Franklin Templeton has released the sixth annual Voice of the American Workplace Survey, showing a communication gap preventing shared priorities from translating into employee confidence. Employers and employees are aligned on priorities – higher pay, stronger retirement benefits and long-term financial security but a lack of clear communication is limiting employee confidence.
The findings point to a workplace where effort is high, but impact is uneven. Employers are expanding benefits, flexibility and technology, yet many workers remain uncertain about their financial future.
“What this research shows is not a lack of effort, but a lack of clarity,” said Steve McKay, Head of U.S. Retirement, Insurance and College Savings, Franklin Templeton. “Employers are investing more than ever but employees need simpler, more actionable guidance to turn those benefits into real financial confidence.”
Employers Face Pressure on Talent, Costs and Complexity
- 67% say attracting talent is harder than retaining it
- 81% need benefit budgets to increase significantly in the next 12 months
- 68% say benefits have become more complex
- 88% prioritize reducing employee financial stress
As financial pressures grow, employers are increasingly becoming the front line for employee financial wellbeing, supporting everything from retirement readiness to day-to-day financial stress.
Workers Prioritize Stability Over Advancement
Workers are redefining success around security, not upward mobility:
- 72% say job security matters more than higher pay
- 52% say it’s harder to move up or earn a raise
- Expected retirement age has risen to 59, up four years from 2023
- 91% want more personalized retirement investment options
“Employees want benefits that are relevant, personalized and easy to understand,” said Mike Dullaghan, Director of Retirement Sales Execution, Franklin Templeton. “Communication is critical to helping them make confident financial decisions and we’re committed to being part of the solution.”
The Gap: Complexity vs. Clarity
- 88% of workers want benefits explained in plain language
- 53% feel overwhelmed by benefit choices
- 73% of employers say employees repeatedly ask the same questions
- 71% of workers trust their employer’s financial guidance
The disconnect is not priorities, rather it is communication. When benefits are too complex or technical, employees struggle to act on them.
The Opportunity: Turn Alignment Into Action
Employers and employees agree that pay, retirement benefits and long-term income solutions are where investments can be made to create a clear path forward. Both groups prioritize increasing pay, boosting 401(k) matches and investing in guaranteed retirement income solutions.
To close the gap, employers should:
- Simplify benefit design and communication
- Focus on clear, actionable guidance
- Personalize solutions to employee needs
Employers can also take immediate steps by reassessing how benefits are communicated and ensuring investment options such as target date strategies and capital preservation solutions reflect today’s market conditions.
Organizations that prioritize clarity over complexity have an opportunity to build trust, improve engagement and deliver better financial outcomes.
Methodology
The Voice of the American Employer Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton from November 7–20, 2025, among 1,004 U.S.-based employers with influence over company benefits and/or hiring decisions.
The Voice of the American Worker Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Franklin Templeton from November 7–19, 2025, among 2,000 employed U.S. adults with retirement savings.
This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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