What 15,000 Plans Tell Us About Employer Strategy

We now have over 15,000 active plans in the Bnchmrk database—not cumulative since launch, but current-year plans from employers across the country. This milestone matters because of what it enables: the ability to slice the data in ways that actually reflect how benefits decisions get made.

Why Dataset Size Matters

National averages are easy to come by. But national averages aren't very useful when you're advising a 200-person manufacturer in Ohio or a healthcare system in Texas.

Real benchmarking requires filtering. And filtering requires data density. You need enough plans in each segment to produce statistically meaningful comparisons.

At 15,000 active plans, we're reaching that threshold across multiple dimensions.

What's Now Possible

Industry-specific benchmarks. We can now show you what healthcare employers actually offer, separate from tech companies, separate from manufacturers. Not blended averages—actual peer data.

Regional comparisons. Benefits vary by geography. Cost of living, labor markets, and local competition all play a role. With enough density, we can show you how employers in your region structure their plans.

Size-appropriate peers. A 50-person company shouldn't benchmark against Fortune 500 employers. We can now filter by employee count and still have meaningful sample sizes.

Combinations that matter. The real power is combining filters. Mid-size healthcare employers in the Southeast. Small manufacturers in the Midwest. Technology companies in major metros. These are the actual competitive sets employers care about.

From Averages to Peer Groups

The shift from "what's the national average?" to "what are my actual peers doing?" is fundamental. It's the difference between generic guidance and actionable intelligence.

A consultant presenting national averages is giving their client the same data everyone else has. A consultant presenting peer-specific benchmarks is delivering something defensible—something that reflects the client's actual competitive landscape.

Building Toward More

15,000 plans is a milestone, not a destination. As the dataset grows, we'll be able to slice thinner—more specific industries, smaller geographies, narrower size bands—while maintaining statistical validity.

The goal is simple: give you the exact comparison you need, not the closest approximation we have.