PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — Fewer U.S. workers report being stressed about their financial situation, but nearly 70% still feel at least some strain, according to a new report from PNC Bank.
The bank on Wednesday released findings from its third annual “Financial Wellness in the Workplace Report,” based on surveys and interviews with more than 1,000 workers and 500 employers.
Overall, 68% of employees said they were somewhat or very stressed about money, down slightly from 70% in 2024 and 71% in 2023. Employers also reported less concern, with 69% saying they believe their workers are stressed, compared with 78% last year and 71% in 2023.
The report highlighted generational differences. Forty-eight percent of baby boomers said they felt better off in 2025 than in 2024, compared with 38% of Generation X, 31% of millennials and 18% of Generation Z.
Most workers expressed at least some confidence in managing debt. Gen Z and Gen X respondents reported being less concerned about student loans than a year ago, while boomers expressed fewer concerns about auto or finance loans. Millennials’ debt worries remained unchanged.
Confidence in meeting retirement goals also varied. Gen X respondents were the least confident, with 43% saying they believed they would meet their goals. About half of millennials and boomers said they were confident, while Gen Z was the most optimistic at 56%. However, the survey found a gap between worker and employer perceptions: 78% of employers said they believe their workers are prepared for retirement, compared with 45% of employees.
The survey also pointed to the role of financial wellness benefits in employee retention. Eighty-one percent of workers said they were more likely to stay with an employer that offers such programs. Ninety-six percent of employers said they believe they should provide financial wellness benefits, up from 94% last year, but only 30% of workers reported having access to financial planning benefits in 2025.
Meanwhile, 67% of employees said they live paycheck to paycheck, an increase from 63% in 2024. Still, 62% said they feel more in control of their finances this year, up from 56% last year.
“Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each with its own set of financial goals,” said Kaley Keeley Buchanan, senior vice president and head of PNC Organizational Financial Wellness. “To attract and retain top talent, employers must offer individualized benefits that resonate across age groups and life stages.”