New Transamerica research finds gap between confidence and preparedness among employees

Employees may feel resilient, but new research from Transamerica suggests many are less prepared for major health or life events than they think.

The report, "What makes employees resilient: A multidimensional perspective," finds workers rate their overall resilience in the low 80s on a 100-point scale, with similar scores for health and finances. The findings point to a workforce that feels capable, but may not be fully equipped to respond when unexpected situations arise.

The research frames resilience as a whole-person issue shaped by the interaction of health, finances, risk awareness and knowledge, highlighting an opportunity for employers to take a more connected approach to benefits and education.

Financial concerns tied to health events

Survey results show a clear connection between health and financial security, as well as gaps in preparedness.

Approximately 60% of respondents say they worry about losing income or being unable to care for their families during a major health event. Fewer than 60% say they are prepared to pay for a health care emergency, and about the same share report having at least three months of emergency savings.

At the same time, roughly 7 in 10 respondents say they are in good physical and mental health. The contrast suggests that even employees who feel healthy may still face financial vulnerability if a serious issue arises, underscoring the gap between confidence and preparedness.

Resilience shifts across life stages

The report finds that resilience and financial confidence vary by age.

Confidence tends to peak among employees in their 30s and 40s, while workers in their 20s and those in their 50s and 60s report lower levels of financial confidence. Those groups also are less likely to say they rarely feel stressed about their finances than workers in their 30s and 40s.

The findings indicate that resilience is influenced by life stage and personal circumstances, including financial experience and changing priorities, with similar challenges appearing at both ends of the workforce.

Gaps in understanding benefits

Employee benefits can help workers prepare for uncertainty, but the research suggests many employees still do not fully understand how to use them. About one-third of respondents say they do not fully understand their benefits or financial options.

That gap matters because even though most employees say financial protection is important, many are not taking a fully prepared approach. Almost 69% describe financial protections as essential, yet nearly half say tools such as insurance and emergency savings are unnecessary.

The findings suggest that access to benefits alone is not enough. Clearer education may help employees better understand their options and prepare for real-life challenges.

A broader view of resilience

The report defines resilience as the interaction of health, finances, risk awareness and knowledge.

Across these areas, most employees report a baseline level of confidence. About two-thirds say they understand basic financial concepts, and a similar share say financial well-being is important to overall quality of life.

At the same time, the research shows that gaps in preparedness and understanding can affect how well employees are able to respond when challenges arise. For employers, the findings point to an opportunity to strengthen resilience through more integrated benefits and clearer education.

About the research

The findings are based on a survey of 1,007 full-time workers ages 21 to 65 who receive benefits through their employer. Respondents were asked about their health, financial situation, risk tolerance and understanding of benefits and financial options.