Employers are facing a variety of hurdles, handling internal and external pressures amidst a tightening labor market and rising benefit costs.
Racing to meet increasing challenges
Seeking stability in uncertain times
Workers are facing a longer and more uncertain path to financial security, increasing their need for stability, clarity and dependable support from their employers.
Finding common ground
While there is pressure felt by both companies and workers, trust and collaboration can be strengthened upon for a stronger employer-employee relationship.
Report findings
- Employer
- Worker
- Common ground
Employer
VOICE OF THE AMERICAN EMPLOYER
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.
Worker
VOICE OF THE AMERICAN WORKER
Seeking income stability and personalized support
As financial uncertainty grows, workers are actively seeking solutions—and turning to their employers for guidance. An overwhelming 91% want to better understand their financial benefits and 84% trust their employer’s programs to act in their best interest. This trust is proving critical: 58% say they may not have started saving without features like auto-enrollment and guaranteed lifetime income options are gaining traction as workers look for protection against outliving their retirement savings.
Common ground
FINDING COMMON GROUND
Good intentions lost in translation
Employers and workers are consistent in what they both value: fair pay, strong benefits and constructive support. Yet a perception gap persists. While 81% of workers believe their benefits are communicated effectively, the reality tells a different story: 73% of employers report fielding repeated questions and more than half of employees report feeling overwhelmed by the number of options and admit they dont fully understand or maximize what’s available. Both sides prioritize the same enhancements—pay raises, 401(k) matches, guaranteed income options—but alignment on priorities doesn’t mean alignment on understanding or expectations about what’s achievable now.
Workplace retirement solutions
Explore award‑winning retirement solutions designed to help employers support long‑term outcomes and workplace financial confidence.
Capital preservation
In today’s volatile environment, helping individuals protect what they’ve already saved can be just as important as helping them grow it.
DC managed advice
The first QDIA-eligible managed advice option delivering personalized asset allocation advice to each individual retirement plan participant.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 October 27, 2022, among 1,000 employed adults, from November 9 to November 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.