14 May 2026
When it comes to financial wellbeing, the challenge isn’t always the numbers - it’s understanding what those numbers mean.
At a recent roundtable hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com, Lee Coles, Senior Financial Wellbeing Consultant at Verlingue, shared real-world examples that highlight a common issue: employees often lack clarity about their financial position, leading to unnecessary stress, poor decisions, or missed opportunities.
In one case, an employee came to a pension clinic convinced she had to work until 67. But after a quick review, it turned out she could retire at 63 - and she was only months away from it.
In another example, someone thought they had £20,000 a year in extra income. In reality, it was a £20,000 pension pot - which is a very different situation.
These examples underline an important point:
Financial wellbeing is not just a benefit - it’s a business risk consideration.
Poor financial understanding can affect:
Mental and physical health
Workplace engagement and productivity
Long-term financial decision-making
As Lee explains, financial wellbeing should be treated with the same strategic importance as other workplace policies - not as a standalone initiative or ‘nice to have’.
“Without a clear framework, organisations often rely on ad hoc solutions - which can be inefficient and miss the bigger picture.”
A structured financial wellbeing policy helps organisations move beyond one-off interventions, creating a consistent approach that supports employees at every stage of their financial journey. At Verlingue, we work with businesses to develop practical, tailored financial wellbeing programmes - helping employees build confidence, improve understanding, and make informed decisions about their future.
Read all the insights at TheBusinessDesk.com.
Any decisions about pensions, retirement planning or any financial products should be made with support from a regulated financial adviser. Verlingue’s financial wellbeing services focus on improving understanding and confidence, and does not replace personalised, regulated financial advice. The information in this article is for general guidance and educational purposes only, and does not constitute financial advice. Examples are illustrative and based on individual circumstances that may not apply to all employees.