DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)– This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210824005649\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n Second wave of business insights for 2021<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nWhile recent variants of COVID-19 could bring extra hurdles to the recovery efforts small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are putting in place, the latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index\u2120 results show most businesses (82%) expect their financials to keep improving over the next 12 months and are ready to move forward when given the chance.\n<\/p>\n \nThe pulse survey of 500 employers from companies with two to 10,000 employees spans a diverse array of industries, with more than half of the employers falling within finance\/insurance, professional\/scientific\/technical, construction, manufacturing, and information management. Data shows that almost 70% of surveyed businesses have improved financials, compared to this time last year2<\/sup>, and 84% are comfortable with their cash flow despite the continuing impact of the pandemic.\n<\/p>\n Greater competition for talent means more benefits and digital access<\/b><\/p>\n \nWith the resiliency that small and medium-sized businesses have shown during the last 18 months and a national increase in hiring3<\/sup>, greater competition for talent is underway. Sixty-three percent of businesses reported being fully operational, driving the need for additions to their workforce, and more businesses say they\u2019re hiring, from fewer than one-third in March to nearly half in June.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cAs businesses start to ramp up operations, employers are dealing with the complex American labor shortage and a workforce empowered to determine where they want to work and what they want from an employer, making benefit offerings more critical,\u201d says Amy Friedrich, president of U.S. Insurance Solutions at Principal\u00ae. <\/sup><\/p>\n \nThe significant role employee benefits play in this recovery seems more apparent than ever. Employers are choosing certain benefits to address specific employee needs. A list of 18 benefits tracked by the survey\u2014everything from retirement savings to pet insurance\u2014made gains. A greater percentage of businesses plan to increase telehealth (42%), healthcare benefits (41%), and mental health\/well-being services (38%) in the next 12 months.\n<\/p>\n \nThe focused efforts to increase benefits are accompanied by changes to the way businesses are presenting them to their workforce. Sixty-five percent of businesses are improving digital access to benefits for employees, while only 14% lack any digital options. According to those surveyed, this digitalization addresses the need to help employees better understand their benefits (71%), onboarding employees online (62%), and the need of reducing paper (40%).\n<\/p>\n \nFriedrich explains that the unprecedented events of the last 18 months forced businesses to adapt in order to survive, and now they must become more competitive recruiters to grow again. \u201cToday, winning the differentiation battle has gone from experimenting with e-commerce to supporting a remote workforce and offering a full suite of resources at their fingertips, including benefits.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Financial wellness and retirement plans trending with employers <\/b><\/p>\n \nThere is broad agreement among employers that investing in financial wellness programs is also key to recovery. About 70% of employers agree with the positives of financial wellness programs, ranging from improving employee long-term financial planning to helping attract and retain talent. But only 62% of businesses currently offer financial wellness benefit programs.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe have seen increased interest in financial wellness programs and guidance from clients over the past year, with a growing understanding that these offerings are essential not just for employees, but also for business success,\u201d said Renee Schaaf, president of Retirement & Income Solutions at Principal. \u201cOffering impactful financial wellness solutions can be daunting, which is why it\u2019s so important that businesses of all sizes and industries have access to simple, customizable solutions.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nForty-five percent of businesses see access to a financial professional as the most useful financial wellness offering for employees (out of 25 options in the survey). That is followed by tax preparation services (35%), identity theft protection (34%), and savings programs for higher education (34%).\n<\/p>\n \nEmployers also acknowledged the importance of retirement plans to their workforce. Over 80%4<\/sup> of businesses see retirement plan offerings as essential in the attraction and retention of talent, and 74% of employers feel it is their role to help employees prepare for retirement.\n<\/p>\n \nThis desire for retirement plan offerings comes at a time when lawmakers are advocating for increased incentives and programs to help small and medium-sized businesses with retirement offerings. Many of these businesses, however, are not aware of these programs or their positive impact.\n<\/p>\n \nOf employers with less than 500 employees, a little under half5<\/sup> are aware of proposed legislation known as The Securing a Strong Retirement Act (SECURE 2.0) in Congress that could help them implement or expand retirement offerings. In contrast, 90% of businesses with 500 to 10,000 employees know about the proposed legislation.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe have a window of opportunity for businesses to get support in implementing retirement plans to aid their employees overall financial security,\u201d Schaaf said. \u201cWe are working to provide the best possible retirement solutions to small and medium-sized businesses as well as educate them on the options available to them now and in the future.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nFor more survey results, view the full infographic report (PDF)<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n About the Principal Financial Well-Being Index\u2120<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n \nThe Principal Financial Well-Being Index\u2120 surveys business owners, decision makers and business leaders aged 21 and over who work at companies with 2 \u2013 10,000 employees. The nation-wide survey, commissioned since 2012, examines the financial well-being of American workers and business employers. In response to COVID-19, the Well-Being Index was transformed from an annual survey to a quarterly pulse, offering three waves, revisiting questions and measuring sentiment regarding timely issues in the small and medium-sized business marketplace. The survey was commissioned by Principal and conducted online by Dynata<\/a> from June 14-22, 2021 with a total of 501 participants. The research report focuses on providing a holistic perspective on key trends and timely issues in the small and medium business market.\n<\/p>\n \nPrincipal developed a dedicated portal for employers designed to help business handle the effects of COVID-19 and a challenging economy in the months ahead. To learn more visit Navigating Business Now<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n About Principal Financial Group\u00ae<\/sup><\/b><\/p>\n \nPrincipal Financial Group\u00ae<\/sup> (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 18,000 employees[1]<\/sup><\/span> passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for more than 140 years, we\u2019re helping more than 45.5 million customers[2]<\/sup><\/span> plan, insure, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, improve our planet, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal\u00ae <\/sup>is proud to be recognized as one of the World\u2019s Most Ethical Companies[3]<\/sup><\/span>, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a Top 10 \u201cBest Places to Work in Money Management[4]<\/sup><\/span>.\u201d Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n [1]<\/sup><\/span> As of June 30, 2021. \nDynata is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group\u00ae
\nPrincipal Financial Group\u00ae<\/sup> reported today an increased focus on key employee well-being initiatives and how benefits are helping employers cope with the pandemic fluctuation as they also make businesses more competitive for the next phase of recovery and growth. Over 90% of surveyed businesses plan to increase at least one benefit in the next 12 months1<\/sup>.\n<\/p>\n![\"Second](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20210824005649\/en\/901113\/4\/693609346_WBI_BusinessWire_graphics-01.jpg\")
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[2]<\/sup><\/span> As of June 30, 2021.
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[3]<\/sup><\/span> Ethisphere Institute, 2021.
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[4]<\/sup><\/span> Pensions & Investments, 2020.\n<\/p>\n
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Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800-247-1737, member SIPC and\/or independent broker\/-dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group\u00ae<\/sup>, Des Moines, IA 50392. Principal Global Investors leads global asset management and is a member of the Principal Financial Group\u00ae<\/sup>.
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\u00a9 2021 Principal Financial Services, Des Moines, IA 50392, USA.\n<\/p>\n
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