5 must-have employee benefits features making an impact in 2025

There’s a gap between what benefits are provided by employers and those which are taken up by employees - and it’s time for HR leaders to address the imbalance.

With 80% of professionals in the UK and Ireland not fully utilising their workplace benefits, and 35% expressing dissatisfaction with their benefits packages, HR leaders face a significant challenge in delivering value through their benefits platforms.

In a survey of 500 UK HR directors conducted by employee money-saving platform Nous.co, two-thirds (62%) agreed the benefits they currently offer "don't address what people really need" or are "only useful to some of the workforce."

As economic uncertainty persists and the job market becomes increasingly competitive in 2025, implementing a benefits platform with the right features has become essential for HR leaders looking to maximise engagement and demonstrate value to both employees and leadership.

Which platform features are driving the most impact?

Regularly analysing platform utilisation data and employee engagement metrics provides valuable insights into which capabilities are resonating with your workforce.

Here are the five most impactful platform features that HR leaders should prioritise in 2025, according to Avantus:

1. Dynamic total reward statements (TRS)

Research shows that eight in ten employees underestimate the value of their total reward by up to 30%, and 47% of employees aren't even told what benefits are on offer, highlighting the critical importance of comprehensive TRS visualisation features.

Modern benefits platforms are revolutionising total reward communications through interactive dashboards.

Advanced TRS visualisation tools now offer:

Customisable presentation of reward data
Real-time or periodic comparative figures
Professional-level graphical displays
Easy bulk data updates for HR administrators

Dynamic TRS tools help HR leaders showcase the full value of employee rewards, boosting benefits awareness while reducing compensation inquiries.

2. Communication management systems

Leading benefits platforms now feature sophisticated, data-driven communication capabilities that allow HR teams to deliver personalised, targeted messages at scale.

These advanced communication systems enable HR leaders to:

Automatically identify and engage with employees who haven't updated critical personal information
Send personalised reminders about unused holiday allowances
Prompt updates for beneficiary details and other time-sensitive information
Create different types of comms like mental health surveys or feedback-based surveys
Generate specific communication campaigns based on employee data segments

Communication tools not only improve data accuracy but also enhance employee engagement by delivering relevant, timely information, significantly increasing benefits utilisation while reducing administrative workload for HR teams.

3. API-based supplier integration framework

Modern benefits platforms now offer sophisticated integration frameworks that connect seamlessly with external supplier systems through secure APIs and SFTPs (secure file transfer protocol).

Advanced integration capabilities allow your platform to:

Automatically synchronise transaction and spending data with third-party providers
Update employee records in real-time when changes occur
Calculate National Insurance savings and other financial impacts automatically
Significantly reduce administrative burden on HR and finance teams

By implementing a platform with robust API and SFTP integration capabilities, HR leaders can eliminate manual processes, reduce errors, and create a seamless experience for employees while freeing HR resources for more strategic initiatives.

4. Configurable salary sacrifice for holiday trading

Modern benefits platforms now include sophisticated salary sacrifice capabilities that enable holiday trading - one of the most popular and impactful flexible benefits options.
Leading holiday trading features include:

Configurable rules for buying or selling holiday days
Fixed gross pay deductions (for buying days), typically spread over 12 months
Real-time tracking of organisational savings
Customisable approval workflows for managers

Holiday trading demonstrates your commitment to flexibility while generating significant cost savings.

For a company of 100 employees, this could save over £7,800 annually in National Insurance contributions - potentially covering your entire benefits platform cost.

Employees value the autonomy to balance time off and compensation.

5. Integrated salary sacrifice management portal

Benefits platforms with advanced salary sacrifice capabilities are transforming how employees access high-value goods and services.

These sophisticated portals support various salary sacrifice schemes, with technology and home appliance programmes showing particularly strong engagement.

Leading salary sacrifice management features include:

Access to goods from premium brands like Apple, Samsung, and Dyson at competitive prices
Costs conveniently spread over 12 months through interest-free monthly payments
Real-time tracking of National Insurance savings (up to 12%)
Simplified digital approval and management processes

By implementing a comprehensive salary sacrifice portal, HR leaders can help employees manage large purchases through their benefits platform, enhancing financial wellbeing and job satisfaction while generating NI savings for both employees and the organisation.

The future of benefits platforms

As we move further into 2025, forward-thinking HR leaders will view their benefits platform as a strategic instrument for enhancing employee experience and organisational culture.

With 72% of workers citing salary as the most important factor when choosing a job, and employers struggling to meet the average expected pay rise of 4.5% this year, an advanced benefits platform becomes even more critical.

Organisations that prioritise these platform capabilities will be better positioned to demonstrate their investment in employees' wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth - ultimately creating a more engaged, productive, and loyal workforce in today's challenging talent market.