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reveals updated U.S. employer coverage and claims representation surrounding glucagon-like peptide-1 […]