While employees report feeling more positive about their wellbeing, the gains tell only part of the story. According to research released today by Alight (NYSE: ALIT), financial and healthcare challenges still affect the workforce, and employees want support that makes these difficult decisions easier. Clear communication and practical guidance matter most when employees are making decisions that affect their health, security, work and families.

The 2026 Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study, a survey of more than 2,500 U.S. employees, finds that more employees are struggling with financial uncertainty and healthcare regret. As many as 45% of employees worry the money they have or save won’t last. As well, 67% regretted a healthcare decision in the past year, up six percentage points from 2025 and nine percentage points from 2024.

As U.S. workers navigate financial uncertainty, rising healthcare costs and complex benefits decisions, providing benefits alone may not be enough. Employees increasingly need quality support at the right moments to understand and use those benefits effectively to help them make more confident decisions about their health, finances and critical life events.

“The findings from this year’s U.S. Employee Mindset Study reinforce a simple but important truth: employees crave support that helps them lead healthier and more financially secure lives,” said Laine Thomas Conway, Engagement and Enablement Leader for Delivery at Alight. “Employers can make a meaningful difference by helping employees navigate complex decisions with greater confidence and communicating their benefits strategically. When people feel fully supported across the spectrum of benefits, they are better positioned to improve their wellbeing, strengthen their financial future and bring their best selves to work.”

Key findings from the 2026 Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study

Financial wellbeing is closely tied to productivity and retention

Financial pressures persist among employees, driven by overall economic instability. The study indicates that half of all U.S. employees feel their finances control their lives, while 41% say they are just getting by financially. The impact extends beyond finances, with the report showing a clear connection between financial wellbeing and the employee experience.

The workplace implications are significant. Employees with high financial wellbeing scores are 20 percentage points more likely to report being always or often productive at work than those with low financial wellbeing. While only 32% of employees with high financial wellbeing report being open to other job opportunities, that figure climbs to 55% among those with low financial wellbeing.

For employers, the findings suggest that financial wellbeing is more than an individual employee concern. Helping employees feel more financially secure can also support a more productive, engaged and stable workforce.

Healthcare regret is increasing as employees struggle with complex decisions

Healthcare decisions are another growing source of uncertainty. Sixty-seven percent of U.S. employees regretted a healthcare decision in the past year, up six percentage points from 2025 and nine percentage points from 2024.

While the reasons vary, turning to non-medical professionals for advice or not asking questions at all before jumping into treatment top the list. What’s more, 55% of respondents who needed a healthcare service in the past year didn’t receive it, most often due to cost and long wait times.

For employers, the findings underscore the importance of helping employees better understand and navigate the benefits and resources already available to them. When employees know where to find trusted support, they are more likely to use their benefits effectively instead of relying on guidance that may be unreliable or putting care on hold due to financial pressures, enabling more informed healthcare decisions when it matters most.

Employees are worried about taking a leave of absence—and some aren’t taking leave they need.

Financial and job-related uncertainty is also influencing employees’ decisions about taking leaves of absence. More than half (51%) believe taking a leave could affect their career advancement, and 36% did not take a leave they needed. Beyond economic and job stability concerns, 32% of U.S. employees who did not take needed leave said the process was too difficult.

Employers have an opportunity to better support employees during critical life events by simplifying the leave experience and providing navigation that guides employees throughout the process—from planning a leave of absence to accessing their benefits.

AI use—and comfort—is increasing in the workplace

U.S. employees are feeling hopeful about AI and the impact it is having on the workplace, signaling a growing comfort with these tools. The U.S. Employee Mindset Study found:

  • 64% of respondents report using AI at work at least once a week, while 28% use AI every day.
  • 53% are confident they can keep their stills relevant as AI grows.
  • More employees are hopeful (40%) or excited (38%) than concerned (23%) or suspicious (21%) of AI.

The U.S. study’s findings also suggest that employees are embracing employer implementation of AI tools in benefits communication. In fact, 65% of workers would be interested in receiving personalized messaging from their employer around certain benefits and programs.

Together, these findings point to an opportunity for employers to blend technology with human expertise to make benefits easier to understand, more personalized and more useful when employees need them most.

“The conversation around benefits is evolving. Success is no longer measured by the breadth of benefits offered, but by the outcomes they help deliver,” said Rohit Verma, CEO at Alight. “Organizations invest significantly in benefits, but where the investment delivers returns is when employees can make informed, independent decisions that improve their health, financial security and overall wellbeing. As workforce needs become more complex, employers have an opportunity to use data-driven insights, personalization and scalable support models to help employees take action with confidence. The result is a workforce that is healthier, more productive and better positioned for long-term success.”

About this study

Alight’s annual Employee Mindset Study examines the current state of employee wellbeing, workplace culture, total rewards and technology—with insights garnered directly from the employees. These findings empower employers to enhance their wellbeing and workplace strategies, ultimately boosting competitiveness, engagement, productivity and performance.

For the 16th annual 2026 U.S. Employee Mindset Study, we surveyed 2,500 U.S. employees, working both full- and part-time for organizations with a minimum of 1,000 employees. Collected during May and June 2026, this diverse sample reflects a wide range of demographics and employment segments.

Additionally, for the first time, the Employee Mindset Study expanded to Canada, surveying 1,000 employees and producing a dedicated Canadian Employee Mindset Report. Similar themes are found among Canadian workers along with an even greater desire for employer support and resources. The Canadian study also explores topics specific to the benefits landscape in Canada, offering targeted insights into employees’ unique needs and expectations.

About Alight Solutions

Alight is a leading benefits administration provider of health, wealth, leave and point solutions for many of the world’s largest organizations and over 30 million people. Through the administration of employee benefits, Alight helps clients gain a benefits advantage while building a healthy and financially secure workforce by unifying the benefits ecosystem across health, wealth, wellbeing, absence management and navigation. Our Alight Worklife® platform empowers employers to gain a deeper understanding of their workforce and engage them throughout life’s most important moments with personalized benefits management and data-driven insights, leading to increased employee wellbeing, engagement and productivity. Learn more at alight.com.

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