BenefitHub survey finds financial stress rising for U.S. workers

By AI, Created 4:10 AM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – A BenefitHub survey of more than 25,000 U.S. employees found 57% now feel pessimistic about the economy, up 10 points from a year earlier. Workers are cutting health spending, delaying big life decisions and leaning more on discounts as inflation keeps squeezing household budgets.

Why it matters: - Financial strain is changing how U.S. workers spend, save and plan for the future. - The survey points to pressure that reaches across income groups, age bands and household types. - The shift could affect employee well-being, retention and long-term financial stability.

What happened: - BenefitHub Intelligence surveyed more than 25,000 U.S. employees from April 14-17, 2026. - Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported economic pessimism, up 10 percentage points year over year. - Fifty-five percent described their relationship with money as anxious. - Nineteen percent said they felt overwhelmed or mentally checked out because of financial stress.

The details: - Two in three employees said they worried about affording essentials such as groceries, clothing and household items at least once in the past six months. - Among workers ages 25-34, 64% reported economic pessimism and 9% said they felt optimistic. - Fifty-six percent of employees earning more than $200,000 a year also reported pessimism. - Inflation was cited by 79% of respondents as the main source of financial pressure. - Interest rates were named by 30% of respondents. - Job insecurity was named by 16% of respondents. - Savings and investments fell as a top-three priority for 24% of employees, down from 44% six months earlier. - Health and wellness fell to 25% from 45% over the same period. - Among employees ages 25-34, 34% postponed buying a home. - In that same age group, 22% delayed having a child and 15% put off marriage.

Between the lines: - The findings show workers are making short-term tradeoffs that can weaken long-term financial health. - Younger employees appear to be taking the biggest hit as they try to build households and careers at the same time. - BenefitHub also said 92% of employees now use discounts, cash back offers or perks in some form, suggesting workplace savings tools are becoming a pressure valve. - BenefitHub platform data showed hotel bookings hit a 15-month high in April 2026, flight sales rose 79% from November 2025 and concert sales reached $1 million in a single month. - One BenefitHub member said the platform helped the family take vacations and create memories with less financial stress.

What’s next: - The full report is available here. - BenefitHub will likely keep emphasizing savings and perk tools as workers continue to look for ways to stretch household budgets. - The survey suggests affordability will remain a central employee concern if inflation stays elevated.

The bottom line: - U.S. workers are still under pressure, and many are sacrificing savings, wellness and major life plans just to keep up.