The best-laid plans may go awry because of one single factor that holds true from coast to coast: the high cost of rent.
Surprisingly, many of the folks unable to get enough shuteye are actually optimistic about improving their situation.
Businesses increasingly realize that people need help with their finances to do better at work.
Here are the 10 states doing the worst at saving for retirement, as well as the 10 states with the highest level of financial stress.
Remorse over money-related decisions doesn't discriminate between old and young. Here are 7 decisions that hurt most.
With the increasing realization of the effects of student loan debt on Americans, is it any wonder employers are becoming interested in seeing how their benefits can help?
How do brokers get on board with financial wellness? How can they distinguish between the multitude of offerings and successfully communicate the value of workplace financial wellness programs to clients?
HR pros understand that financial wellness is good for the bottom line, but they don't understand how their organization can make a difference.
Market Insights
Medical costs estimated to increase 6 percent in 2020
PcW is projecting a 6 percent increase in medical cost trends in 2020, higher than 2019's medical cost trend.
Half of U.S. workers are panicked or depressed over money.
News
For most Americans, financial capability, stability and confidence are no longer improving: study
Study finds both the amount and quality of financial education correlates positively with healthy financial behaviors.
Best Practices
Financial wellness: It's voluntary
'Financial wellness' isn't a new employee benefit but a more strategic way of looking at an employer's existing benefits.
Market Insights
BenefitsPRO 2019 voluntary survey: Change is in the air
The growth potential of voluntary is looking good, but brokers must be prepared for the changing market.
They're caught between paying for college, caring for their parents and saving for their own retirement.
WalletHub analyzed financial-education programs and consumer habits to find the states that are most financially literate.
Saving for an emergency, not to mention retirement, is hard for many--especially in some metro areas in the U.S.
2 studies show financial literacy is more important than you thought.
WalletHub ranked the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on financial habits, financial education and other metrics.
55 percent of Americans who were adults at the time report financial woes from then that still affect their lives today.
Commentary
Financial wellness and the Red Queen's race
The Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland had to run twice as fast to get half as far. Sound familiar?
These five actions can really hurt a person's financial health -- if not now, in the future.
Student loan debt has intruded into nearly every facet of American life and turned it upside down.
And even those with only a financial wellness program are also more likely to report themselves as physically healthy.
When people know they have a problem but are too ashamed to talk about it, how will they make any progress?
Last month, we looked at voluntary new business premium sales for 2018. Now let's look at sales by product line and platform.
Thinking that the only expense covered by critical illness insurance is the gap in medical benefits overlooks additional expenses.
Commentary
Discretionary or necessary?
Most people consider medical insurance protection to be an essential part of financial security, but where does disability insurance fall?
Market Insights
Critical illness market keeps growing
Both new sales and in-force premiums showed dramatic growth.
{
"data": {
"slug": "special-report-financial-wellness-1",
"title": "Financial Wellness",
"type": "special insights",
"packageUrl": "",
"summary": "Benefits advisors and their employer clients are increasingly seeking information and guidance about offering financial wellness plans to their employees. Financial wellness can encompass many things, from financial education to voluntary products to budgeting and financial tools and more. This special report covers financial wellness from many perspectives, providing insight and strategies to help in the decision-making process.",
"cssFile": "",
"imageUrl": "//www.almcms.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/financial-wellness-heart-stock-chart.jpg",
"mediaUrl": "",
"blurb": "",
"articles": [
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/06/19/one-economic-snag-benefit-programs-face-in-helping-workers/",
"title": "One economic snag benefit programs face in helping workers",
"summary": "The best-laid plans may go awry because of one single factor that holds true from coast to coast: the high cost of rent.",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "June 19, 2019",
"wordcount": "713",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/09/money-woes-keeping-people-up-at-night/",
"title": "Money woes keeping people up at night",
"summary": "Surprisingly, many of the folks unable to get enough shuteye are actually optimistic about improving their situation.",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "July 09, 2019",
"wordcount": "450",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/06/20/employers-offering-help-with-emergency-funds/",
"title": "Employers offering help with emergency funds",
"summary": "Businesses increasingly realize that people need help with their finances to do better at work.",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "June 20, 2019",
"wordcount": "530",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/01/10-states-with-the-worst-financial-stress/",
"title": "10 states with the worst financial stress",
"summary": "Here are the 10 states doing the worst at saving for retirement, as well as the 10 states with the highest level of financial stress.",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "Slideshow",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "July 01, 2019",
"wordcount": "42",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/slideshow/",
"sectionName": "Slideshow"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/child-man-stress.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "411"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/29/7-quick-facts-on-americans-biggest-money-regrets-412-85348/",
"title": "7 quick facts on Americans' biggest money regrets",
"summary": "Remorse over money-related decisions doesn't discriminate between old and young. Here are 7 decisions that hurt most.",
"byline": "Ginger Szala",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"canonical:https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2019/05/29/7-quick-facts-on-americans-biggest-money-regrets",
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "July 29, 2019",
