30 Oct 2025

How financial education can maximise employee benefit value

Zest looks at why it’s vital for employers to provide financial education to employees, and some providers that can help to improve awareness around financial wellbeing.

When it comes to employee benefits education that leads to financial wellbeing is not something we can ignore. It’s a vital necessity.

With consumers hit by ongoing cost of living pressures and food/utility bill rises, employees are now demanding more financial support.

Zest’s research found that one in five (19%) businesses are unable to raise salaries in line with inflation. In fact, 27% of businesses say they have lost talent because of this.

With an eye on maximising value from employee benefits, simply increasing investment into your offering will not always equate to the most effective package.

Financial education can play such a pivotal role in your overall proposition and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Want vs the need

Despite 49% of employers confirming that they are increasing investment into their benefits package, employees continue to struggle with rising financial pressures.

In fact, Zest’s research found that the top 5 benefits being demanded by employees at present are all financial perks or assistance. These include:

Private medical insurance – 32%
Increased pension contributions – 30%
Contributions to energy costs at home – 25%
Workplace saving schemes – 21%
Discounts on high-street shops and brands – 21%

There is a problematic disconnect between employee expectations and reality. The unwelcome spectre of inadequate benefits packages continues to ring true, with 56% of employees saying they don’t use their benefits as they are not relevant to them.

So, how do you negotiate irrelevant benefit packages while also prioritising financial wellbeing?

Employers must ensure that their employee benefits, and their employee benefits technology, is tailored to the specific needs of their workforce, and that the benefits are clearly communicated and easy to access in order for them to have a genuine impact and effectively support employees.

Even the most cost-effective benefits can be incredibly successful if they effectively meet the needs of employees on a personal level, be it a particular benefit selection or education.

The demand for more financial benefits and education is there for all to see. And now it’s time employers provide it.

Knowledge is power

Flexible, personalised support strategies are key to building a more holistic approach to employee education.

By increasing communication and engagement with colleagues, employers can use their employee benefits technology to educate their people on the importance of financial wellbeing, helping to impact the decisions they make that impact everyday spending.

Whether that’s via your company portal or personalised communications, ensuring employees have access or simply know the location of your financial wellbeing tools and resources can help them ‘benefit’.

Zest’s financial literacy partners

Zest has a number of Marketplace partners who are helping to improve the finances of employees up and down the country. They include:

Maji: Financial wellbeing and money management platform that helps employees take control of their money with open banking tools, improve their financial health with a tailored coaching plan, get 1-1s with trusted coaches and advisors, work towards goals with a financial plan, and understand how existing employee benefits are relevant for them.
Money Guided: AI-powered, digital financial assistant that helps your staff better understand and take control of their finances. It attempts to bring an individual’s entire financial life together, connecting accounts and policies into one secure and easy-to-manage place.
LifeStage: People-first financial wellbeing solution designed to empower employees at every stage of their financial journey. Combining innovative technology with expert human support, it provides a holistic approach to achieving lasting financial confidence.
Lifetime FM: Offers clear, jargon-free financial education, planning, and advice to individuals and employers alike. Understanding that navigating the complexities of personal finance can be overwhelming, their goal is to simplify the process and make financial knowledge accessible to all.
MoneyFit: Cost-effective digital employee financial wellbeing solution to improve employees’ confidence, control and capacity with finances. It uses interactive tools and plain English educational content, to demystify finances and help with making informed decisions about money.