Franklin Templeton Survey Reveals Communication Gap in Workplace Benefits
Event summary
- Franklin Templeton's 2026 Voice of the American Workplace Survey found alignment between employers and employees on priorities like higher pay and stronger retirement benefits, but a communication gap undermines employee confidence.
- 81% of employers expect benefit budgets to increase significantly in the next 12 months.
- 73% of employers report employees repeatedly asking the same questions about benefits.
- The expected retirement age has risen to 59, up four years from 2023.
The big picture
Franklin Templeton's survey highlights a growing trend where employers are taking on more responsibility for employee financial wellbeing, but struggling to translate expanded benefits into tangible confidence. With $1.7 trillion in assets under management, Franklin Templeton is well-positioned to influence how the asset management industry approaches workplace financial solutions. The findings suggest that clear communication could become a competitive differentiator in talent retention.
What we're watching
- Benefit Simplification
- How employers will streamline benefit designs and communication to improve employee understanding.
- Personalization Trends
- Whether employers can deliver more personalized retirement investment options as employees demand.
- Financial Wellbeing Focus
- The pace at which companies integrate financial stress reduction into their HR strategies.
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