Financial stress remains high among U.S. workers, according to the latest research from employee benefits and workers’ compensation provider The Hartford.
The sixth annual Future of Benefits Study, released today, included 701 employers and 1,000 U.S. workers to gain their perspectives on personal finances, AI and technology trends, workplace benefits, and other factors influencing the business landscape.
“As financial concerns continue to weigh on U.S. workers, it’s clear that workplace benefits are more than just a perk – they’re a meaningful source of financial support and well-being,” said Mike Fish, head of Employee Benefits at The Hartford. “Employers can help the workforce navigate through uncertainty by ensuring they have access to benefits and the education needed to fully understand and utilize them. Employers and insurers have an opportunity to help their workers take control of their financial future with confidence.”
Most workers (72 percent) are at least somewhat stressed about their household finances, with one-third (33 percent) reporting they are very/extremely stressed. This is consistent with last year’s findings, which found 72% percent were at least somewhat stressed about their household finances, and 34 percent reported being very/extremely stressed.
The study found that half of U.S. workers (51 percent) reported living paycheck to paycheck, while 53 percent said their savings have decreased in the past 12 months.
More than half of the workers surveyed (56 percent) reported that their financial health is negatively impacting their workplace productivity.
The study revealed workplace benefits play a critical role in helping U.S. workers protect their finances, with most employers (80 percent) and workers (62 percent) recognizing the essential role benefits have in making them feel more financially secure.
This is in contrast to the significant majority of employers (75 percent) who indicate the benefits offered are underutilized, creating an opportunity to educate employees about how employee benefits can provide additional financial security.
The survey found that employers are adding to the benefits they offer to support their workers, with 34 percent adding benefits in 2025 and 53 percent planning to do so in 2026.
Though it’s clear employer-provided benefits are key to improving financial well-being and overall job satisfaction, confusion remains a barrier, according to the report.
“To bridge this gap, employers have an opportunity to be proactive in educating and engaging their employees to ensure they have access to the necessary resources and feel confident using them,” Fish said. “This requires a strategic shift – moving beyond enrollment periods and adopting a year-round approach to communication, personalized guidance, and digital tools that enhance accessibility.”
Benefits are also an important factor for job seekers.
According to the study, 82 percent of U.S. workers say benefits are a key consideration when searching for a new job, and 58 percent would consider switching jobs for a more comprehensive benefits package.
A gap remains between employers’ and workers’ feelings about AI in the workplace.
The study found that 72 percent of employers feel more optimistic this year than they did in 2024 about the use of AI in the workplace, with just 29 percent of employees feeling the same. Addressing this disparity will require employers to be transparent and ensure that digital enhancements feel intuitive, reliable, and truly beneficial to employees, the study recommended.
Although technology continues to enhance the overall benefits experience, when it comes to completing certain benefits-related tasks, U.S. workers continue to prefer working with a person.
U.S. workers prefer to interact with a person when:
- Requesting a leave of absence: 58 percent, an increase from 53 percent in 2024;
- Learning about benefits during open enrollment: 48 percent, an increase from 43 percent in 2024; and
- Selecting benefits during open enrollment: 47 percent, an increase from 42 percent in 2024.