Why Financial Wellbeing Matters
Financial stress remains one of the strongest predictors of lost productivity and turnover. Employees today are juggling debt, rising living costs, and uncertainty about retirement.
According to Bank of America's 2025 Workplace Benefits Report:
- Only 47% of employees feel financially well.
- 85% carry personal debt.
- 38% have not saved for future healthcare expenses.
At the same time, employers are increasing investment in workplace benefits. In the 2025 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, 81% of employers ranked retirement and planning benefits as "extremely important."
But offering benefits alone doesn't solve the participation problem. The question HR leaders face is: How do we help employees actually use the benefits we provide?
Below are two practical ways HR teams can evolve from benefits administrators to champions of employee financial wellness.
1. Move Beyond "Set and Forget"
A once-a-year enrollment session or a single email won't meet employees where they are. Financial needs shift as life does, and ongoing communication is essential.
Supporting employee financial wellness requires:
- Consistent outreach
- Personalized guidance
- Timely nudges that reinforce healthy financial habits
To make this easier, Troutwood built Incentives, a tool that allows HR teams to increase utilization with targeted, automated campaigns. With just a few clicks, employers can send the right message at the right moment—driving sustained engagement with retirement planning, budgeting tools, and other benefits that employees often overlook.
2. Measure Financial Wellbeing More Deeply
Typical HR reporting doesn't reveal whether employees are prepared for emergencies, actively contributing to a 401(k), or on track for retirement. Without visibility, it's difficult to know where support is most needed.
Troutwood's proprietary Shield Scores give HR leaders a clear view of financial wellbeing across the workforce—highlighting areas such as emergency savings, debt management, and retirement readiness.
With better data, HR teams can:
- Identify where financial stress is highest
- Evaluate the effectiveness of current programs
- Target benefits and education to drive real improvement
A strong financial wellness strategy starts with understanding the baseline and measuring progress over time.
Build a Culture of Financial Empowerment
When HR leaders champion financial wellness, the impact is organization-wide. Employees feel more secure and make better decisions. Employers gain productivity, higher retention, and stronger trust.
Troutwood gives HR professionals the tools to move beyond basic benefits administration and toward a comprehensive, measurable financial wellness strategy—one that supports resilient, confident, and engaged teams.
Ready to Lead the Way?
See how Troutwood helps employers engage employees, track financial wellbeing, and build a long-term financial wellness program that drives results.
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Reference links:
Workers Look to Employer for Help as Financial Well-Being Dips - SHRM
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