"wordcount": "171",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/ginger-szala/",
"name": "Ginger Szala"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/05/04_Empty_Wallet_Money_Coins_MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/18/student-loans-put-the-kibosh-on-kids/",
"title": "Student loans put the kibosh on kids",
"summary": "With the increasing realization of the effects of student loan debt on Americans, is it any wonder employers are becoming interested in seeing how their benefits can help?",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "July 18, 2019",
"wordcount": "448",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/05/29/why-its-time-for-brokers-to-get-on-board-with-financial-wellness/",
"title": "Why it's time for brokers to get on board with financial wellness",
"summary": "How do brokers get on board with financial wellness? How can they distinguish between the multitude of offerings and successfully communicate the value of workplace financial wellness programs to clients?",
"byline": "Jessica Gillespie",
"kicker": "",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "May 29, 2019",
"wordcount": "1263",
"timeToRead": "7 minute",
"readtime": "7",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/jessica-gillespie/",
"name": "Jessica Gillespie"
}
],
"kickerNode": [],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/04/10/hr-sees-the-benefits-of-financial-wellness-but-struggling-to-act/",
"title": "HR sees the benefits of financial wellness but struggling to act",
"summary": "HR pros understand that financial wellness is good for the bottom line, but they don't understand how their organization can make a difference.",
"byline": "Katie Kuehner-Hebert",
"kicker": "Analysis",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "April 10, 2019",
"wordcount": "456",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/katie-kuehner-hebert/",
"name": "Katie Kuehner-Hebert"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/analysis/",
"sectionName": "Analysis"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/04/MoneyShower.jpg",
"width": "618",
"height": "410"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/06/21/3-trends-driving-medical-cost-increases/",
"title": "Medical costs estimated to increase 6 percent in 2020",
"summary": "PcW is projecting a 6 percent increase in medical cost trends in 2020, higher than 2019's medical cost trend.",
"byline": "Joel Kranc",
"kicker": "Market Insights",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "June 21, 2019",
"wordcount": "792",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/joel-kranc/",
"name": "Joel Kranc"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/market-insights/",
"sectionName": "Market Insights"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/03/25/businesses-lose-half-a-billion-dollars-a-year-due-to-employee-financial-stress/",
"title": "Businesses lose half a billion dollars a year due to employee financial stress",
"summary": "Half of U.S. workers are panicked or depressed over money.",
"byline": "Marlene Satter",
"kicker": "Research",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "March 25, 2019",
"wordcount": "615",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/marlene-satter/",
"name": "Marlene Satter"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/research/",
"sectionName": "Research"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/16/finra-study-finds-widening-gaps-in-financial-capability-412-84885/",
"title": "For most Americans, financial capability, stability and confidence are no longer improving: study",
"summary": "Study finds both the amount and quality of financial education correlates positively with healthy financial behaviors.",
"byline": "Michael S. Fischer",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"canonical:https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2019/06/28/finra-study-finds-widening-gaps-in-financial-capability",
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "July 16, 2019",
"wordcount": "665",
"timeToRead": "4 minute",
"readtime": "4",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/michael-s-fischer/",
"name": "Michael S. Fischer"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/stress-woman-man-money-angry.jpg",
"width": "617",
"height": "411"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/05/09/financial-wellness-its-voluntary/",
"title": "Financial wellness: It's voluntary",
"summary": "'Financial wellness' isn't a new employee benefit but a more strategic way of looking at an employer's existing benefits.",
"byline": "Emily Payne",
"kicker": "Best Practices",
"tags": [
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "May 09, 2019",
"wordcount": "1092",
"timeToRead": "6 minute",
"readtime": "6",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/emily-payne/",
"name": "Emily Payne"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/best-practices/",
"sectionName": "Best Practices"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2018/03/Voluntary-Benefits-MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/05/02/benefitspro-2019-voluntary-survey-change-is-in-the-air/",
"title": "BenefitsPRO 2019 voluntary survey: Change is in the air",
"summary": "The growth potential of voluntary is looking good, but brokers must be prepared for the changing market.",
"byline": "Nick Rockwell",
"kicker": "Market Insights",
"tags": [],
"prettyDate": "May 02, 2019",
"wordcount": "121",
"timeToRead": "1 minute",
"readtime": "1",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/nick-rockwell/",
"name": "Nick Rockwell"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/market-insights/",
"sectionName": "Market Insights"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "",
"width": "",
"height": ""
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/07/03/gen-xers-are-falling-behind-financially-ebri-412-84340/",
"title": "Gen Xers are falling behind financially: EBRI",
"summary": "They're caught between paying for college, caring for their parents and saving for their own retirement.",
"byline": "Bernice Napach",
"kicker": "News",
"tags": [
"canonical:https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2019/07/02/gen-xers-are-falling-behind-financially-ebri",
"Sponsor:financialwellness"
],
"prettyDate": "July 03, 2019",
"wordcount": "523",
"timeToRead": "3 minute",
"readtime": "3",
"authors": [
{
"webUrl": "/author/profile/bernice-napach/",
"name": "Bernice Napach"
}
],
"kickerNode": [
{
"uri": "/news/",
"sectionName": "News"
}
],
"primaryCategory": {
"channelName": "",
"sectionName": "",
"uri": ""
},
"image": {
"uri": "https://images.benefitspro.com/contrib/content/uploads/sites/412/2019/07/Business_Man_Tired_Worried_Confused_MI.jpg",
"width": "616",
"height": "372"
}
},
{
"breadcrumb": [],
"uri": "/2019/04/16/10-smartest-states-for-financial-literacy-2019-412-80591/&quo