# Alternative Investment Funds Benefits Guide 2026

> Benefits at hedge funds, private equity and private credit firms in 2026: days in office, healthcare, 401(k), vacation, meals and more.

Source: https://jsbpartners.com/insights/benefits-guide-2026/  
Last updated: 2026-06-01

Published 2026-06-01 by JSB Partners.

_By the JSB Partners Market Knowledge Team._

This guide compiles research gathered from investment firms across the hedge fund, private equity and private credit industries. It gives a comparative view of how firms structure their benefits, in the areas that matter most to candidates and hiring teams today. The data is primarily from firms in the New York Metropolitan Area.

For employers, strong benefits have become a key lever in attracting and retaining top talent, particularly in a competitive hiring environment. For employees, long-term satisfaction and overall pay depend significantly on factors beyond cash compensation. This guide helps firms benchmark their offerings and helps professionals evaluate opportunities through a more complete lens.

## 1. Days in office

Based on 184 firms, the market remains largely oriented toward in-office work. 86% of firms require employees in the office at least three days per week.

- **2 days or fewer:** 25 firms (14%)
- **3 days:** 39 firms (21%)
- **4 days:** 81 firms (44%), the most common arrangement
- **5 days:** 39 firms (21%)

Highly flexible and remote-leaning policies exist, but they remain far less common than office-based expectations. Days-in-office policies are not static: they often reflect a firm's culture and leadership's preference for in-person collaboration, and many firms continue to reassess them.

## 2. Healthcare

A significant majority of firms offer free medical coverage.

- **Fully covered single coverage:** 82% of firms
- **Fully covered family coverage:** 80% of firms

Among firms where employees contribute, the median out-of-pocket cost is **$77.50 per month** for single coverage and **$267.50 per month** for family coverage. Free medical benefits remain a meaningful part of the overall compensation package for much of the market.

## 3. 401(k)

Of the 132 firms we analyzed that offer a 401(k) plan, **118 provide an employer match (about 89%)**.

The **median employer match is 4%** of annual compensation, subject to IRS contribution limits. Plan design varies: some firms match a percentage of employee contributions up to a fixed dollar cap (for example, 100% up to $5,000). Matching is both widespread and fairly standard at the median, and it remains a key lever for attracting and retaining talent.

## 4. Vacation days

Across 146 firms, excluding sick days, personal days and floating holidays:

- **Minimum:** 10 days
- **Average:** 15 days
- **Maximum:** 25 days

The most common range is **15 to 20 days, covering about 67% of firms**. At many firms, vacation scales with seniority. **About 7.5% of firms offer unlimited vacation.** Most of those still expect usage within a range similar to a traditional allowance.

## 5. Meal benefits

About **66 of the firms analyzed offer some form of meal benefit**: breakfast, lunch, dinner or a combination. Some provide a stipend for delivery services; others offer stocked kitchens, catered meals or regularly ordered food in the office. Meal benefits are especially valued where hours are long or office presence is heavy.

## 6. Additional benefits

With salary, bonus and standard benefits broadly consistent, firms increasingly differentiate on lifestyle.

- **Fitness and wellness, the most common standout:** onsite gyms, subsidized memberships or monthly fitness stipends, and at some firms high-end facilities, classes or personal training.
- **Technology and connectivity:** reimbursed or fully paid phones, company laptops and home office setups.
- **Lifestyle convenience:** car service home after late nights, and commuter subsidies.
- **Flexibility:** at select firms, "work from anywhere" periods, informal vacation flexibility and seasonal remote options.
- **Tuition reimbursement:** at some firms, support for CPA designations, MBAs and other certifications.

Firms are competing not only on compensation but on quality of life, flexibility and personalization, with fitness and convenience benefits the most consistent differentiators.

## Talk to us

To benchmark your firm's benefits, or to understand how an offer compares, email [yourexpert@jsbpartners.com](mailto:yourexpert@jsbpartners.com).