The TELUS Mental Health Index has revealed that 58 percent of US workers identify the cost of living as their primary financial stressor, significantly overshadowing concerns about retirement savings and emergency funds, which are at 12 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Published on September 2, 2026, the report emphasizes a critical link between employees’ financial wellbeing and workplace productivity.
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According to the Index, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of US workers experience anxiety related to financial issues, and one in nine never stops worrying about money. Financial strain is affecting productivity, with over 15 percent of workers indicating that personal financial stress is directly harming their work performance. Furthermore, more than one in seven workers admit that financial challenges negatively impact their job productivity.
The report highlights a concerning benefits literacy gap, with 46 percent of US workers stating they do not fully understand the retirement plans to which they contribute. Additionally, 23 percent lack emergency savings to meet basic needs, and those without such savings are three times more likely to report declines in productivity.
Paula Allen, Global Leader of Research and Insights at TELUS Health, noted that for many US workers, immediate survival concerns have overshadowed long-term financial planning. She stated that these financial anxieties, combined with a lack of support, result in operational costs for employers, underscoring the connection between employee financial health and workplace psychological safety.