Skip to main content
  • Foundation
  • Executive network
  • CEO Circle
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Linkage Logo
  • Store
  • Sign In
  • Account
    • My Account
    • Logout
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
SHRM
About
Book a Speaker
Join Today
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
  • Membership
  • Certification
    Certification

    Smiling asian student studying in library with laptop books doing online research for coursework, making notes for essay homework assignment, online education e-learning concept
    Get Certified!

    Be recognized as an HR leader with your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential.

    • How to Get Certified

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations. No other HR certification compares.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Details and Fees
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me
      • Certification FAQs
    • Prepare for the Exam

      Give yourself the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.

      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      • Study Aids & Add-ons
    • Recertification

      Recertify your SHRM Credentials before your end date!

      • Specialty Credentials
      • Qualifications
  • Topics & Tools
    Topics & Tools

    Stay up to date with workplace news and leverage our vast library of resources to streamline day-to-day HR tasks.

    The white house in washington, dc.
    Executive Order Impact Zone

    Do not abandon, but evaluate and evolve. It is about legal, equal opportunity for all.

    • News & Trends

      Follow breaking news and emerging workplace trends.

      Legal & Compliance

      Stay informed on workplace legal updates and their impacts.

      From the Workplace

      Explore diverse perspectives from your peers on today's workplaces.

      Flagships

      Get curated collections of podcasts, videos, articles, and more produced by SHRM.

    • HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      SEE ALL
      SHRM Research
    • Tools & Samples

      Access member resources and tools to streamline HR tasks.

      • Forms & Checklists
      • How-To Guides
      • Interactive Tools
      • Job Descriptions
      • Policies
      • Toolkits
      SEE ALL
      Ask an Advisor
  • Events & Education
    Events & Education

    SHRM25 in San Diego, June 29 - July 2, 2025
    Join us for SHRM25 in San Diego

    Register for the World’s Largest HR Conference being held on June 29 - July 2, 2025

    • Events
      • SHRM25
      • The AI+HI Project 2025
      • INCLUSION 2025
      • Talent 2026
      • Linkage Institute 2025
      SEE ALL
      Webinars
    • Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance credibility among peers and employers.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

    • Team Training & Development

      Customized training programs unique to your organization’s needs.

  • Business Solutions
  • Advocacy
    Advocacy

    Make your voice heard on public policy issues impacting the workplace.

    Advocacy
    SHRM's President & CEO testifies to Congress on "The State of American Education"
    • Policy Areas
      • Workforce Development
      • Workplace Inclusion
      • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
      • Workplace Governance
      • Workplace Health Care
      • Workplace Immigration
      State Affairs

      SHRM advances policy solutions in state legislatures nationwide.

      Global Policy

      SHRM is the go-to for global HR leaders and businesses on workplace matters.

    • Advocacy Team (A-Team)

      SHRM’s A-Team is a key member benefit, giving you the tools, insights, and opportunities to shape workplace policy and drive real impact.

      Take Action

      Urge lawmakers to support policies that create lasting, positive change.

      Advocacy & Legislative Resources

      Access SHRM’s curated policy materials and content.

    • SHRM-Led Coalitions
      • Generation Cares
      • The Section 127 Coalition
      • Learn More & Partner with SHRM Government Affairs
  • Community
    Community

    Woman raising hand in group
    Find a SHRM Chapter

    Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

    • Chapters

      Find local connections from over 607 chapters and state councils and create your personalized HR network.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      SHRM Northern California

      Join SHRM members in the greater San Francisco Bay area for local events and networking.

    • Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      • Membership Advisory Council
      • Regional Councils
    • Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

      • Volunteer Leader Resource Center
Close
  • Membership
  • Certification
    back
    Certification
    Smiling asian student studying in library with laptop books doing online research for coursework, making notes for essay homework assignment, online education e-learning concept
    Get Certified!

    Be recognized as an HR leader with your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential.

    • How to Get Certified

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations. No other HR certification compares.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Details and Fees
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me
      • Certification FAQs
    • Prepare for the Exam

      Give yourself the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.

      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      • Study Aids & Add-ons
    • Recertification

      Recertify your SHRM Credentials before your end date!

      • Specialty Credentials
      • Qualifications
  • Topics & Tools
    back
    Topics & Tools

    Stay up to date with workplace news and leverage our vast library of resources to streamline day-to-day HR tasks.

    The white house in washington, dc.
    Executive Order Impact Zone

    Do not abandon, but evaluate and evolve. It is about legal, equal opportunity for all.

    • News & Trends

      Follow breaking news and emerging workplace trends.

      Legal & Compliance

      Stay informed on workplace legal updates and their impacts.

      From the Workplace

      Explore diverse perspectives from your peers on today's workplaces.

      Flagships

      Get curated collections of podcasts, videos, articles, and more produced by SHRM.

    • HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      SEE ALL
      SHRM Research
    • Tools & Samples

      Access member resources and tools to streamline HR tasks.

