October Health – 2025 Report

Financial Wellness in United States

The leading cause of financial wellness stress in the United States population is typically **income insecurity and debt burden**, including factors such as inadequate savings, high levels of consumer and medical debt, and uncertainty about job stability. This stress is often exacerbated by rising living costs and lack of access to affordable financial education or resources. Promoting workplace financial wellness programs and offering resources like October’s digital group sessions can help employees manage this stress effectively.

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Financial Wellness Prevalence
25.89%
Affected people
14,239,500

Impact on the people of United States

Effects of High Financial Wellness Stress on Health and Personal Life

  • Physical Health:

    • Increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and weakened immune system
    • Sleep disturbances like insomnia
    • Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal issues

  • Mental Health:

    • Heightened anxiety and depression symptoms
    • Lowered concentration and productivity at work
    • Increased risk of burnout and emotional exhaustion

  • Personal Life:

    • Strained relationships and social withdrawal
    • Reduced ability to engage in leisure activities or self-care
    • Increased conflict within family due to financial worries

Supporting employees with financial wellness programs and resources like October’s digital sessions can help reduce this stress, improving overall well-being and workplace performance.

Impact on the United States Economy

Effect of High Financial Wellness Stress on an Economy

  • Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing financial stress often have lower focus and motivation, leading to decreased work performance.
  • Increased Absenteeism: Financial worries can cause health issues and mental fatigue, resulting in more sick days taken.
  • Higher Healthcare Costs: Stress-related illnesses can increase healthcare expenses both for individuals and employers.
  • Lower Consumer Spending: Financial stress may cause people to cut back on spending, which slows overall economic growth.
  • Workplace Turnover: Employees under financial stress might seek new jobs for better pay or benefits, increasing recruitment and training costs.

Supporting employee financial wellness via programs like October's digital group sessions and assessments can mitigate these effects, improving both employee well-being and economic productivity.

What can government do to assist? 

 Strategies for a Country to Lower Financial Wellness Stress

1. **Promote Financial Education**
   - Implement mandatory financial literacy programs in schools.
   - Offer community workshops on budgeting, saving, and investing.

2. **Improve Access to Affordable Credit**
   - Regulate payday loans and high-interest lending.
   - Encourage credit unions and low-interest lending programs.

3. **Enhance Social Safety Nets**
   - Expand unemployment benefits and emergency aid.
   - Increase access to affordable healthcare to reduce unexpected expenses.

4. **Support Employer-Based Financial Wellness Programs**
   - Incentivize companies to provide financial counseling and benefits.
   - Offer digital group sessions and assessments like those from October to employees to increase awareness and coping strategies.

5. **Encourage Savings and Retirement Plans**
   - Provide tax incentives for savings.
   - Promote automatic enrollment in retirement plans.

Implementing these measures can reduce financial stress, improve overall well-being, and boost productivity in the workplace.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Provide Financial Education: Offer workshops or webinars on budgeting, debt management, and retirement planning.
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Ensure employees have access to confidential financial counseling services.
  • Access to Financial Tools: Provide budgeting software or apps to help employees track their finances.
  • Fair Compensation: Regularly review salary structures to ensure employees are paid competitively.
  • Emergency Savings Programs: Encourage or facilitate setting up emergency funds through payroll deductions.
  • Flexible Benefits: Include options like student loan repayment assistance or financial planning services.
  • Promote Resources Like October: Use digital group sessions and assessments to support employees’ financial and mental well-being collaboratively.