Only 23% of Gen Z self-report their financial wellness as excellent or very good — down from 39% in 2022. Guardian's latest research discovered that, in general, the younger the worker, the worse off financially. Self-reported positive financial health increases steadily with age; with every generation, financial wellness increases.
Methodology and sample characteristics
The Guardian 12th Annual Workplace Benefits Study was fielded in January and February of 2023 and consisted of two online surveys: one among benefits decision-makers (employers) and another among working Americans (employees), allowing us to explore benefits issues from both perspectives. Survey data collection and tabulation were managed for Guardian by Zeldis Research, an independent market research firm located in Ewing, NJ.
Unless otherwise noted, all information contained in this report is from the 12th Annual Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2023, or from the 11th Annual Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2022.
Employee survey
Employee results are based on a survey conducted among 2,000 employees age 22 or older, who work full time or part time for a company with at least five employees. The survey sample is nationally representative of US workers at companies of at least five employees.
Data shown in this report have been collected in a way to reflect the actual proportion of US workers by gender, region, race, ethnicity, education level, household income, age, and employer-size, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. The margin of error is +/- 2.1% at the 95% confidence level.
Guardian’s Workforce Well-Being Index™ (WWBI) measures consumer attitudes in three core areas: financial wellness, physical wellness, and emotional wellness, and ranks them on a 10-point scale.