Financial wellbeing in 2026: The crisis is real, but not insurmountable

The latest research is alarming. Financial stress drives absence, distraction and lost productivity – and almost half of UK adults now feel the strain of money troubles. In this evidence-packed piece, Benifex’s Gethin Nadin highlights the crisis we’ve arrived at. In 2026, he urges employers to take one clear, tangible step to build financial resilience and, in turn, improve performance.
40% of workers experience weekly financial stress, as wages fail to keep pace with inflation

New research reveals the stark reality of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, with two in five workers experiencing weekly financial stress while wages stagnate and essential spending cuts become the norm.