Is Express Wages considered an employee benefit?

That depends on who covers the cost.

Right now, you pay the fee when you choose an instant or next-day transfer, so Express Wages isn't classified as an employee benefit, and there's no cost to your employer.

If your employer chooses to cover that fee, the program is treated as an employee benefit for accounting purposes.

Either way, Express Wages is voluntary. You decide whether to sign up, and you decide when and how often to use it.