Author: Nikki Kennedy

529 Plans Have Evolved. Most Financial Wellness Strategies Haven’t.   By Kevin George For many HR leaders, 529 plans are still viewed primarily as a long-term college savings tool designed for employees with young children. That perception is outdated.  529 plans are much more flexible, and relevant to a broader group than HR leaders always realize. Our employees are navigating through a more complex landscape than seen in the past, including rising living costs, student loan...

Introducing a Financial Wellness Benefit — A Practical Roadmap  By Chelsea Elledge Selecting the right financial wellness partner is only the first step. The real determinant of success is how the program is introduced, communicated, and integrated into the broader benefits ecosystem.  Begin with leadership alignment.  When leaders actively champion a benefits program, it signals that employee well-being is a genuine organizational priority. Leadership should understand the...

Measure What Matters — Outcomes, Not Activity  In many organizations, the success of a new benefit is celebrated when enrollment targets are hit. Participation dashboards light up. Awareness campaigns show strong open rates. But enrollment is not the same as impact. If financial wellness initiatives are to be taken seriously at the executive level, they must demonstrate measurable change in both employee outcomes and business performance.  At the employee level, this means tracking...

Build the Exit Ramp — Responsible Credit Access  By Asesh Sarkar We often begin financial wellness conversations with education: budgeting tools, savings nudges, financial literacy workshops. These are important. But they are insufficient if an employee is simultaneously paying 160%, 300%, or even 600% APR in the shadow lending market.  The difference between mainstream and high-cost credit is life-changing. For employees with strong credit profiles, borrowing $1,000 over twelve...