      • Forms & Checklists
      • How-To Guides
      • Interactive Tools
      • Job Descriptions
      • Policies
      • Toolkits
      SEE ALL
      Ask an Advisor
  • Events & Education
    back
    Events & Education
    SHRM25 in San Diego, June 29 - July 2, 2025
    Join us for SHRM25 in San Diego

    Register for the World’s Largest HR Conference being held on June 29 - July 2, 2025

    • Events
      • SHRM25
      • The AI+HI Project 2025
      • INCLUSION 2025
      • Talent 2026
      • Linkage Institute 2025
      SEE ALL
      Webinars
    • Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance credibility among peers and employers.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

    • Team Training & Development

      Customized training programs unique to your organization’s needs.

  • Business Solutions
  • Advocacy
    back
    Advocacy

    Make your voice heard on public policy issues impacting the workplace.

    Advocacy
    SHRM's President & CEO testifies to Congress on "The State of American Education"
    • Policy Areas
      • Workforce Development
      • Workplace Inclusion
      • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
      • Workplace Governance
      • Workplace Health Care
      • Workplace Immigration
      State Affairs

      SHRM advances policy solutions in state legislatures nationwide.

      Global Policy

      SHRM is the go-to for global HR leaders and businesses on workplace matters.

    • Advocacy Team (A-Team)

      SHRM’s A-Team is a key member benefit, giving you the tools, insights, and opportunities to shape workplace policy and drive real impact.

      Take Action

      Urge lawmakers to support policies that create lasting, positive change.

      Advocacy & Legislative Resources

      Access SHRM’s curated policy materials and content.

    • SHRM-Led Coalitions
      • Generation Cares
      • The Section 127 Coalition
      • Learn More & Partner with SHRM Government Affairs
  • Community
    back
    Community
    Woman raising hand in group
    Find a SHRM Chapter

    Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

    • Chapters

      Find local connections from over 607 chapters and state councils and create your personalized HR network.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      SHRM Northern California

      Join SHRM members in the greater San Francisco Bay area for local events and networking.

    • Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      • Membership Advisory Council
      • Regional Councils
    • Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

      • Volunteer Leader Resource Center
Join Today
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
  • Store
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
  • About
  • Book a Speaker
  • Foundation
  • Executive network
  • CEO Circle
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Linkage Logo
SHRM
Sign In
  • Account
    • My Account
    • Logout
Close

  1. Topics & Tools
  2. Workplace News & Trends
  3. Compensation & Benefits
  4. 6 Ways to Measure the Success of Financial Wellness Efforts
Share
  • Linked In
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus convallis sem tellus, vitae egestas felis vestibule ut.


Error message details.

Copy button
Reuse Permissions

Request permission to republish or redistribute SHRM content and materials.


Learn More
News

6 Ways to Measure the Success of Financial Wellness Efforts

Employers are missing out on opportunities to improve these programs

January 4, 2019 | Joanne Sammer

Isometric business concept with people and graphs on a blue background.


Financial wellness programs, such as those that promote savings and teach household budgeting skills through online or group instruction, are proliferating as employers invest in efforts to help workers manage their finances. However, only 30 percent of employers measure the effectiveness of these offerings, according to a 2018 study of 657 employers conducted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Without those measurements, employers may be missing out on opportunities to improve these benefits and may not even have a clear idea of what they want to achieve by offering them, such as reducing employees' money-related stress so they can be more productive at work.

Finding the Right Metrics

The challenge in measuring such programs is defining what they mean for the organization. In terms of less employee stress, for instance, should employers focus on the financial return on the investment? Is financial wellness part of a larger strategy to enhance the organization's brand in the view of current and prospective employees? Or is the focus on improving employees' lives, whether or not that improves their job performance?

To help organizations answer these questions, benefits advisors recommend that employers focus on these six metrics.

1. Use and engagement.

Financial wellness programs won't make much difference if employees aren't using them. By relying on vendors' data, employers can track the number of workers signing up for financial wellness offerings, completing tutorials and related activities, and taking measurable steps toward better financial management.

2. Benefits and payroll data—positive indicators.

Employers can use data from their employee benefits plans to check up on employees' financial health. Increased enrollment in and contributions to retirement plans, automatic savings programs and health savings accounts (HSAs) can indicate that employees have extra money to save and invest for future needs.

The number of employees contributing the maximum to retirement plans and HSAs may indicate that financial wellness programs are having a positive effect, as can the number of employees taking advantage of employer-sponsored group life, disability and other safety net coverages.

3. Benefits and payroll data—negative indicators.

Payroll and 401(k) plan data on the number of outstanding 401(k) loans, the frequency of 401(k) hardship withdrawals and loan defaults, and the number of emergency or payday loans can help employers understand the level of financial hardship employees are experiencing. The number of, frequency of and reason for pay garnishments is also important. "People with manageable debt have fewer or no garnishments," said Laurie Brednich, CEO of HR Company Store, a Chandler, Ariz.-based website that helps HR professionals find vendors. "If many of these garnishments are for medical expenses, perhaps a company needs to revisit their benefit plan designs."

