Commuter Benefits Can Pile Up, Converting to Cash Is Difficult

Employers expect fewer workers to take advantage of transportation-related benefits this open enrollment season and are focusing instead on other ways to rev up a predominantly remote workforce.

Meanwhile, some employees’ commuter benefits are piling up as they continue to work from home. Their best option is to make use of those balances once they start traveling again, benefits advisers say. The most common types of employer-provided commuter perks are hard to transfer to cash.

Employees typically pay out of pocket for services like ride sharing or gym memberships in which the employer has negotiated a discount. Those programs often ...