Seven out of 10 employers feel wellness programs are an effective way to reduce medical costs, according to MetLife's Employee Benefits Trends Survey. Nearly half of employers who offer such programs say they improve productivity; 57 percent of employees agree.

Wellness plans also bolster employee loyalty, the study found. Over two-thirds of employees who participate in a wellness program say they are "very loyal," compared to just 52 percent of those who do not participate.

Employees who participate in wellness programs reported better health than their co-workers who did not participate, but the study also found a connection between physical and financial health. Forty-eight percent of employees participating in a wellness program say they feel in control of their finances. Only 26 percent of employees who did not participate agreed. The study argues that healthy workers are better able to "earn a living and accumulate wealth," while workers with poor health struggle with absenteeism and presenteeism. One-third of healthy workers admitted they had trouble paying bills; 56 percent of unhealthy workers said the same. Furthermore, 34 percent of unhealthy workers expect their financial situation to get worse in the next six months. Just 12 percent of healthy workers agreed.