Morgan Stanley study shows employees seeking beefed-up benefits

Morgan Stanley study shows employees seeking beefed-up benefits
Sixty percent of workers say they're focusing more on their financial benefits compared to a year ago, according to the firm's survey.
SEP 22, 2022

Employers better not be stingy with their financial benefits because workers are paying more attention to their compensation plans, according to a new Morgan Stanley report.

The firm's second annual Workplace Financial Benefits Study released Wednesday showed 60% of employees say they're focusing more on their financial benefits compared to a year ago. The survey revealed that a near unanimous 96% of workers agree that their company should ensure it offers the best benefits available in their industry, a figure in line with the views of human resources professionals surveyed.

Furthermore, the study showed that employees are seeking additional benefits, even though more executives say they are already offering quality financial benefits. According to the study, 84% of HR leaders, up from 78% in 2021, recall a recent time when “an employee has requested a specific type of financial benefit that their current company does not offer.”

The data reflect July surveys of 1,000 employed U.S. adults and 600 HR company leaders.  

“In 2021, the effects of Covid were still being felt by many employees when it came to their finances, yet now in 2022, we face a new set of challenges and a very different economic environment," Brian McDonald, head of Morgan Stanley at Work, said in a statement. "Amid persistently high inflation, many employees are seeking help managing their short and long-term financial needs, such as budgeting, reducing debt, building emergency savings and planning for retirement.”

McDonald added that “many employers are stepping up to tackle these challenges, yet there remains more work to be done.”

The report reflected those unmet challenges, showing that both employers and employees agree there's more work to do. Almost all the HR professionals surveyed (96%) say “their company needs to do a better job helping employees understand how to maximize the financial benefits offered to them,” a slight increase from a year ago (93%).

On the other side, employees largely agree with those HR leaders, with 89% saying their company needs to do a better job helping employees maximize financial benefits, once again up from 2021 (87%).

'IN the Nasdaq' with John McDonough, head of US wealth management intermediaries distribution at Invesco

Latest News

New York Dems push for return of tax on stock sales
New York Dems push for return of tax on stock sales

The looming threat of federal funding cuts to state and local governments has lawmakers weighing a levy that was phased out in 1981.

Human Interest and Income Lab streamline workflows for retirement-focused advisors
Human Interest and Income Lab streamline workflows for retirement-focused advisors

The fintech firms' new tools and integrations address pain points in overseeing investment lineups, account monitoring, and more.

Buy or sell Canada? Wealth managers watch carefully as Canadians head to the polls
Buy or sell Canada? Wealth managers watch carefully as Canadians head to the polls

Canadian stocks are on a roll in 2025 as the country prepares to name a new Prime Minister.

Carson, Lido strengthen RIA networks with bicoastal deals
Carson, Lido strengthen RIA networks with bicoastal deals

Carson is expanding one of its relationships in Florida while Lido Advisors adds an $870 million practice in Silicon Valley.

Goldman gets shareholder backing on $80M executive bonus packages
Goldman gets shareholder backing on $80M executive bonus packages

The approval of the pay proposal, which handsomely compensates its CEO and president, bolsters claims that big payouts are a must in the war to retain leadership.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.