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A new Bank of America survey paints a clear picture: financial stress is growing for U.S. workers. Around two-thirds (66%) say they feel stressed about money, marking one of the sharpest increases since last year. The share of employees who feel financially well fell from 52 percent to just 47 percent in 2025.
This matters for anyone earning a paycheck or running a business. Financial stress touches daily life, work focus, and overall health. With living costs rising faster than paychecks, understanding these trends can help both employees and employers find better ways to manage and support financial well-being.
Rising Financial Stress Among U.S. Workers
The Bank of America survey shows a clear uptick in the number of American workers feeling the crunch when it comes to their money. With 66% of workers saying they are stressed about finances, stress is near a record high. Even with 68% expressing optimism about their long-term outlook, current money pressures are weighing workers down. The overall financial well-being score keeps dropping, and more employees now report that living costs are racing ahead of their income. For many, the day-to-day reality is tougher than it was just a year ago.
Key Survey Findings
When you look at the numbers, the financial pressure is hard to ignore. Here are some of the most telling stats from the latest Workplace Benefits Report:
- 66% of U.S. workers say they are stressed about money.
- Only 47% feel financially well, down from 52% last year.
- 85% of employees carry some form of personal debt.
- 58% have credit-card debt, the most common type.
- 26% of workers are seeking financial help from their employer—a number that is double what it was in 2023.
These numbers show money worries are widespread, with most workers dealing with at least one financial stressor. Even as nearly 7 out of 10 workers remain hopeful about the future, real-time challenges like debt and high living expenses are impacting many.
Demographic Variations
Not everyone feels financial stress the same way. The numbers shift quite a bit based on age, savings habits, and retirement confidence.
- Among Gen Z adults, a striking 72% are taking real action to improve their finances. However, 55% still lack enough emergency savings to get through three months without income.
- Millennials also face a savings gap, with 49% reporting that they don’t have enough set aside for emergency expenses.
- Women are less confident about retirement. Only 59% of women feel good about their retirement prospects, compared to 72% of men.
Here is a quick breakdown:
| Group | Taking Financial Action | Lack Emergency Savings | Retirement Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 72% | 55% | n/a |
| Millennials | N/A | 49% | n/a |
| Women | N/A | N/A | 59% |
| Men | N/A | N/A | 72% |
What does this mean in daily life? Younger adults are hustling harder, but many are still one paycheck away from trouble. Women, in particular, are feeling less certain about their financial futures. These gaps matter because they shape how workers plan, save, and ask for help.
As rising costs keep putting pressure on budgets, these stress points reveal why so many Americans are watching their finances closer than ever.
Causes of Increased Stress
Growing financial stress among U.S. workers ties back to some key causes. Rising living costs, debt pressures, and pay that lags behind price hikes are stacking up. When workers feel their paycheck doesn’t go as far, the result is daily worry, uncertainty about the future, and more people looking for help.
Inflation and Living Costs
Inflation is biting hard. Consumer prices are now about 22.5% above what they were in February 2020. Think of it this way: for every $100 you used to spend, you now need over $122 just to buy the same things. That shift hits every monthly bill, from groceries to utilities.
Bank of America’s 2025 survey finds a striking point: 76% of workers believe living costs are outpacing any income gains. When the cost of living races ahead of paycheck growth, it isn’t just a math problem. It’s a source of daily stress, making it harder for families to make ends meet or get ahead. Workers are left stretching budgets thinner each month, sometimes making tough choices about what to pay first or what to cut.
Many find themselves:
- Cutting back on basics, like food and transportation
- Delaying big purchases or trips
- Feeling constant pressure each time prices rise
All of these create a sense of financial instability that follows people to work and affects their focus and mood.
Debt Burden
Debt is another major weight on workers’ minds. The majority of employees (85%) hold some form of debt. Most common is credit-card debt, which 58% of employees carry—often at high interest rates.
This kind of debt isn’t just a number in an online account. It can mean unwanted surprises each month and less flexibility if unexpected expenses pop up. Debt pressures can snowball, creating more anxiety as balances sometimes creep higher instead of shrinking, even as people keep paying.
Key stress points with debt include:
- High monthly payments that eat into take-home pay
- Fear of missed payments and extra fees
- Less breathing room for savings or fun
Over time, the mental load of “owing” becomes daily background noise. Many workers report it saps their energy, making it hard to focus at work or enjoy their time off.
Stagnant Real Wages
Even with pay increases, workers are losing ground. Since 2020, average hourly earnings have climbed by 19.2%. But inflation jumped even more, rising by 20.6%. The result is a 1.1% decline in real wages—meaning every dollar earned now buys less than it did five years ago.
Here’s the impact in simple terms:
- Raises aren’t keeping up with rising prices
- Paychecks go out as quickly as they come in
- Big-picture financial goals get pushed further away
One major consequence: 40% of workers say they plan to delay retirement due to financial instability. Retirement milestones that once seemed possible are now slipping out of reach, adding another layer of stress, especially for those nearing retirement age.
| Year | Avg. Hourly Earnings Growth | Inflation Growth | Change in Real Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2025 | +19.2% | +20.6% | -1.1% |
When people see their buying power shrink, optimism fades. Planning for the future feels harder, especially when immediate needs keep taking priority.
