Sunny Day Fund ??

A heartfelt thank you to The New York Times for letting our Founder and CEO, Sid Pailla ??, share his story. 37% of Americans tapped their #retirement savings early, driven by low emergency savings and growing #debt, according to Transamerica’s 23rd Annual Retirement Survey of Workers. With student loan payments set to resume next month, many are anxious about the added financial burden. The silver lining here is this challenge?opens the door for employers to provide critical support, such as financial wellness programs. If you only read one article from the New York Times, read this on the future of your financial security. Keep in mind: retirement and #emergencysavings aren't separate issues; they both are fundamental to building household wealth and improving their short- and long-term financial security. https://lnkd.in/g9_FvyHe #Data source: https://lnkd.in/eEvtWDhB #401k #hr #employeebenefits #totalrewards #studentloan

Before that turkey coma hits, take 2 minutes to catch up on all the sunny happenings here...??

Financial stress costs businesses more than you think. Here’s what happens behind the scenes: Day 1: An employee gets hit with an unexpected expense—a car repair or medical bill. Week 1: They’re stressed, distracted, and trying to find quick fixes like payday loans or credit cards. Week 3: Productivity drops. Financial anxiety turns into absenteeism or even resignation. Employee Relief Funds (ERFs) might help in the moment, but they don’t solve the deeper problem. That’s where Workplace Emergency Savings Accounts (ESAs) come in. → Employees build their own financial safety net, with 82% of ESA participants increasing their contributions over time. → Employers see 25-33% improvement in retention, saving greatly on hiring and training costs. → Stress goes down, engagement goes up, and fewer employees dip into 401(k)s—protecting both short- and long-term financial health. Financial wellness is about more than quick fixes—it’s about building resilience for the future. What steps can you take to support your team’s financial health? Learn more in our latest blog. Link in the comments. #FinancialWellness #EmployeeRetention #WorkplaceSolutions

$260 billion! That’s how much financial stress costs U.S. businesses every year in lost productivity and absenteeism. Think about what’s happening in your workforce right now. Employees are dealing with unexpected bills—car repairs, medical expenses, or emergencies—and many don’t have the savings to cover them. Financial stress makes them more likely to miss work, lose focus, or disengage entirely. Here’s what the data shows: ? Financially stressed employees miss 6.2 workdays per year, compared to 3.8 days for others. ? They spend three hours a week during work hours managing personal financial issues, which lowers productivity. ? 78% of employers report higher absenteeism and reduced engagement directly tied to financial stress. This can be a major challenge for businesses already feeling the strain of absenteeism and low morale. ESAs can help employees handle unexpected expenses by giving them a financial safety net. Employers offering ESAs as part of wellness programs have seen a 23% drop in absenteeism and better engagement. Addressing financial stress could be the first step toward solving absenteeism and disengagement problems. Learn more about how ESAs can help in our blog. Link in the comments. #FinancialWellness #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceProductivity #ESABenefits

58% turnover. 44% productivity loss. One emergency, and it all spirals. For hourly workers, financial stress isn’t just a burden. It’s a breaking point. One flat tire or unexpected bill, and they’re drowning. Missed shifts. Missed paychecks. Missed opportunities. Turnover in these roles can hit 58% or higher, crushing morale and your bottom line. So, what do we do? A gift card? A bonus? That might get a thank-you—but does it fix anything? Hardly. The real fix: Emergency Savings Accounts. The results prove it: ? 28% turnover with ESAs vs. 79% without. ? 6.64% retention boost in nonprofits with ESAs. ? 92% of Gen Z and 85% of Millennials say they’ll stay for financial wellness benefits. This isn’t just a feel-good move. It’s real ROI. Because when you give employees a real shot at financial resilience, you get loyalty, focus, and performance. Ditch the bandaids. Build a safety net. Let’s solve this together. Head over to our latest blog to learn how. Link in the comments.?? #EmergencySavings #RetentionMatters #WorkplaceWellness #ESAsInAction

