Why Personalization and Always-On Communication Are the Future of Benefits Education

A recent article from HR Brew, citing MetLife’s latest employee benefits study, highlights a problem that every HR leader and broker can relate to: even with more benefits options than ever, fewer employees actually understand them. Only 57% of full-time workers say they fully understand their benefits, and nearly half feel overwhelmed by the information they receive.

At SwellSpace, we applaud MetLife and HR Brew for spotlighting this growing challenge and for reinforcing something we see every day with our customers: benefits communication has to evolve beyond once-a-year email blasts and buried intranet links. Employees, dependents, retirees, and candidates need access that’s clear, consistent, and continuous.

‍The Disconnect: Complexity Without Clarity
‍The benefits landscape has never been richer or more confusing. Plans are changing, costs are rising, and employees are being asked to make complex choices with limited time and context.

MetLife’s findings show that even when communication happens, it often misses the mark. Employees receive more information but understand less of it, creating what the report calls “communication overload.” The result is predictable: rushed elections, underutilized programs, and frustration for both HR teams and employees.

‍Always-On Communication: Meeting Employees Where They Are
‍The article makes a powerful point: benefits education can’t be a seasonal effort. Open Enrollment may be the peak of activity, but the need for access doesn’t end there. Employees turn to HR year-round with questions about eligibility, coverage, and life-event changes, often when they’re already stressed or pressed for time.

That’s why SwellSpace is built to provide continuous communication. By giving employers a public-facing, mobile-friendly website that requires no login, employees and their families can find the information they need 24/7, whether it’s October or March, at home or at work.

‍Personalization Without Complexity
‍The MetLife study underscores that personalization multiplies the impact of communication. Employees who feel their benefits are tailored to their needs are three times more likely to be satisfied and confident in their choices.

SwellSpace takes that insight a step further. Our intuitive HR and benefits website builder allows HR teams and brokers to organize and personalize content in a way that reflects how people actually engage with information. Whether it’s employees, dependents, retirees, or candidates, content can be customized by audience, plan type, or topic, helping HR deliver a focused and relevant message every time.

‍For Brokers: A Smarter Way to Deliver Value
‍For benefits brokers and consultants, these insights create a powerful opportunity. Your clients don’t just need plan design and renewal support; they need communication strategies that make those benefits understandable and engaging.

By implementing SwellSpace, brokers can provide clients with a platform that centralizes everything, elevates the employee experience, and positions the broker as a strategic partner, not just a benefits vendor.

‍A Path Forward
MetLife and HR Brew have captured the heart of the issue: employees aren’t disengaged because they don’t care about their benefits; they’re disengaged because access and understanding haven’t kept up with complexity.

The solution is simple but powerful — treat benefits communication like an experience, not an event. With SwellSpace, HR and brokers can turn insights like these into action, building benefits websites that deliver clarity, confidence, and connection all year long.