EWA then vs now:
The surprising results are in.

Everest Group surveyed 100+ HR, payroll, and finance leaders to uncover what today’s employers actually need from EWA.

10 years in, earned wage access (EWA) is evolving beyond basic access. Employers want outcomes. Employees want more than early pay. Based on a new survey of 100+ senior HR, payroll, and finance leaders, Everest Group research points to a shift toward EWA as a feature—not a standalone fix.

Inside, you’ll see a blueprint for what’s next:

  • 77% of employers offer EWA for financial wellness, but most can’t prove outcomes

  • A side-by-side look at the traditional vs. emerging EWA model

  • What enterprise-ready EWA looks like in 2026: zero-cost, payroll integrated, outcome-driven

Download the report below to learn what changed, what didn’t, and what’s next for enterprise EWA.

* Everest Group, The Reinvention of Earned Wage Access (EWA), January 2026.

Ready to see how EWA has changed? Download the report today.