As employers seek to contain costs and simultaneously provide meaningful new benefits to employees, one area stands out as a natural – financial education in the workplace. For many organizations "financial wellness" already has gained traction, accompanying programs that promote physical health for employees. Both physical and financial wellness foster a more productive and loyal workforce, with less absenteeism.

"We know from our research that few employees are confident that they are making the right financial decisions for their families and want decision support in the convenience of the workplace, which has really become the foundation for such decision making," notes Michael K. Farrell, executive vice president, Distribution, for MetLife.

According to MetLife's 9^th Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study, 78% of employers say that employees worried about personal financial problems are less productive at work, and 52% of employees report being interested in receiving financial advice and guidance in the workplace – a number that leaps to 81% among employees who acknowledge that financial concerns have impacted their job attendance or productivity.