Workers trust their employer's financial advisors, but most still doubt they can retire

Nine in ten employees trust the financial advisors made available to them through work, yet most remain unconvinced they will be able to retire comfortably, according to new research.

The findings come from NFP's 2026 US Retirement Trend Report, which surveyed 1,000 US working adults involved in household financial planning decisions. The report found that 89% of employees trust employer-provided financial advisors, while 69% are unsure they can retire comfortably, exposing a gap between confidence in the resource and confidence in the outcome.

According to NFP, the disconnect is less about mistrust and more about inaction. Employees say they value the guidance on offer but are not following through, as rising living costs and financial strain push retirement further out of reach.

A majority of employees (62%) say one-on-one meetings with financial professionals are the most useful retirement-planning resource available to them and 84% say they would consider working with an advisor if given the chance. That leaves a wide margin between stated interest and actual participation.

Several obstacles are keeping employees from taking that step, with the most common, cited by 24% of respondents, being the perception that they do not earn or have enough to invest. An equal share question whether meeting with an advisor is worth it, while 20% worry about fees and 19% say they are unsure how a financial professional could actually help them.

"Employer-provided financial advisors play a central role in how American workers approach retirement planning," said Espinoza. "One-on-one guidance is especially effective in helping employees navigate complex decisions, build confidence and turn intention into action, but too many employees aren't taking the necessary first step."

Financial toolkit

The share of workers who are off track for retirement rose from 68% in 2025 to 72% this year, NFP found, as cost-of-living pressures and job security concerns continue to weigh on long-term savings.

Those pressures are reshaping expectations for how retirement will be funded. Among employees aged 55 and older, 41% now expect Social Security to serve as their primary source of retirement income. Separately, 46% of all respondents said they are deprioritizing retirement savings, or unable to save at all, as housing costs, car payments and healthcare expenses take precedence.

"When employees feel confident in decisions that impact their long-term financial stability, it can improve focus, engagement and overall wellbeing," said Jans. "Helping employees make financial decisions that are realistic, informed and achievable leads to better outcomes for individuals, their employers and the communities they serve."

Employer efforts to promote these resources appear to be losing ground. Just 42% of employees say they are aware of the services available to them, and 34% know how to use them, down from 55% and 44% a year earlier. NFP said this represents a clear opening for employers to communicate more clearly and help staff set realistic, achievable goals.

The gap extends to specific offerings beyond core retirement accounts. On average, 25% of employees said they were unsure whether a particular non-401(k) benefit was even available to them, pointing to a broader literacy issue that reinforces the case for direct, personal guidance.

"Even when resources are available, limited awareness and understanding are leading to inconsistent engagement, leaving many employees without the support needed to make meaningful progress," said Espinoza.

Opportunity for plan sponsors

NFP said the data points toward a clear opportunity for plan sponsors.

"What we see consistently is that employees who engage with a financial professional, even once, make more confident decisions going forward," said Jans. "That first conversation often changes how employees approach their financial future."

The firm is urging plan sponsors to go beyond simply offering retirement benefits, calling for greater efforts to raise awareness, expand access to personalized guidance and remove friction from connecting employees with advisors.

"The path to better retirement outcomes already exists inside most organizations; it just needs a clearer on-ramp," said Espinoza. "When employees know who to talk to and how this conversation can help, a better financial future becomes more achievable."