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68% of absent employees returned to work under group risk benefits in 2025 – GRiD

During 2025, 5,590 employees absent through ill-health were helped to return to work by the end of the year. 

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68% of absent employees returned to work under group risk benefits in 2025 – GRiD
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Employers offering group risk benefits saw 68% of their newly absent employees return to work in 2025, according to data from GRiD.

Data showed that the UK group risk industry paid out a record £2.69bn in claims in 2025, an increase of £96.7m compared to 2024. 

Group life assurance policies paid £1.8bn, up £88.9m on the previous year. 

Group income protection policies paid £670.7m, down £3.8m. 

Group critical illness policies paid £190.8m, up £11.6m.

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During 2025, 5,590 employees absent through ill-health were helped to return to work by the end of the year. 

Of these, 3,920 returned before a claim was made due to support from the insurer. 

1,670 who made a claim on group income protection returned to work by year-end. 

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Group risk insurers provided health and wellbeing interventions to nearly 8,300 employees, and made 5,915 interventions within six months of first absence. 

Of these, 48% were for mental illness, 11% for musculoskeletal issues and 9% for cancer.

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848 employees who became new group income protection claimants during 2024 returned to work by the end of 2025. 

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1,739 employees who began claiming in 2024 had already returned by the end of that year.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “It is great to see just how much employers and employees benefit from the tangible and practical support from group risk benefits. 

“Good work is good for people, and of course, employers need a present workforce to function, and our data shows just how much group risk supports this.

“A strong economy needs a strong and present workforce – hence the focus from government with initiatives such as the Keep Britain Working Review.”

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Moxham added: “Our new data shows again just how important group risk benefits are in supporting a strong economy, and employers who offer these benefits to their workforces are the winners.

“Group risk benefits are some of the most popular benefits in the UK, with more and more employers offering them every year, and with data such as this, it’s easy to see why. 

“The financial payouts from group risk benefits can be life-changing for employees and their families, at a time when they need it most.”

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