economy

January 17, 2026

More employers worry about their workers' financial well-being, research shows. Here's what they're doing about it

Employer concern about their workers' financial life has grown as many households struggle to manage the rising cost of living.

More employers worry about their workers' financial well-being, research shows. Here's what they're doing about it

TL;DR

  • Employer concern for employee financial well-being reached 48% in 2025, up from 22% in 2019.
  • Focus has shifted from retirement to day-to-day cost of living, budgeting, and savings issues.
  • Over 57% of employees live paycheck to paycheck, despite wage growth generally outpacing inflation recently.
  • 70% of employers engaged in financial wellness initiatives in 2025, an increase from 59% in 2024.
  • Only 43% of employers believe their financial wellness efforts are making a "large impact", down from 73% in 2023.
  • Financial wellness programs can include payroll advance loans, emergency funds, seminars, access to financial advisors, and coaches.
  • One-on-one sessions with financial professionals, sometimes subsidized by employers, are seen as a strategic way to provide guidance.

Continue reading the original article