The ROI of Employee Financial Wellness: Why It’s a Smart Investment for HR Leaders

Financial Stress Isn’t Just a Personal Problem—It’s a Business Problem

Employees don’t leave financial stress at home—they bring it to work, where it impacts productivity, engagement, and retention. For HR leaders, financial wellness shouldn’t be viewed as just another potential perk on the benefits menu, but rather, a strategic investment that delivers measurable business returns.

In this article, we break down the real ROI of financial wellness programs, using industry data and best practices from leading organizations.

1. Financial Wellness Reduces Turnover & Retention Costs

Employee turnover is one of the most expensive challenges HR teams face. Each lost employee costs an average of $15,000 to replace when factoring in hiring, onboarding, and lost productivity.

The Impact of Financial Wellness on Retention:

• Companies offering financial wellness programs see a 40% reduction in attrition

• Financially stressed employees leave at 2.2x the rate of their financially secure peers.

• Employees with financial guidance are more likely to stay longer at their current company

🔗 Related Resource: [Download the Financial Wellness ROI Report]

2. Increased Productivity: Reclaiming Lost Work Hours

Financially stressed employees aren’t just worried—they’re distracted. Studies show they spend an average of 3 hours per week dealing with money-related issues at work. That’s 156 lost hours per employee per year—the equivalent of nearly a month of lost productivity per employee.

How Financial Wellness Boosts Productivity:

• Employees who feel financially secure are 5x more productive.

• Companies see fewer unplanned absences when financial stress is addressed.

• Employees are better able to focus on work instead of worrying about money.

3. Improved Employee Engagement & Job Satisfaction

Engagement is a top priority for HR leaders, but financial stress is a hidden factor that can quietly undermine it.

The Link Between Financial Wellness & Engagement:

• 84% of employees report greater job satisfaction when they have access to financial wellness resources.

• Companies with financial wellness programs see 2x higher engagement rates than those without them.

• Employees with financial education are more likely to participate in other benefits, such as 401(k) and HSAs.

🔗 Related Resource: Read: How Financial Wellness Boosts Employee Engagement

4. Lower Healthcare Costs & Reduced Absenteeism

Financial stress isn’t just an emotional burden—it’s a health risk. Stressed employees are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions, driving up healthcare claims and increasing absenteeism.

Why Financial Wellness Lowers Healthcare Costs:

• Employees using financial wellness tools experience a 4.5% reduction in healthcare costs.

• Lower financial stress correlates with fewer sick days and lower absenteeism.

• Addressing financial stress helps mitigate mental health claims and burnout-related issues.

How to Measure the ROI of Financial Wellness at Your Company

If you’re considering a financial wellness program, you need data to support your decision. Start by measuring:

• Turnover Rate Impact: Calculate how reducing attrition by even 10% could save thousands in hiring costs.

• Lost Productivity: Multiply 3 hours/week per employee by their salary to see the real cost of financial distractions.

• Benefits Utilization: Track increases in HSA, 401(k), and emergency savings participation.

• Healthcare Cost Reduction: Apply a 4.5% reduction to your company’s annual healthcare spend to estimate potential savings.

Why HR Leaders Are Prioritizing Financial Wellness

In 2025, financial wellness is no longer an optional benefit that’s considered a nice-to-have—it’s an essential for workforce retention, productivity, and cost management. Companies that invest in financial well-being see measurable returns in every key HR metric.

Want to explore how a financial wellness program could impact your company?

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