Financial Wellness Month: A New Year’s Resolution Employers Can’t Afford to Ignore

January is a month defined by fresh starts. Employees everywhere are setting New Year’s resolutions — promising to save more, spend less, and finally get a handle on their financial lives. 

It’s no coincidence that January is also Financial Wellness Month, a reminder that while individuals may be eager to improve their financial habits, they often lack the tools, knowledge, and support to make those resolutions stick.

For retirement plan sponsors, this moment presents a powerful opportunity. Financial wellness isn’t just a feel‑good initiative; it’s a strategic investment in the health and productivity of the workforce.

The Weight of Financial Stress in the Workplace

Financial stress is one of the most pervasive and persistent burdens employees carry. Studies show that money worries follow people into the workplace, affecting concentration, engagement, and even physical health. When employees are unsure how to budget, save, or prepare for emergencies, their stress levels rise — and productivity drops.

As employees attempt to tackle financial resolutions in January, many quickly discover that they’re largely on their own. Unfortunately, many workers lack the building blocks to financial wellness: how to build a budget, manage debt, or understand their retirement plan options. Without guidance, resolutions fade, and stress takes over.

Why Employers Should Lean In

Employers are uniquely positioned to change this dynamic. When organizations invest in financial wellness programs, whether through education, tools, coaching, or more intuitive retirement plan design, they help employees turn resolutions into real progress, and the payoff can be significant:

• Reduced financial stress leads to better focus and fewer distractions.
• Improved productivity emerges as employees feel more secure and confident.
• Higher retirement readiness strengthens long‑term workforce planning and can reduce overall company healthcare costs.
• Greater employee loyalty grows when workers feel supported beyond their day‑to‑day tasks.

Helping employees save for retirement is only part of financial wellness; the real goal is to prepare them to manage their finances at every stage of life.

A Resolution for Employers

As Financial Wellness Month unfolds, retirement plan sponsors have a chance to champion a meaningful resolution of their own: commit to helping employees build lasting financial well‑being.

This could mean enhancing plan communication, offering financial education workshops, integrating digital planning tools, or partnering with advisors who can provide personalized guidance. Even small steps can make a measurable difference.

Employees want to improve their financial lives, but they shouldn’t have to figure it out on their own. By stepping in with thoughtful support, employers can help transform January’s resolutions into year‑round financial confidence.

How can IMA help?

IMA is here to partner with you every step of the way by offering creative solutions to support your employees as effectively as possible.  Please reach out to your IMA plan contact today to discuss employee education planning for the year and explore opportunities to enhance plan design. You can also learn more about our Financial Wellness Solution, which is designed to meet employees where they are and guide them toward their next steps in achieving their long-term goals.

For assistance with your retirement needs, contact an IMA Retirement advisor at retirement@imacorp.com or call 877.305.1864.