Financial stress isn't a fringe issue. It's the norm.
This isn't just a personal issue. It's a workplace issue.
Financial stress can contribute to distraction, absenteeism, and reduced productivity, all of which affect employee engagement and retention.
How Financial Stress Impacts Employee Productivity, Retention, and Workplace Performance
Financial stability is about more than income.
Employees may earn competitive salaries and still struggle with financial stress due to debt, spending habits, emergency savings gaps, or uncertainty about major financial decisions.
That is why many employers are expanding their focus beyond compensation and looking at Financial Well-being as part of a broader workforce support strategy.
A raise can ease pressure temporarily. But it doesn't address the underlying behaviors, habits, and decision-making challenges that drive financial stress.
Without the right support, employees often find themselves facing the same financial pressures just months later.
Compensation matters. However, financial stress is often influenced by spending habits, debt obligations, emergency savings levels, and financial decision-making behaviors.
That's why leading employers are shifting their approach. Instead of focusing only on compensation, they're investing in Financial Well-being as a long-term solution.
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"[My Money Coach] has helped me to be much more disciplined & mindful of how and when I spend my $."
— MSA Member
Employees don't just need more money. They need a way to manage it effectively.
A Financial Well-being program helps employees:
Financial stability isn't about income level. It's about behavior, support, and access to the right resources.
"This should be a part of mandatory training. Because if most of our stress is from finances, then our work habits may be affected, but if we have a better grasp on our finances, our production increases. Thank you for the training."
— MSA Member
Looking for ways to support employee Financial Well-being?
Learn how educational guidance and personalized Money Coaching can help employees build confidence and navigate financial decisions.
MSA's Financial Well-being program combines education, one-on-one coaching, and ongoing support to empower employees to take control of their financial lives.
Employees gain:
MSA's internal outcome data shows measurable progress for members who work with a Money Coach. On average, members increase emergency savings by $4,922, increase monthly discretionary income by $715, reduce debt by $6,661, and improve productivity by 1.8 hours per week.⁴
Employers increasingly recognize that financial stress is not just an employee issue. It's a business issue.
Organizations that support employee Financial Well-being initiatives may experience benefits such as the following:
Financial Well-being is no longer a "nice-to-have" benefit. It's becoming an important part of a competitive and supportive workplace culture.
Long-term financial stability is often built through small, consistent actions.
Employees may benefit from support related to:
Helping employees address these areas can create a stronger foundation for long-term Financial Well-being.
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Employee financial stability refers to an individual's ability to manage expenses, handle unexpected costs, make informed financial decisions, and work toward long-term financial goals with confidence.
Financial stress may contribute to distraction, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and lower engagement, all of which can affect workplace performance.
While raises can provide temporary relief, they may not address underlying challenges such as debt, spending habits, emergency savings gaps, or financial decision-making behaviors.
Employers can support Financial Well-being through education, coaching, workplace resources, and ongoing communication that encourages informed financial decisions.
Financial coaching can help employees understand their options, develop action plans, and build confidence in managing financial challenges and opportunities.
Providing raises alone won't solve financial stress. Providing the right support can.
MSA helps employees build the habits, knowledge, and confidence they need to achieve lasting financial stability and peace of mind.
Learn how MSA supports employee Financial Well-being through education, Money Coaching, and ongoing support.
¹ 2025 Workplace Outlook: Perspectives for Talent and Benefits Leaders. Fidelity Workplace, 2025, fidelityworkplace.com/s/page-resource?cId=benefits_leaders_trends_report.
² 2025 Financial Wellness in the Workplace Report: What Today's Workers Value Most, Across Generations. PNC, 2025.
³ Financial Health Pulse: 2024 U.S. Trends Report. Financial Health Network, 2024.
⁴ My Secure Advantage, Inc., January 2025. Based on self-reported data from MSA members working with a coach on this specific issue, from 1/1/23 - 12/31/24.