A new report from MissionSquare Research Institute sheds light on the financial independence expectations of American teenagers. The study, titled "Expectations for Achieving Financial Independence among American Teenagers," explores how financial education, demographic factors and financial concerns influence teens' confidence in achieving financial independence.

A new report from MissionSquare Research Institute finds student loan debt influences job acceptance decisions for 56 percent of public sector employees and 62 percent of private sector employees. The data also reveals that student loan debt negatively affects employee retention. Employees with student debt are less likely to remain with their current employer compared to those without student debt (39 percent vs. 61 percent), with a more pronounced impact in the public sector.

A national survey conducted by MissionSquare Research Institute reveals that 43 percent of Hispanic employees in state and local government worry about having enough money to live comfortably in retirement. This figure is significantly higher than that of white (33 percent) and African American (25 percent) employees.

A recent national survey conducted by MissionSquare Research Institute highlights that women in public service roles are significantly more concerned about their finances compared to their male colleagues. The survey shows that 43 percent of female state and local government employees are uneasy about their emergency savings, and 41 percent are apprehensive about having enough money for retirement. In contrast, only 30 percent of men share these concerns.

A new national survey of public service employees from MissionSquare Research Institute reveals the vast majority of public employees (81 percent) are concerned they won't have enough money to last throughout their retirement years. Additionally, 78 percent say they won't have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, and only 9 percent say the benefits provided through their employer are "very sufficient" to meet their retirement needs.

A new report from MissionSquare Research Institute reveals that 93 percent of private sector employees and 89 percent of public sector workers with student loans consider their debt levels problematic. As personal finances become the biggest source of stress across both the public and private sectors, student loans are considered a major problem by more than 44 percent of U.S. workers who carry student debt.

The overall financial wellbeing of women working in state and local government is mixed, with both positive indicators and troubling challenges according to a new report from MissionSquare Research Institute.

After years of unprecedented workforce shortages, state and local governments are finally experiencing some relief in recruitment challenges. Key occupations, including information technology, dispatch, and policing, have seen a decline of at least 10 percentage points since 2022 in the share of governments reporting these positions as hard to fill. However, a significant workforce issue still looms: the impending wave of public service worker retirements.

A new research brief from MissionSquare Research Institute compares the sentiment of younger public service employees by occupation, including those who work in education, health care, public safety and other professions. The research details attitudes of public employees aged 35 and under about their views on their finances, employer benefits, morale, job satisfaction and long-term career plans.

A new research brief from MissionSquare Research Institute compares the sentiment of younger public service employees by race and ethnicity. This research is published at a time when many state and local government officials are working to attract younger workers to public service careers while also strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion in their agencies.

A new report from MissionSquare Research Institute provides an in-depth analysis of student loan debt levels among state and local government public service positions. The research identifies varied levels of student loan debt associated with specific state and local government jobs that deliver essential public services in communities across the nation.

A new research brief by MissionSquare Research Institute comparing the sentiment of younger public service employees by gender reveals only 23 percent of women feel very financially secure as compared to 43 percent of men. This research comes as state and local governments continue to struggle drawing younger workers into public service careers.

A groundbreaking report by MissionSquare Research Institute sheds light on the experiences of younger public service employees. The findings indicate that most individuals aged 35 and under (64 percent) hold positive morale regarding their jobs, expressing satisfaction with their job security, community service and the quality of their colleagues. Moreover, the majority (70 percent) believe that their benefits compensation is competitive in the labor market.

State and local governments continue to face severe labor shortages and are deploying new strategies to attract and retain public service workers. State and local governments hired more full-time or part-time staff in 2022 than in 2021, but it was more common for agencies to report that quits and retirements increased rather than decreased. Jurisdictions also reported deploying new strategies to widen the pool of job candidates, such as dropping degree requirements (46 percent for state agencies) for some positions.

As inflation and economic turmoil linger, a new report from MissionSquare Research Institute finds 88 percent of public service employees are worried about their finances and financial decisions. Among those who worry, 77 percent report doing so while at work, an increase from 66 percent in 2019.