The Nest Insight report, decoded: what it means for benefits, payroll and financial wellbeing
5 key takeaways from Nest Insight’s latest report (and why they matter to your benefits strategy)
Everyone in payroll, HR and employee benefits is talking about it - and for good reason. Nest Insight’s Easier to Save report (off the back of a trial involving >70,000 employees) is the most detailed, data-backed look at how payroll-linked savings schemes could work at scale in the UK.
But if you haven’t had time to read all 90+ pages, don’t worry - we have.
And we’ve pulled out the five key takeaways that matter most if you're shaping a benefits strategy in 2025.
1. Employees want payroll savings - and most would use them
“89% of employees said they wanted their employer to offer a payroll savings option.”
That’s a huge number, and a clear signal that employees are actively looking for ways to build financial resilience at work.
This isn’t about “nice to have” benefits. It’s about making saving the easiest possible choice for your people, especially during a cost-of-living crisis that continues to affect every income bracket.
Sync takeaway
Payroll savings aren’t just appreciated - they’re expected. If your benefits strategy doesn’t include them yet, it’s time to take a fresh look.
2. Simplicity = high take-up
In the trials featured in the report, employers who offered easy opt-in flows - often as part of onboarding or through clear digital comms - saw take-up rates as high as 64%.
That’s significantly higher than the typical 10–15% seen in older workplace savings schemes.
Sync takeaway
How you implement payroll savings matters. Seamless integration with payroll systems and clear employee comms drive engagement from day one.
3. The right language boosts engagement
The report found that the words you use can make or break participation. Terms like “emergency savings” and “safety net” resonated far more with employees than jargon-heavy alternatives like “liquidity buffers”.
In short: people want to feel understood - not spoken down to.
Sync takeaway
We work closely with our partners to craft human, relevant messaging that connects. Because engagement doesn’t start with a policy, it starts with language.
4. It works even without employer contributions
One of the most surprising (and encouraging) findings:
“Most employees saved regularly without needing financial incentives from their employer.”
This is great news for stretched HR and finance teams. It means you can support long-term employee wellbeing without needing to increase your spend.
Sync takeaway
Payroll savings deliver meaningful impact - at a fraction of the cost of financial coaching or earned wage access schemes.
5. Leadership buy-in makes a big difference
In organisations where payroll savings were positioned as a core part of the wellbeing strategy (with visible senior support), employees took the scheme more seriously - and engaged more actively.
Where it was a side-project or lightly promoted? Results were mixed.
Sync takeaway
When leadership cares, people follow. We help HR and payroll teams build the internal case for savings, with clear ROI data and strategic messaging.
So, what does this mean for you?
The data is clear. Payroll savings schemes are:
✅ In demand
✅ Easy to implement
✅ Cost-effective
✅ Proven to drive real impact
If you're looking for a way to support your people, reduce financial stress, and improve engagement without adding complexity or cost… this is it.
Let’s make financial wellbeing a reality - not just a line on your HR roadmap.
See you next payslip!
The Sync Team
