Why the Next Big Win in Benefits Is Supporting Employees’ Everyday Money Problems
With nearly 80% of workers concerned with basic expenses such as groceries and childcare, regardless of income, more employers are prioritizing benefits that support employees’ everyday money problems. In fact, about half of employers plan to have a comprehensive financial program in place by next year. But designing this type of financial benefits strategy requires […]
Why Helping Employees Navigate Tax Season Matters
Tax season can provide a financial lifeline to lower-income employees who qualify for valuable tax credits that may lead to a tax refund – but the IRS reports that 1 in 5 miss out on thousands of dollars each year. Employers that think beyond traditional financial wellness approaches and provide comprehensive financial benefits that include […]
How Financial Instability Became the Enemy of Your Retirement Benefit
Employers offer retirement programs to support employees’ financial wellbeing, which may also include a match, educational support, and other features intended to improve their financial lives. But with 70% of employees living paycheck to paycheck, most employees can’t prioritize a goal in the far-off future. They’re struggling with financial pressures in the here and now. […]
How Financial Stress Is Driving Benefits Choices
“What does the price of eggs have to do with annual enrollment?” Mercer asked that question recently, and the answer is: more than you might think. With 70% of employees considered not financially healthy, many of your employees are currently struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, and everyday essentials. As open enrollment season approaches, […]
How is Brightside Financial Care Different from Financial Education?
Finances are the leading cause of employee stress, and it costs both employees and employers. While financial illiteracy can contribute to financial stress, it isn’t the only issue at play – and it’s not the root cause. In fact, research shows that one-size-fits-all financial education only correlates to a 0.1% in behavior change. To be […]
Less Employee Financial Stress, Fewer HR Challenges
HR Executive’s 2025 report reveals that 76% of HR professionals said their stress is rising – and for good reason. HR leaders today are carrying the weight of the entire employee experience, while juggling tighter budgets, leaner teams, and growing concerns about safety incidents, turnover, and burnout. Providing employees with a benefit that addresses their […]
Traditional Employee Financial Wellness Programs Are Failing. Here’s Why.
Every year, nearly $90 billion is invested in employee workplace wellness programs, according to Financial Health Network’s “Wellbeing in the Workplace” report. Yet, just 30% of employees are financially healthy – the lowest level seen since 2019. On top of that, the World Health Organization estimates that employee financial stress still costs employers around the […]
Why Financial Care is Critical to 401(k) Savings Success
In 2022, Americans’ financial health declined for the first time in five years. Between 2023 and 2024, several key financial health indicators got even worse. Today, 70% of Americans are considered financially unhealthy and seven out of 10 Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Despite that the 2024 Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) Survey revealed […]
9 Ways to Measure if Your Employees’ Financial Health is Improving
Employee financial health isn’t just about individual wellbeing—it’s directly tied to productivity, retention, healthcare costs, and workplace safety. Despite the rise in employee financial benefit options, many HR leaders struggle to determine if their efforts to improve employee financial health are working. Here are nine metrics HR leaders can monitor to gauge whether financial wellbeing […]
How Brightside Boosts Employee Benefits to Drive Impact
Benefits leaders invest significant time, money, and effort to offer relevant employee benefits that align with budgets and deliver meaningful results. Yet, because the core pillars of employee wellbeing often overlap, employees may need to address multiple issues before they see positive changes. For example, 70% of employees are not financially healthy, but many also […]