When talking about money worries eases the burden

MaPS looks at how talking about money can drive better financial wellbeing, and how employers can support this.

Research shows that talking about money can have a broad, positive impact on people’s financial wellbeing – and employers can play a role in making this happen.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s-length body in the UK which exists to support people’s financial wellbeing, with a vision of "better financial futures for everyone in need".

MaPS has found that people often struggle to talk money – but the benefits of doing so are significant.

In September 2025, a MaPS survey of over 2,400 UK adults and found that:

Just over four in ten (44%) feel comfortable talking to their friends about money
Just over half (52%) feel comfortable talking to their family about money.

Some of the reasons people weren’t comfortable were that they felt embarrassed, judged or that they’d ‘failed’ in some way.

As well as struggling to talk money, many also lack confidence when it comes to managing their finances. MaPS’ MoneyView 2026 survey of over 12,000 UK adults showed that 41% don’t feel confident managing their money, and 63% aren’t satisfied with their current financial situation.

How talking can help

Money stigma can stop people from getting the guidance and support they need – but talking about money can change this, and encourage people to take positive steps.

Research conducted by Coventry University and supported by MaPS shows that talking about money can help to build people’s financial confidence and resilience.
People who talk about money:

Make better and less risky financial decisions
Have stronger personal relationships
Help their children form good lifetime money habits
Feel less stressed or anxious, and more in control.

The research also found that both “informal and formal conversations about money have a valuable role in supporting good financial wellbeing”. One of the challenges is creating the stage for ‘quality’ money conversations – with quality “determined by whether the conversations:

are timely,
include trusted organisations or individuals,
are conducted to suit the individual and
take place through a convenient channel.”

The role of employers in money conversations

A 2022 YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults in Great Britain showed that just 21% would feel comfortable discussing financial stress with an employer. Yet, almost half believe it’s a workplace’s responsibility to improve their financial wellbeing beyond what they’re legally obliged to do.

The survey also found that:

80% believe that stress around financial wellbeing can lower performance in the workplace
61% believe that a workplace’s ability to support their financial wellbeing plays a part in deciding to join (or stay at) their workplace
24% feel that their workplace doesn’t clearly explain the financial support it can offer them.

Right now, many employees and their families are feeling cost-of-living pressures, are worried about their job security or have questions about retirement.

MaPS' Talk Money Week campaign, held every year in November, is a great platform for starting conversations about money, with the aim of breaking taboos and building employees’ confidence in managing their finances.

What is Talk Money Week

Talk Money Week is MaPS’ campaign to get everyone in the UK talking about money. This year’s event is 2-6 November.

Every year has a unique theme, and this year’s theme is 'It All Counts' – highlighting the difference a small action can make and encouraging people to focus on realistic, manageable steps.

MaPS provides a free participation pack with resources to help you easily access the campaign’s materials, with quick ways to bring the financial wellbeing conversation to your staff.

Many employers who get involved in Talk Money Week will:

signpost to our free money guidance via their intranet or in communal areas
encourage employees to take a Money Midlife MOT, assessing their current financial situation and plan for the future
ask partners from their assistance or pension schemes to run sessions on their platforms, and explain what they can do towards financial wellbeing
run expert-led webinars, allowing employees to ask money questions and talk more freely about their worries
launch anonymous staff surveys or working groups to understand what money worries are affecting staff.

MaPS can offer free support to help get any ideas off the ground. Our partnerships managers, each of whom covers a different region of the UK, will be happy to discuss how Talk Money Week can work for your organisation.

Promote your involvement

Employers taking part in Talk Money Week will be encouraging good financial wellbeing among their staff, and we want this message to be shared widely so that others follow suit.

MaPS provides free social media resources, making it easier for employers to promote their involvement in improving their employees’ financial wellbeing. Organisations can join in with the hashtags #TalkMoney and #ItAllCounts.

Getting support

Whether it’s through Talk Money Week or day-to-day support, Money and Pensions Service will be happy to support employers who are looking to improve the financial wellbeing of their staff.

You can sign up to MaPS’ newsletter, which will provide more details about Talk Money Week and how employers can get involved over the coming months, including the launch of the participation pack.