Emergency savings benefits address student loan and retirement stressors

Financial stress is nearly universal among American workers, and with increasing financial pressures paralyzing employees' saving power, employers need to rethink their offerings to provide emergency relief. 

According to data from SecureSave, an emergency savings account benefit platform, 97% of employees are experiencing financial strain, and 71% are reporting moderate to extreme levels of stress. This mounting pressure is taking a toll on the workplace, contributing to higher absenteeism and increased stress around financial pressures, from student loan repayment to retirement readiness. 

"Far too many hardworking Americans are living on the edge — just one unexpected expense away from financial disaster," Suze Orman, personal finance expert and co-founder of SecureSave, said in the release. "Emergency savings accounts are a must. They give employers a real and affordable way to step up, show true care for their employees, and protect their own bottom line. When workers are financially secure, everyone wins."

Immediate financial pressures are mounting

Long-and short-term financial challenges are a continuous burden on employees today. Recent policy changes under the Trump administration, for example, resumed collections on defaulted federal student loans in 2025, ending the pandemic-era pause. The administration has also proposed consolidating repayment options into fewer plans, as well as cutting back on forgiveness opportunities and benefits for public sector workers. 

Additionally, responsibility for student loan management is being shifted from the Department of Education to the Small Business Administration, raising concerns about long-term oversight and borrower support.

Read more: Student loan debt is stressful. Benefit managers have the power to help 

These constraints are impacting daily and longer-term financial needs, too: 46% of workers reported skipping essential expenses such as medical care or car repairs, while 33% have made decisions that negatively impacted their retirement savings, according to the SecureSave study. Alarmingly, one in seven employees believes they will never be able to retire.

Employer-provided benefits can play a pivotal role in reducing financial stress and supporting employee well-being at all stages of the employee life cycle. Student loan repayment assistance plans enable employers to contribute directly to employees' loan balances. Employers can offer up to $5,250 per year in tax-free student loan repayment assistance through 2025. 

Meanwhile, to support employees in their retirement savings journey, the SECURE 2.0 Act offers 401(k) matching for student loan payments, allowing workers to make loan payments while still receiving retirement plan contributions. 

Read more: What financial wellness benefits do employees need?

Beyond direct financial support, employers can ease burdens through tuition reimbursement programs, access to loan refinancing tools, and comprehensive financial wellness programs that provide budgeting resources, debt management support, and personalized financial counseling.

Emergency savings benefits add up

Financial stress is not just a personal problem — it's an organizational issue with real economic consequences. SecureSave found that 40% of employees have missed work due to financial stress, costing employers nearly $700 per year for each hourly worker. 

Read more: Emergency savings accounts can help achieve benefits equity

By embracing forward-thinking benefits that directly address student loan debt and financial insecurity, employers can enhance retention, productivity, and morale while helping workers build more stable financial futures.

"Today's workers are caught in a vicious cycle of financial stress undermining both their current productivity and long-term security," Devin Miller, CEO and co-founder of SecureSave, said in the release. "Emergency savings solutions offer employers a practical, high-ROI way to invest in their people while strengthening the bottom line."