From Crisis to Catalyst: Turning Student Debt Chaos into Your Strategic Advantage

The Perfect Storm Facing Your Employees (And Your Organization)

Student loan borrowers are entering uncharted territory in 2026. 

With involuntary collections and administrative wage garnishment resuming soon, and new legislation via the One Big Beautiful Bill ushering in sweeping changes in July, millions of employees face financial decisions that will impact their stability for years to come. For HR leaders, this isn't just an employee wellbeing issue — it's a retention risk, a productivity concern, and an opportunity to differentiate your organization when it matters most.

In this interactive session, we'll decode what's actually happening in the student debt landscape, why the next six months represent a critical window, and how forward-thinking organizations are responding. You'll discover why leading employers are using student debt as the entry point to comprehensive financial wellness — not as a standalone benefit, but as the connective tissue to retirement optimization (SECURE 2.0 matching), emergency savings, and college planning. We'll share real results from organizations like yours, including a 39% reduction in turnover, $337/month in average employee savings, and how one nonprofit unlocked $8.9M in projected impact. Whether you're exploring financial wellness for the first time or looking to evolve your current approach, you'll leave with practical frameworks, implementation timelines, and clarity on how to move from reactive to strategic in 2026.

About the Speaker:

Michael Sowa, Candidly

Michael is a Director of Strategic Partnerships at Candidly, responsible for forging relationships between brokers, advisors, and consultants as well as their home offices in order to bring Candidly's industry-leading solutions to their clients and ultimately American workers. He has over a decade of experience in the benefits industry, focusing on retirement and financial wellness.