Right now, most employers are updating their employee benefits plans for 2025. Chances are, you’re one of them. If you have a corporate relocation program, you should update those benefits, too.
After all, priorities change. Budgets do, too. New options appear on your radar. And of course, you can’t know if your benefits will remain competitive…unless you know where the rest of the market is headed.
At UrbanBound, this is our wheelhouse, and we’re happy to share some insights with you. Consider our top five 2025 relocation trends and predictions.
Then ask yourself: how does your current relocation plan stack up?
Trend #1: Less Lump Sum, More Managed Budget
For more than a decade, the lump-sum allowance—a one-time cash disbursement—has been the default relocation solution for many companies. According to one survey, 51% of employers have lump-sum plans.
Initially, employers liked lump sum’s easy administration, while employees liked its flexibility. However, in recent years, the disadvantages of these plans have become increasingly apparent:
- There’s no savings mechanism for employers, because employees keep all unspent funds
- They have led to some pretty disastrous moves, because employees don’t receive any guidance or assistance
That’s why employers are now flocking to managed budget plans. Employees still enjoy flexibility, but they also receive support. Plus, unspent funds go to the employer, which often adds up to significant savings.
You can learn more about managed budget plans, click here.
Trend #2: Greater Focus on Employee Well-Being
Since the pandemic, employers have expanded the wellness programs under their employee benefits plan to provide “more.” More mental health benefits, preventive care—even financial wellness programs.
This is influencing their relocation plans, too, as more employers come to understand the value of:
- Delivering a smooth, low-stress relocation experience
- Helping employees make informed relocating decisions
- Speeding acclimation for employees and their families
Prioritizing employee well-being during relocation will boost productivity, engagement, and even retention, which is why you’ll see more of it in 2025. For more on what this may look like, click here.
Trend #3: More Personalization
Personalization has become such a huge consumer trend, it’s become part of our culture. It’s a given: buyers expect their favorite brands to know their shopping preferences and deliver highly personalized offerings.
When it comes to relocation, that means trading in rigid relocation policies for flexible plan designs that allow employees to craft their own uniquely personalized moves.
Need an extra house-hunting trip? No problem. Prefer a small DIY trailer to a full-size moving van? You got it.
This personalized approach vastly increases employee satisfaction—and when you have a well-designed relocation policy, it won’t increase cost. To learn more about flexible policy design, click here.
Trend #4: Better Budget Management
Like everything else, the cost of moving is rising. And like everything else, employers are scrutinizing their relocation expenses more closely to seek greater cost-savings. .
But from what we’re seeing, they won’t be cutting relocation benefits themselves. Rather, they’ll be seeking smarter, more cost-effective ways to run their mobility programs. By rethinking their supplier networks. Reviewing invoices more closely. Demanding detailed relocation analytics, which you can learn more about here.
And that brings us to our final trend—the biggest cost-saving trend of all.
Trend #5: The Shift to Tech-Based Relocation Solutions
Software-based relocation solutions have been around for a little over a decade. Every year, more employers migrate from traditional, consultant-based relocation programs to modern, tech-based alternatives—and 2025 will be no exception.
In fact, as employers seek to simultaneously control costs, attract new talent and lighten their workload, momentum will only grow. That’s because relocation technology is:
- Popular with employees
- Cost-effective for employers
- An all-around time-saver
- Proven to impress candidates
- A sure way to improve the relocation experience
Stay up to date
Subscribe to the blog for the latest updates
We speak with authority because, at UrbanBound, we pioneered relocation technology. In fact, when employers switch to us, their relocation costs drop by up to 66%, while employee satisfaction soars.
These are benefits that never go out of style.
If you’d like to make sure that your relocation benefits are 2025-ready, we’re happy to review your current program with you. If you’re thinking of making changes for 2025, now is the time to start the conversation.
