Expert Opinion

The average American's personal debt is $21,800, which is why employers need to provide employees with the the right financial tools, such as budgeting worksheets, money management apps and individualized financial counseling.

"Maxing out your 401(k)" is hard when employees are struggling to make ends meet and their paycheck barely covers expenses. That's why employers need to go beyond the obvious to give employees practical information they need.

Since It's the first law that links employees' payment of student debt with the statutes governing defined contribution retirement plans, Congress is hoping the result is greater retirement savings in America – but only time will tell.

Competitive workplace financial benefits are growing increasingly important, with access to personal financial coaching a powerful way to help employees better navigate both their benefits and their wider financial lives.

Employees are turning to their employers as the epicenter for financial information and desire advice on their financial assets outside the 401(k) plan, such as life insurance and emergency savings.

If you are an honest, decent person, it is amazing the amount of information that is available to you in the public domain. However, a word of caution: Be careful how you find it and how you use it.