Aflac Study Reveals 1 in 3 U.S. Workers Lack Legacy Plans

Event summary

Aflac's 2026 study of 1,000 U.S. workers found 33% lack critical legacy planning documents like wills or powers of attorney.
45% of respondents cited emotional impact as the most overwhelming aspect of managing a loved one's affairs.
74% reported that navigating a loved one's affairs affected their productivity at work.
Aflac partners with Empathy to provide legacy planning and bereavement support to covered employees.

The big picture

Aflac's study highlights a significant gap in end-of-life preparedness among U.S. workers, presenting an opportunity for insurers to expand beyond traditional coverage into holistic support services. The partnership with Empathy reflects a broader industry trend toward integrating technology-driven care solutions into employee benefits packages. As workforce productivity becomes increasingly tied to personal well-being, legacy planning may emerge as a key differentiator in the supplemental insurance space.

What we're watching

Product Differentiation: Whether Aflac's integration of Empathy's services will differentiate its offerings in the competitive supplemental insurance market.
Workforce Resilience: How employers may increasingly view legacy planning support as a critical component of employee wellness programs.
Regulatory Attention: The pace at which regulators may scrutinize end-of-life planning services as part of broader financial wellness initiatives.