These financial realities underline why so many U.S. workers say stress is part of their daily routine. Looking at the root causes helps explain the numbers and gives a clearer picture of what workers are facing.
Impact on Employees and Employers
Financial stress doesn’t clock out at the start of a workday. It finds its way into meetings, lunches, and team projects, shaping how people think, react, and perform. For employers and workers alike, the ripple effects of this growing worry reach much farther than just personal bank accounts. The latest Bank of America survey pulls back the curtain on what this looks like on the ground.
Productivity Loss
When someone is worried about money, their mind can wander in the middle of a task or even during an important call. According to recent research, financially stressed employees spend as much as three hours each week managing personal financial issues while on the clock. That’s time that could have gone into work projects, thinking creatively, or supporting co-workers.
For a business, this adds up. Experts estimate this lost productivity costs roughly $3,922 per employee every year. For companies with large teams, the hidden price tag can stretch into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s what this looks like in practice:
- Employees might be sorting out a bill or loan payment during work hours.
- They may pause often, distracted by thoughts of how to cover next week’s expenses.
- It can take longer to refocus, especially if the stress is ongoing.
A team with even a handful of worried members could quickly lose out on valuable time and energy. As a result, deadlines may be missed, customer service slips, or new ideas get overlooked.
Employee Well‑Being
The financial squeeze isn’t just about dollars and cents — it chips away at how people feel, both inside and outside the office. The survey found 77% of workers are worried about the state of the economy. Stress like this can drain morale, drag down mental health, and make it harder for anyone to stay engaged at work.
Common effects of this stress include:
- Feeling anxious or restless at work, especially when bills are due
- Emotional exhaustion that shows up as lower energy or withdrawal from team activities
- Less willingness to participate or take on new projects
This steady pressure weakens overall company culture. Teamwork may suffer, and workers may call in sick more often. In some cases, stressed employees are much more likely to look for a new job just to escape the constant worry.
In summary, money worries are more than a personal issue — they leave noticeable dents in focus, well-being, and the bottom line for businesses across the country.
Employer Responses and Gaps
Money stress is pushing more workers to seek help from their jobs, but there’s a growing gap between what employees want and what most companies deliver. As budgets tighten, people no longer see a paycheck as enough. They expect their employer to recognize money stress as a real workplace issue and help lift some of that burden with practical tools and advice.
Growing Demand for Financial Wellness Programs
This year shows a huge jump in employees who want help from work, especially on day-to-day financial choices. In Bank of America’s latest report, 26% of workers now say they want near-term money guidance from their employer, up dramatically from 13% just last year. More people are asking for help on things like emergency savings, paying off debt, and handling short-term expenses.
Employers are noticing. Nearly all, 96%, say that offering financial wellness benefits helps keep their people. They see a real connection between supporting employees with money questions and keeping them happy, loyal, and engaged at work.
Biggest takeaways from the current climate:
- Demand for near-term help has doubled, driven by higher living costs and everyday money struggles.
- Employers see retention value, so they’re using these programs as a key way to keep talent from leaving.
Current Adoption Rates
Even though more people want support, the reality is a bit uneven. Here’s how the numbers break down right now:
| Employer Size | Offer Financial Wellness Programs |
|---|---|
| Large Firms | 54% |
| Small Firms | 32% |
54% of big companies offer these programs, while only about a third of small companies do. That leaves a big gap for many workers, especially those at smaller businesses, who might want support but can’t get it through work.
Put simply, the demand for help is outpacing what employers are providing. Employees see these programs as important, but not every workplace is keeping up—especially when resources are stretched.
Best Practices for Support
The pressure is on for employers to not just offer flashy benefits, but to deliver tools that actually make a difference. Employees have been clear about what works for them. The best financial wellness programs offer:
- Emergency savings tools: Simple ways for workers to build a buffer for life’s surprises.
- Debt repayment counseling: Personalized advice to help employees reduce what they owe and avoid high-interest traps.
- Retirement planning resources: Guidance and tools that make long-term saving feel possible, not overwhelming.
- Equity and stock awards: Opportunities for ownership, which can motivate and anchor employees to the company.
The payoff for companies is clear. Survey data shows that 80% of employees would stay longer if their employer offered these kinds of benefits. For businesses looking to hold onto talent in a tight labor market, these programs aren’t just nice extras—they’re part of the new playbook for employee loyalty.
As demand grows, employers who bridge the gap with practical, employee-focused support will stand out. Those who lag behind risk losing their best people to firms that take financial stress seriously.
Conclusion
Rising financial stress now touches most U.S. workers, fueled by growing debt, the sting of inflation, and paychecks that often fall short. The pressure shows in the latest numbers and in daily workplace struggles, as businesses lose both focus and dollars when money worries spill over.
Now is a good time to reflect on personal finances and ask if your workplace helps support your financial goals. If you manage a team or company, look beyond the basics. Closing the support gap with real financial wellness programs isn’t just the right move for your people, it can also protect your bottom line.
With the right steps from both employees and employers, it’s possible to build a healthier, more resilient workforce. Thank you for reading—if you have thoughts on what helps most when money stress strikes, share them below. Better financial wellness is within reach, and what we do next could shape stronger workplaces for years ahead.
