Voice of the American Workplace
Employers are working harder. Employees are worrying more. This year’s survey explores the disconnect—and the opportunity to turn insight into action and clarity into a competitive advantage.
Three consistent themes define the 2026 workplace
benefits landscape:
Report findings
Retirement engagement is on the rise
While financial pressures remain real—with 80% of employers reporting increased requests for help and 79% seeing more 401(k) loan requests—employees are simultaneously becoming more intentional about their retirement futures. Nearly half (49%) are now maxing out their employer 401(k) match, a significant jump from just 38% in 2025, signaling a growing focus on long-term financial security even amid short-term challenges.
Turning insight into action
Solutions designed to simplify complexity, support financial well-being and help employers deliver better retirement outcomes.
The first QDIA-eligible managed advice option delivering personalized asset allocation advice to each individual retirement plan participant.
Explore award‑winning retirement solutions designed to help employers support long‑term outcomes and workplace financial confidence.
In today’s volatile environment, helping individuals protect what they’ve already saved can be just as important as helping them grow it.
Download the Voice of the American Workplace 2026 key findings report
Additional resources
Content designed to complement the full report and give you additional formats for reviewing and sharing the survey’s most important findings with clients.
A two-page overview of the survey’s key statistics formatted for quick reference.
A deeper analytical perspective on the survey’s themes that connects the data to actionable benefit design strategies.
FAQs
What is the Voice of the American Workplace?
The Voice of the American Workplace is Franklin Templeton’s annual research study examining how employers and employees are navigating today’s workplace pressures—from financial stress to long‑term retirement readiness. The findings highlight where clearer guidance and better‑designed retirement benefits can make a meaningful difference.
What is driving increased financial stress in today’s workforce?
The research shows that employees are facing growing uncertainty around savings, retirement security and financial well‑being, while employers are balancing rising benefit costs and workforce expectations. The gap between worker expectations and what employers can offer is placing new pressure on workplace retirement programs to do more.
Why is retirement becoming a more urgent focus for employers?
Increased employee engagement with retirement plans and greater use of plan features, such as loans, signal both heightened awareness and competing financial needs. This reinforces the importance of retirement solutions that are designed for long‑term outcomes while supporting today’s workforce realities.
How can advisors help employers respond to these challenges?
Advisors play a critical role in helping employers translate workplace insights into action—by aligning plan design, investment solutions and participant strategies with the evolving needs identified in the research.
How can retirement benefits become a competitive advantage for employers?
By offering retirement programs that are thoughtfully designed, clearly communicated and built to support long‑term financial security, employers can improve employee confidence, engagement and retention.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The Voice of the American Employer Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton from November 7 to 20, 2025. All 1,004 respondents, based in the United States, are classified as employers, defined as having at least some influence over company benefits and/or hiring at organizations with over 100 employees. Respondents represent a mix of industries, company size, role, age and race. Findings from 2023 and 2024 reference studies of similar natures that were conducted among 1,000 and 1,002 respondents of the same qualifications by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton from November 6 to 17, 2023, and November 25 to December 6, 2024.
The Voice of the American Worker Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton from November 7 to 19, 2025, among 2,000 employed US adults. All respondents had some form of retirement savings. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. Findings from previous years reference studies of similar natures that were conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton. Those studies are from October 16 to 28, 2020, among 1,007 employed US adults, from October 28 to November 15, 2021, among 1,005 employed adults, from October 17 to 27, 2022, among 1,000 employed adults, from November 9 to 21, 2023, among 2,001 employed adults, and from November 27 to December 10, 2024, among 2,018 employed adults.
This material is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized investment advice, a recommendation or a solicitation to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. Franklin Templeton accepts no liability for losses arising from use of this material. Always consult a qualified professional or your own independent financial professional for personalized advice or investment recommendations tailored to your specific goals, individual situation and risk tolerance.
Franklin Templeton is not affiliated with The Harris Poll, Harris Insights & Analytics, a Stagwell LLC Company.