[SHRM members-only how-to guide: How to Design an Employee Benefits Program]

4. Turnover.

It is difficult to draw a straight line between employee retention and financial wellness, but that doesn't mean employers shouldn't try to track the connection between the two. "While no single wellness benefit drives retention, holistically, wellness benefits show your company cares—and that does drive retention," said Carla Dearing, CEO of Sum180, a mobile financial wellness services provider based in Louisville, Ky.

5. Absenteeism, productivity and health care costs.

Lack of financial well-being can increase employees' stress and on-the-job distraction. Data on disability and workers' compensation claims, as well as on health benefits claims for stress-related illnesses, can help employers measure the results of financial wellness benefits.

Similarly, "tracking absenteeism rates over 18 to 24 months among program participants versus nonparticipants can give employers a sense of how a particular financial wellness program is working to reduce employee stress," said Chris Whitlow, CEO of financial wellness platform Edukate in Orlando, Fla.

6. Front-line feedback.

Employees and front-line managers can tell HR whether and how workers are benefiting from financial wellness efforts—if HR asks. Employees and managers can also help organizations understand how those programs may not be resonating with the workforce. "[HR could] reach out to supervisors and ask how many people are requesting overtime consistently," Brednich said. "Employees who frequently request overtime usually want the extra money to pay down debt."

Employers can gather some of this data themselves, but they should also request data from financial wellness vendors and, as appropriate, from health and retirement benefits providers.

Financial wellness metrics-cp.jpg

Source: Benefits and Beyond: Employer Perspectives on Financial Wellness, a Prudential Financial report. The fall 2017 survey received responses from 777 U.S. businesses with at least 100 full-time employees.

'Holistic' Offerings Yield Greater Value

"Even defining what is meant by financial well-being and what constitutes financial wellness initiatives can be challenging," said Lori Lucas, president and CEO of the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, D.C.

Core features of a financial wellness program typically include help with managing credit card loans, budgeting tools and financial counseling. In a 2018 EBRI survey, employers cited plans as varied as employee discount programs, student loan repayment subsidies and emergency savings accounts as part of their arsenal of financial wellness initiatives.

Employers that offered holistic (meaning ongoing and multifaceted) financial wellness programs rather than periodic campaigns or one-time initiatives were more likely to try to raise employees' appreciation of their benefits, according to EBRI's Financial Wellbeing Employer Survey, which was conducted in July 2018 with responses from 250 full-time benefits decision-makers at companies with at least 500 employees.

Employers cited a wide range in costs for their financial wellness initiatives, with 43 percent reporting the annual cost per employee as $50 or less. But employers offering holistic programs spend more to achieve more, with 21 percent of these employers citing an average annual cost per employee of more than $500.

"Because employers are generally footing the cost for these programs themselves, they want to be able to demonstrate that the programs are effective," Lucas said. "Once the pilot or one-off program is implemented, we're hearing that the key is to demonstrate its success so that it can be made more broadly available."

EBRI found that at 80 percent of the employers surveyed, an HR professional was either a primary or secondary champion of introducing financial wellness initiatives.

Joanne Sammer is a New Jersey-based business and financial writer. Stephen Miller, CEBS, contributed to this article.
 

Related SHRM Articles:

The 10 New Benefits Workers Want, SHRM Online, December 2018

Financial Wellness Perks Expand to Address Employee Needs, SHRM Online, July 2018

How Improving Financial Health Boosts Productivity, SHRM Online Benefits, December 2017

Take a Team Approach to Financial Wellness, SHRM Online, October 2017

Benefits
Business Acumen
Retirement Benefits

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

​An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.



Related Content

Kelly Dobbs Bunting speaks onstage at SHRM24
(opens in a new tab)
News
Why AI+HI Is Essential to Compliance

HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.

(opens in a new tab)
News
A 4-Day Workweek? AI-Fueled Efficiencies Could Make It Happen

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.

(opens in a new tab)
News
How One Company Uses Digital Tools to Boost Employee Well-Being

Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.

HR Daily Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest HR news, trends, and expert advice each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Manage Subscriptions
  • About SHRM
  • Careers at SHRM
  • Press Room
  • Contact SHRM
  • Book a SHRM Executive Speaker
  • Advertise with Us
  • Partner with Us
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Post a Job
  • Find an HR Job
Follow Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • SHRM Newsletters
  • Ask An Advisor

© 2025 SHRM. All Rights Reserved

SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Disclaimer


  1. Privacy Policy

  2. Terms of Use

  3. Accessibility

Join SHRM for Exclusive Access to Member Content

SHRM Members enjoy unlimited access to articles and exclusive member resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Limit Reached

Get unlimited access to articles and member-exclusive resources.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join to access unlimited articles and member-only resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join the Executive Network and enjoy unlimited content.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join and enjoy unlimited access to SHRM Executive Network Content.

Already a member?
Unlock Your Career with SHRM Membership

Please enjoy this free resource! Join SHRM for unlimited access to exclusive articles and tools.

Already a member?

Your membership is almost expired! Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew now

Your membership has expired. Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew Now

Your Executive Network membership is nearing its expiration. Renew now to maintain access.

Renew Now

Your membership has expired. Renew your Executive Network benefits today.

Renew Now