The forecast is clear: Climate change demands people-first benefits

One way or another, we all feel the effects of extreme weather. Record high temperatures, floods, and smoky air have become increasingly common — and employees are feeling the heat. Seventy-six percent of employers say severe weather has already disrupted their employees’ lives.¹ The impact is real, but what’s often overlooked are the hidden health costs that pile up long after the storm passes. For benefits teams, these aren’t just environmental headlines — they’re tomorrow’s claims data.

The high price of ignoring the data

A study from the Climate Investment Funds shows what’s at stake globally: between now and 2050, climate change could drive 4 to 5 billion extra cases of climate-sensitive illnesses and up to 15 million additional deaths. Put a dollar figure on it, and the price tag comes in at a staggering $8.6 to $20.8 trillion in health-related costs.²

So, how do benefits teams make sense of this in practical terms? A recent study featuring the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health released some eye-opening insights:¹

• Employees in non–climate-controlled jobs can rack up 40% higher health costs.
• Workers in industries like construction, farming, and utilities may see double the incremental risk.
• Big metro hubs like New York, Boston, and Atlanta are especially vulnerable, with claims that could be five times higher than the national average.

That’s not tomorrow’s problem. It’s an immediate signal for HR and benefits leaders to take steps to adapt and evolve their benefits plans.

What leading employers are doing differently

Forward-thinking organizations aren’t just bracing for impact. They’re adapting their benefits playbook. A few trends stand out:

• Streamlined access and faster claims to make it easier for employees to get the help they need after a disaster.
• Financial relief programs to help families hit hardest by climate-related events.
• Mental health support designed to address “eco-anxiety,” the stress and worry tied to our changing environment.
• Bolstered supplemental health benefits to offset the rising frequency and cost of health care.

Employers who thoughtfully plan, model, and adapt their benefits plans to account for climate-related costs are the ones who will come out stronger.

Securian Financial recognizes the criticality of supplemental health benefits in an everchanging climate

As climate change accelerates the spread and severity of climate-sensitive illnesses — from respiratory conditions to heat-related emergencies — medical costs are rising in tandem. Hospital indemnity, critical illness, and accident insurance coverages help mitigate the growing financial impact of climate-induced health issues. Features like emergency transportation due to injuries sustained during extreme weather to mental health support for climate-related stress and anxiety can make all the difference. Additionally, Securian Financial's swift claims processing and proactive cross-product review may help ensure employees have the financial support they may need when environmental challenges translate into unexpected health care costs.