The Workers’ Wealth Lab, hosted by The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program and Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA), is where innovation meets action! This dynamic event brings together employers, benefits pioneers, financial providers, policymakers, and more to tackle a critical challenge: offering workers more affordable liquidity solutions while strengthening their retirement readiness. Our Founder and CEO, Sid Pailla ??, is on the ground, contributing to transformative conversations that could add tens of thousands of dollars to workers’ retirement balances. Joining him is Manifest’s CEO, Anuraag Tripathi, as they shape the future of financial security for the modern workforce. Excited to see the ripple effects of these powerful discussions! Let’s build a more financially resilient future together. #WorkersWealthLab #FinancialSecurity #RetirementSavings #FutureOfWork

Stop. ?? Pointing. ?? People. ?? To. ?? The 401(k) ?? In. ?? Emergencies. All the intentions in this quagmire are good, but what’s best for employees? How do we best serve them? The 401(k) is not an #emergencysavingsaccount. It was never designed to be that. So let’s get something that is designed to be a first line of defense when we see employee raiding their future. Why are we still doing this? It’s just THE most expensive way to create #liquidity. This is too heavy for employees. And it doesn’t need to be. There’s a better way. #TheRightToolForTheJob #ESA #401k

At Sunny Day Fund, we love seeing leaders prioritize their people—and that’s exactly what Fidelis Wealth Advisors and its Founder and CEO, Sam Tenney, CFP?, AIF?, are doing. As a trusted retirement plan advisor, Sam knows the value of leading by example. Before introducing Sunny Day Fund to his business clients, he’s ensuring his own team experiences the benefits first. As he puts it: “Does anyone benefit more from having their team members excel emotionally, financially, physically than the employer?” Through this partnership, Fidelis Wealth Advisors is tackling financial stress head-on. By giving their team the tools to save for emergencies, they’re reaffirming their commitment to their people. “We want our team to know we have their back,” says Sam. Sam is excited to share Sunny Day Fund with his clients, extending this culture of care even further. Thank you, Fidelis, for choosing to lead with purpose. Together, we’re building financial resilience and trust, one team at a time. #FinancialWellness #WorkplaceSavings #LeadershipInAction #EmployeeBenefits

Our founder and CEO, Sid Pailla ??, recently attended Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA)’s Retirement Research Center and Academic Forum at Goldman Sachs in New York City. It was an inspiring gathering of thought leaders tackling challenges and opportunities in workforce financial wellness. Here are some takeaways from the event: ? Universal vs. tailored tools: Solutions like emergency savings and retirement accounts work broadly, but options like managed accounts need to match employee needs more precisely. ? Decumulation focus: Helping retirees manage savings effectively post-retirement is a top priority for recordkeepers and sponsors. ? Caregiving challenges: Childcare and caregiving strain savings efforts, forcing many households to prioritize survival over long-term goals. ? AI and data: AI’s potential in financial wellness depends on full, accurate data to deliver effective personalization. ? Health and wealth: These are deeply linked—financial stability supports better health outcomes and vice versa. ? Adapting to change: Leaders must stay nimble amidst geopolitical shifts and technological progress to solve long-term challenges. These highlights reinforce a fundamental truth: financial wellness isn’t isolated. It’s interconnected with broader health, caregiving, and technological factors. For employers, this means staying proactive with solutions like emergency savings accounts, which empower workers to build resilience while addressing their holistic needs. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. #FinancialWellness #EmergencySavings #WorkplaceBenefits #DCIIAForum

Offering a 401(k) or health insurance? Great. But here’s why it might not be enough. Financial stress doesn’t stop at medical bills or retirement worries. Unexpected car repairs, home issues, or sudden expenses can hit any employee hard. 72% of workers feel unprepared for these situations, and 87% say they’d save more if their employer offered support. Without emergency savings, employees often resort to borrowing from retirement accounts or high-interest credit options, which worsen financial stress. For those with HSAs, penalties on non-medical withdrawals add even more pressure. The result? Higher turnover, distracted workers, and lower morale. Pairing ESAs with existing benefits like retirement plans and HSAs creates a powerful safety net. Add financial wellness programs and employer matching, and employees gain both tools and motivation to save. This holistic approach reduces financial anxiety while boosting loyalty and productivity. Combining ESAs with other benefits can improve financial protection, engagement, and retention. It’s time to rethink benefits. Learn how to create a winning package in our blog. Link in the comments. #EmployeeBenefits #FinancialWellness #EmergencySavings #WorkplaceWellness