CAPTRUST Financial Advisors published its inaugural Financial Wellness Survey Report on January 15, 2026.
The report examined financial stress among more than 4,300 employees across 795 organizations.
Its findings connect financial pressure with workplace motivation, productivity, morale, and broader employee outcomes.
The research provides employers with insights into designing more relevant financial support programs.
The report found that 62% of surveyed employees experienced moderate to severe financial stress.
Additionally, 74% said financial stress affected their motivation at work.
Early-career employees reported the highest financial stress and related health impacts across surveyed groups.
These findings indicate that Financial Wellness can influence workforce performance beyond traditional compensation discussions.
They also highlight the importance of addressing financial concerns at different career stages.
Employees using financial wellness resources reported lower levels of severe stress and stronger progress toward financial goals.
However, more than half of participating employees remained off track financially despite accessing available resources.
The report found that 40% considered one-on-one financial advice most helpful for reducing financial concerns.
Meanwhile, 98% said they would use a financial advisor if that service were available without cost.
Actual usage remained substantially lower, suggesting accessibility alone does not guarantee employee participation.
The research also identified differences between financial concerns and employee learning interests.
Emergency savings and debt management ranked among employees’ leading financial worries.
However, investing and estate planning generated stronger interest as learning topics.
This gap suggests employers may need to make Financial Wellness resources easier to access and personalize.
Programs could address immediate financial concerns while gradually supporting longer-term planning and financial confidence.
For HR leaders worldwide, Financial Wellness has broader implications for workforce stability and employee experience.
Financial pressure can affect concentration, motivation, engagement, and perceptions of employer support.
Although CAPTRUST’s survey reflects participating organizations and employees, its findings offer relevant considerations for international employers.
Organizations operating across markets may need locally appropriate resources for different financial systems and employee circumstances.
Personalization can also help employers address different career stages and financial priorities more effectively.
CAPTRUST recommends personalized financial wellness programs, independent advice, and ongoing measurement of resource utilization.
These recommendations place Financial Wellness within broader workforce planning rather than treating it as an isolated benefit.
For HR technology providers, the findings reinforce demand for accessible and measurable financial support tools.
The January report also highlights the importance of connecting financial benefits with employee needs and business outcomes.
As financial pressures continue, employers may increasingly evaluate wellness programs through participation, workforce, and performance measures.
