The Employee Benefit Research Institute's sixth Annual Workplace Wellness Survey finds workers value balance and benefits, but disengagement persists as inflation and health costs remain top worries.
While American workers report easing concerns about their personal finances compared with recent years, worries about overall well-being are on the rise according to findings from the Sixth Annual Workplace Wellness Survey, released on February 9, 2026, by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research. Inflation and health care costs continue to be the most significant sources of concern for workers.
The survey finds that although a majority of workers are satisfied with their jobs and value work-life balance, many feel disengaged and uncertain about the economy, health care affordability and long-term security.
The Sixth Annual Workplace Wellness Survey examined worker attitudes toward employment-based benefits in the workplace, as well as a broad spectrum of financial and mental well-being, employment-based health insurance and retirement benefit issues. A total of 1,401 American full-time and part-time workers ages 21–64 were interviewed. Information was gathered through 20-minute online survey interviews conducted from July 18–August 5, 2025.
“Even as workers tell us their personal financial stress has eased compared with a few years ago, inflation and health care costs remain persistent pressure points—and that strain is showing up in rising concerns about overall well-being. The results suggest employers have an opportunity to strengthen engagement by pairing competitive benefits with greater flexibility and support that helps people feel more secure,” said Jake Spiegel, senior research associate, EBRI.
Key findings in the new research report include:
• Concerns about physical, mental and workplace well-being have climbed slightly, but financial well-being concerns have eased since 2022. Concern about physical, mental and workplace well-being was slightly higher in 2025, with workers rating their level of concern an average of 5.8 out of 10. Additionally, there was a general trend of concern about financial well-being decreasing, with financial well-being concerns dropping from 6.9 to 6.3 between 2022 and 2025. Concerns about the economy going into a recession impacting finances in the next 12 months was the same as 2024 (80%), but 40% said the U.S. economy is currently in a recession. Inflation (89%), the cost of health care (87%) and the cost of health insurance (86%) are other top concerns for American workers.
• Fifty-six percent of workers were very or extremely satisfied with their current job, with only 13% expressing dissatisfaction. About 66% of the workers reported that their employers’ efforts to help employees manage their overall well-being has stayed the same, with 23% saying efforts have increased. Just over one-third rated their employer highly in improving their financial well-being. Work-life balance (53%) and doing meaningful work (42%) contributed most to workers’ sense of workplace well-being.
• Work-life balance continues to be valued by American workers. Over half (53%) of the workers indicated that work-life balance is one of the top three benefits valued most, outside of income and compensation. Eight in 10 workers were at least somewhat satisfied with the PTO benefits they get at work. While paid vacation and paid sick time were still the PTO benefits offered most frequently, paid volunteer time (24%), paid sabbatical (20%), child care (20%) and elder care assistance (14%) all increased in 2025.
• Workers reported similar satisfaction with their benefits package as in prior years, with top suggestions for improvement being a greater employer contribution and more flexibility of benefits to choose from. Over four in 10 workers were extremely/very satisfied with their benefits package, in line with prior years. Top improvements suggested were greater financial contributions from their employer (48%), more flexibility of choice (34%), more resources/benefits to help with financial well-being (33%) and PTO conversion (31%). Health insurance was most often mentioned as a top benefit when deciding whether to stay at a current job or leave (72%), followed by a retirement savings plan (62%).
• Workers were somewhat open to using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to help navigate benefits and finances, but significant shares were skeptical. Half of the workers are comfortable using AI-powered tools or resources to help manage their finances and a similar share is comfortable using AI tools for customized employee benefit plan recommendations. Generally, workers are comfortable using AI tools to do their own work (61% agree) and over half say that AI tools can help them do their job more efficiently. Yet more than a third are concerned that increased use of AI may eliminate their job, which is an increase from 2024.
“Work-life balance continues to be a defining priority for workers, and this year’s findings suggest they’re looking for benefits that don’t just exist on paper but make day-to-day life easier—whether that’s more flexible work schedules, time off or benefit options they can tailor to their needs. At the same time, we’re seeing cautious interest in using AI to help people navigate benefits and finances, paired with real skepticism and worry about what expanded AI use could mean for jobs. The takeaway from this research is that employers have an opportunity: pair stronger flexibility and modern, understandable benefits with responsible, transparent use of AI that builds trust and helps employees feel more supported,” said Greg Hershberger, managing director, Health and Benefits, Greenwald Research.
To review the complete 6th Annual Workplace Wellness Survey report, visit https://www.ebri.org/health/Workplace-Wellness-Survey.
The survey was made possible with support from AARP, Evernorth, Fidelity Investments, Mercer, Morgan Stanley, Mutual of Omaha, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Unum Group and Voya Financial.
The Employee Benefit Research Institute is a non-profit, independent and unbiased resource organization that provides the most authoritative and objective information about critical issues relating to employee benefit programs in the United States. The organization also coordinates activities for the Center for Research on Health Benefits Innovation, Financial Wellbeing Research Center, Retirement Security Research Center and produces a variety of leading industry surveys during the year.
For more information, visit www.ebri.org.
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